Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

Which one should I use? She has been on Similac Advance since the hospital and I only have like 3 more days left of what they gave me so I need to go pick some up.

I dont even understand how each works. Can you explain why you like one or the other? Is one more convenient than the other?

Also after a bottle is heated, how long will it be good for at room temp before I have to throw it out. And how long will a made bottle last in the fridge?

Sorry for the dumb questions, I am a lil oblivious right now LOL

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

We use the liquid. I find it easier and faster than mixing the powder, plus you dont need bottled or brita water. They sell 4oz bottles for when you are out and about.

Once open, a bottle of the liquid is good for 72 hours. In the container or a bottle.

In a bottle, I usually only keep it out for one hour. Then toss it. Dont save it once its in the bottle if its not used.

HTH

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

I preferred the powered b/c it was more convienent for us (though if we were going out we would sometimes get the small RTF.)

I hated heating up formula. DS would be screaming, then it wasn't warm enough or it would take too long. Was a PITA to me. We would premeasure water in bottles, and use a formula dispenser. When we needed the bottle, just pour in and shake.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

In the very beginning we used the RTF and then when he got older we switched to powder. It was just easier for us.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

it's really preference. I use both - The only difference is that there is some research showing that liquid formulas are "better" because of the lipids "fat" used in the formula. However, there is no nutritional significance.

I find that BF babies do better on powder - b/c it is thinner and more like BM. RTF is better for babies that are happy spitters, b/c it is slightly thicker.

I find powder just as convient as RTF.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

I've used both and prefer the powdered formula. After the rtf formula is opened, you have to refrigerate it. Then it was such a pain to heat it back to at least room temp especially since they say you shouldn't heat bottles in the microwave. I premeasure the water too like the pp. Then its just shake in the powder and voila. I think you shouldn't use either formula if it's been out for more than one hour. It starts to smell anyway so you would probably realize. DD drinks all her formula at room temp so its super quick to prepare with bottled water I leave on the counter.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

We used RTF when we first brought DS home because they have the 2oz bottles they gave us at the hospital. Once he was taking in more, we tried the RTF route again but IMO it was a pain in the you know what to heat the bottles when you have a screaming infant ready to eat.

The powder is easy, no need to put in the fridge or heat, we just add room temp water and ready to go.

Powder is cheaper as well

Some Mom's say their LO likes RTF vs. Powder or vice versa, but we switched and DS had no preference.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

We always use the powder (except when Similac had their recall and powder wasn't available). My DH couldn't remember to put the Brita pitcher back in the fridge at night so if he left out a bottle of formula as much as left out the pitcher we would have wasted a ton of money. I also found the powder to be easier when on the go. I wouldn't have to worry about keeping the bottle cold.

Once I heat up a bottle, or make a bottle with room temp I usually kept it out no more than 2 hours.

If a bottle was made in advance I would keep it in the fridge up to 24 hours.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

it really depends on your needs. Both require some work but very minimal.

I compared cost wise and we were losing a few cent per ounce when choose RTF over Powder..

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

We started with liquid but switched to powder...its cheaper

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

RTF is easier, but we go with the powdered b/c it's cheaper

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

My granddaughters pediatrician told my daughter to keep her on ready to feed for at least the first 2 mos. She said if you don't mix the powder/water exactly the baby won't be getting the full nutritional value of the formula (possibly too much water or too much powder)

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

We use powder because I've found that RTF is too thick & creates too much foam which causes my DS to get awful gas pains.

I have the Dr Browns mixing pitcher & premake 32oz formula (I live in queens so I can use water straight from the tap but I did boil all water the first 6 months) The premade formula in the pitcher will go in the fridge & it's good in there for 24 hours although I've sometimes let it go a little longer & he was fine.
Then I'll pour what he needs into a bottle & since he likes it warm, I'll heat the bottle in a pot of hot water. If we go out, I'll take the bottle & let it adjust to room temp before giving it to him.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

I do powder cause it's cheaper and it's a bit thicker - my DD spits up like crazy and the RTF is too thin.
It's a bit of a pain but we make it in batches and it takes 5 minutes

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

The powder is cheaper. We bought the Dr. Brown's pitcher and make 32 oz. at once and pre-measure the bottles and keep them in the fridge. We do have a bottle warmer that takes less than 5 minutes or I take it out ahead of time to come to room temp.

Once formula is prepared it should be used or refrigerated up to 24 hours.

I do use the liquid also. Thats good for when we travel for the weekends. My dd dos not care which she gets.

When she was little we bought the rtf like the ones from the hospital for night feedings. They sell the 4 oz. bottles. As soon as she dropped them or they got less we just did the powdered.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

too thin? too thick? make up your minds

For me, its more like this, I wouldn't touch powdered milk, I love milk. So why would I give my child powdered formula. Its a very stupid reason, but its mine!

It's a personal decision, I don't think you can go wrong either way. Also some have told me that poweder makes their DS more gassy.

It depends on the formula, read the label, some last in the fridge for 3 days, some for only 2 some for only 1.

Message edited 12/16/2010 6:17:36 PM.

Re: Pre-made liquid or Powder formula

I use the RTF and dd loves it!! I used the powder for a few months but I also bought RTF and noticed that dd was sleeping better with the RTF. I assume b/c it's thicker than powder. I tried goin back to powder but her sleep pattern was off therefore, I went back to RTF. RTF is more expensive BUT it's so worth it me!