Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

1.) How warm does the water have to be? I will be using regular tap water but I have to boil it first. How long should it boil?

Then once I prepare a few bottles (mostly for night feedings, what is the quickest way to warm it up? I have a bottle warmer but I'm just asking just in case the bottle warmer doesn't work as it supposed to.

Would it be ok to warm it up by putting hot water in a bowl and placing the bottle in it for a few minutes?

2.) I was reading directions on a can of powder formula and it said for example for a 2oz. feeding to fill a bottle with 2 fluid oz of water., that's the same as 2 oz right?

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

1-
The temp of the water depends on the formula - read the label. I went thru a few different formulas and they were all different.

I used a big cup with hot water. Did the job.

2- Yes that's 2oz

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I never boiled the water first, I either used room temperature bottled water to mix it with or I used my bottle warmer - did the trick :)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I always boiled the water for 5 minutes just to be on the safe side. -- generally, I'd do it to where it was hot enough to melt the powder, but cool enough to where it wouldn't melt the inserts, then store them in the fridge.

To warm a bottle, I put it in a tall mug and run hot tap water on it for about a minute. Friendly reminder -- always run the cold water for a bit when done so that the next person to wash their hands doesn't get burned. I've done that many many times during nighttime feedings -- not fun.

For each bottle, put the water in first, then the powder (1 scoop for each 2 oz of water). We used Good Start -- not sure if other brands have the same measurements. Put the water in first as putting the powder in first may throw off your water measurement a bit.

HTH!

Message edited 5/23/2006 9:37:17 AM.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I use room temp bottled water. easy and no problems.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I read something recently that said you should only boil the water for a minute.

I HIGHLY suggest you use room temp. water - it will make your life easier down the line (like when you are out and can't heat the bottle).

I boil the water at night - wait for it to cool a bit - then fill her bottles for the next day. Now that she is down to 3-4 bottles a day, I pack 2 in her diaper bag - bring one upstairs with me in case I need it during the night or in the am -and the last I keep on the kitchen counter for her last feeding of the day.


eta: I like to use a formula blender to mix it right in the bottle - it's only like $4.00 - bought it at buy buy baby.

Message edited 5/22/2006 8:32:24 PM.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I can tell you what I did and it was very easy.

I boiled water for all the bottles for the day approx 8 in the beginning.

Filled each bottle up and set them aside so they would be room temp.

Just took the bottle I needed and prepared the bottle

For the night feedings I used the powder dispenser with four compartments and measured out the powder for each bottle ond kept it in my room so I didnt even have to get out of bed excerpt to change her diaper - I just washed the bottes the next day

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I boil the water in an electric kettle and then just use it as I need it, although I do let it cool down a LOT before using it. I have to boil it at least 2-3 hours before we use it because it stays hot for a while.

As far as heating a cooled bottle -- I just put it in a big coffee mug, put the mug in the sink under the tap and run it with warm water for a few minutes. THat's the easiest way.

Also in the beginning I pre-mixed all my bottles and heated it up as needed but now I find it easier to just mix as w eneed them.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

After my first child, I learned that the whole routine of making bottles in advance and warming them up, especially in the middle of the night, was not the easiest way. The best way I found is to quickly heat 1/2 the water (ie, 2 oz of water if you are giving a 4 oz bottle) and then use 2 oz of cold filtered water. It was always the perfect temperature and 2 oz of water heats a heck of alot faster than heating a cold bottle. 20-25 seconds in the microwave in a measuring cup and them pour it into the bottle with the cold water and powder and shake. The only problem I found with using the room temp bottled water was that with some of the formulas like Alimentum or Nutramigen, you needed to have the water a bit warmer to be able to get the formula to mix well.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

I used boiled water as well. They say you shouldn't boil it for more than a minute because it can concentrate some thing (I forget what specifically) Usually I kept a tea kettle on the stove which I boiled in the morning and that lasted through the day. I mostly gave it to him at room temp. Sometimes I would micro the water for 20 secs then add the powder.

Re: Powder Formula Question...(2 of them)

If you use bottled water and keep it at room temperature do you still have to warm the bottle a little? or just give it to him.

Does the bottle have to be warm even when you use room temp bottled water.