Pre-making formula :)

**MissWinter** · 27-07-2010 07:55

Hi all

So we've just put DD on bottles, formula until my BM comes in.

We're feeding her Nan HA Gold, and it says not to pre-make formula...

I know a heap of people who do this though, and have been told its fine... is this true?

It's just extremely difficult to manouvre a hungry newborn and making a bottle from scratch in the middle of the night (lol, of course!)

Thanks!

xx

**2Pink4Me** · 27-07-2010 08:09

Hi! Congratulations on bub!

As far as pre-making formula goes, I wouldn't. Maybe get premeasured sterilised bottles of cool, boiled water already in the fridge so you can just spoon the formula in.

I'm not too sure how putting her on formula will help your milk come in though?

Good luck!

**Blairysmum** · 27-07-2010 08:13

My dd has formula through the night and I have the bottle with water in it in the microwave and the time set so all I have to do is hit a button I then add the powder!! I don't know about not being allowed to pre make bottles I wouldn't but hey I know you are aloud to reuse left over milk within a 24 hour period so.... I don't know!!
Sorry I was no help at all just had a ramble!

**MissWinter** · 27-07-2010 08:23

oh so its safe to microwave pre sterilsed water? how long for?

**Bumble** · 27-07-2010 08:29

Why are you giving bottles if you plan on breast feeding ? YOur baby is missing important colostrm and also may have prolems taking the breast after taking bottles .

As for pre made bottles , for my eldest i used to have her bottles filled with the water on the benchs then as needed add formula then pop it in a milk shake metal tall cup of hot water for a few mins

**Tenyrmiracle** · 27-07-2010 08:37

When DD was first born, we premade her formula for night feeds (the hospital does this too). It can be stored up to 24hrs (only if it hasn't been contaminated by baby drinking out of it) but we never did it for more than 8hrs. Because it needs to be warm when you mix it you should only reheat once. When she was sleeping through the night I just made up sterilised water bottles. I still do. Pull it out of the fridge and heat it in her bottle warmer. I don't use a microwave but can understand people doing so as it's a lot faster.

**chuppa chup** · 27-07-2010 08:41

I wouldn't pre-make. You have to be careful with formula as it contains probiotics etc. BM is different as its naturally antibacterial.

If you are planning on BF, the more you get bub to boob the quicker it will come in...... should be any day now.

**MissWinter** · 27-07-2010 08:42

Bumble: DD wasn't attaching, and was basically being starved. I'm now hand expressing what I can as she wasn't stimulating my supply, and will be bottle feeding EBM when it comes it. I don't have enough to feed her myself.

Thanks Tenyr

**DanceInTheRain** · 27-07-2010 09:36

Have you seen a lactation consultant? How do you know you don't have enough milk when it hasn't even come in yet?

If you want her to be formula fed, go for it! But if you want to breastfeed then giving formula at this most crucial time is the worst thing you can do!

Instead I would be spending as much time as possible skin to skin and see a lactation consultant to help her get correct attatchment. The only way to build supply is for your baby to suckle as much as possible.

If she takes a bottle ok but will not attach at the breast, have you tried nipple shields? I didn't have much colostrum and my son wouldn't attach properly and was fussy at the breast. I was having to manually express and syringe or bottle feed what little colostrum I could get. I used nipple shields for about 3 or 4 days over which time my milk came in. I tried offering my nipple with no shield and he took it like a pro and we have been breastfeeding successfully ever since!

It is normal for them to lose weight after birth, my son went down 200 grams within a few days cause he was barely eating but after perservering he started to put on weight at a normal rate and is thriving

**Bellini** · 27-07-2010 09:59

Originally Posted by Alisgirl

Have you seen a lactation consultant? How do you know you don't have enough milk when it hasn't even come in yet?

If you want her to be formula fed, go for it! But if you want to breastfeed then giving formula at this most crucial time is the worst thing you can do!

Instead I would be spending as much time as possible skin to skin and see a lactation consultant to help her get correct attatchment. The only way to build supply is for your baby to suckle as much as possible.

If she takes a bottle ok but will not attach at the breast, have you tried nipple shields? I didn't have much colostrum and my son wouldn't attach properly and was fussy at the breast. I was having to manually express and syringe or bottle feed what little colostrum I could get. I used nipple shields for about 3 or 4 days over which time my milk came in. I tried offering my nipple with no shield and he took it like a pro and we have been breastfeeding successfully ever since!

It is normal for them to lose weight after birth, my son went down 200 grams within a few days cause he was barely eating but after perservering he started to put on weight at a normal rate and is thriving

I agree, please see a lactation consultant and get some tips about attachment and some info on the workings of milk supply. You won't be doing your breastfeeding relationship any favours by giving her formula like this.

I am writing this because you sound as though you want to breastfeed bub. If you want to formula feed, then completely ignore my post.

Oh and I would be making formula fresh every time, especially for a newborn.