Large batches of formula?

[mtmom30]

I just weaned DD from bf, so I'm new to bottle feeding and have some dumb questions.  Is it okay to make up large batches of formula and then pour it into bottles as the day proceeds?  If so, what sort of containers can you use for shaking the formula?  Does stirring work, or is it tough to get the lumps out that way?
If making up bottles ahead of time isn't advisable, are there any time-saving tricks you can suggest?

TIA

[Sarahboh]

hello,

I have found the easiest way for me to have bottles ready is to fill them with the amount of water you are using and then as you need them just add the scoops of formula into the bottle, shake and feed. Everyday I wash my bottles in the morning and fill them with the water, for example, Ella usually has 6 ounce water bottles filled to 3 scoops of formula, if I need to make more or less then I either add more water or dump it out. This way the water only sits in the bottles for max 1-2 days before being used. Also, Ella likes them at room temp only so I leave a few upstairs close to her bedroom with a can of formula so I don't have to run downstairs to the kitchen all the time. Hope this helps!

[Tonya]

I ALWAYS made a pitcher full of formula, and then filled 8 or so bottles at a time.  The formula lasts pre-made at 2-3 days, so based upon how much lo was eating at the time, I'd make a pitcher of 2 days worth.

The best thing I found was to make sure my water was either room temperature, or boiled and then cooled (but still a bit warm).  The WORST to try to mix formula with is cold water!!!

I'd put the number of scoops in a pitcher I needed, then the water, and then mix with a whisk.  It seemed to make it MUCH easier to get rid of those lumps!!! Also, even though the whisk puts air in it, since the formula is in the pitcher, it has time to settle.  I always let it settle an hour or so in the fridge, then used a regular spoon or even the whisk again to restir, then pour 8-10 bottles.  It made for MUCH less dishwashing at my house!!!!!  I wouldnt have it any other way!!!

[tylersmommy]

I always made a big batch first thing in the morning. I used a big plastic jug with a screw-on lid, I think I found it with the tupperware at the store. I liked it because I could just shake it to mix, and that ensured there weren't any lumps. I'd let it sit in the fridge for a bit to let the bubbles settle down and I'd just pour what I needed into a bottle at each feed. It was much more convenient and easier to get rid of the lumps.

[Leah's Mom]

Pampered Chef makes a great pitcher - the Quick Stir Pitcher. Works awesome for mixing large batches of formula.

[Duckie]

I remember this well for some reason, even though making up bottles was dh's job!

DH would take Andrew up for his bath in the evening and I would boil the kettle and sterilize the bottles.  By the time we were done getting Andrew ready for bed (diaper on, pj's, story) the water would finish boiling and the bottles would be sterilized (auto shut off kettle and bottle sterilizer).

While I was giving the last bottle of the night, dh would make up the bottles for the next day.  It was his thing and he was better than I was at getting the lumps out.  Don't ask me WHAT he did!

[ryan's mum]

we just made up the bottles last thing at night , just enough for the next day , keep them in the fridge till feed time , then warm and feed . we never had problems with lumps , we put colled boiled water in the bottles then the scoops of formula and shake well. just before a feed give another shake and warm.
 

SARAHBOH :- here in the u.k we are advised to use 1oz water to 1 scoop of formula ! if you don't use this ratio they say formula causes tummy upset. when Ryan was constipated we were told we could add 1 extra oz of water to the mixture but not to do it for longer than a week.

[Lªuren]

I always make up individual bottles last thing at night as well, I have heard my HV talking about making up a pitcher. I would be frightened I wasn't giving him enough in the bottle. Because the formula bulks up the volume a bit, it always confused me, HV said to go by the scoops I put in not the resulting volume inthe bottle.

[kgmf123]

Hello,

In the UK they have just updated the guidelines for making up formula.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2005/nov/infantformulastatementnov05

HTH

[Sarahboh]

Ryan's mum-just to clarify, the formula we use here in Canada is made so you do 1 scoop to every two ounces as the scoop is larger than if it was one scoop to to one ounce water. It's sometimes a litte inconvenient because if you only want to make one ounce, you can't because you would just be estimating the amount of powder, so I must say the system of one scoop to one ounce of water is much easier. Hope I clarifed that