New here....Got some questions :)

Bethee wrote: Hi all! I am brand new to the board so thought I would introduce myself before bombarding you with questions My name is Beth...I have been married to my DH for 4 years this September and we have two beautiful daughters. My older daughter is Grace and she was 18 months on May 25. My younger daughter is 5 weeks old tomorrow..She was born on May 23 (3 weeks early) - her name is Katherine. I'm looking forward to learning some new things and also maybe to give some advice too!

My first question is about bottle feeding. With dd#1 I breastfed her exclusively for 10 months. She refused the bottle until she decided she would wean herself at 10 months and took the bottle without any problems at that point.

This time around we have given Katherine one bottle each day (usually after she's breastfed if she appears to need some more to eat) just to get her use to it so i'm not so tied to her like i was with dd#1. Thing is i don't know all the ins and outs with formula feeding a newborn. So to get to my point here's my questions...

How often do I need to sterilize her bottles/nipples etc?
I'm using powder formula so typically will just put 2oz of water and a scoop of formula in the bottle, then heat it and feed the baby right away...But i'm wondering how long the formula would be good for before it would be spoiled? It says on the formula container to feed immediately and discard the rest....Is that really the case?? Also, if i'm going out somewhere and mix up some formula am I able to heat it and then put it in one of those cooler bags (the ones that keep things warm or cold) and would that be alright for the formula or should I wait to heat it right before she's ready to eat??

I feel like such a newbie when it comes to bottle feeding! I'm so comfortable with breastfeeding, but feel inadequate when it comes to formula feeding! (probably the opposite of what most people think!)

Anyways, thanks for any help/hints you can give me!

Beth

PrairieMom replied:

CantWait replied: It's been so long since I bottlefed so I'll leave this one to someone else. I did want to say hello though

My3LilMonkeys replied: Well, this depends strictly on your baby's preference, buy I always fed my girls their bottles at room temperature. I would keep a jug of water on the counter and just mix as needed. It was easier for going out too - I would just fill the bottles with water and toss a can of formula in the diaper bag.

As for sterilization, I used to do it once a week - but I exclusively bottle fed so I think you could probably get away with doing it a little less often.

How long before it spoils - I was told 2 hours.

*Shannon* replied: Hi!
When my youngest son was a baby his ped told me that cold formula (in a clean container, not been fed from yet) would keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours. After heating/feeding, it must be discarded after 2 hours.
He was exclusively formula fed. What I would do is make up enough bottles for a day and line them up in the fridge, then heat and feed as necessary.
I tried to mix as we went, but found that there were tiny air bubbles in the formula that gave my lil guy a tummy ache. By making them the night before, by the time he ate, the bubbles had time to come to the top of the bottle and pop. This made for a much happier baby (and mommy!)
I wouldn't worry so much with just supplemental feedings, but if you find that baby is gassy, you might try something similar.
As far as sterilizing, my ped said you really only have to do it before using the bottles/nipples for the first time. After that first time, I never sterilized again.
Wow, long answer hehe. Hope that helps some.
And congratulations on the new bundle of joy!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Just my two cents here...yes discard it. If you save it after she eats from it your child's saliva will grow bacteria and get her ill.

I never sterilized my bottles and nipples and never had a problem. I only washed them. To each is own I think. I did sterilize before the first use though.

Another thing I did was never heat the bottles in the microwave or water or anything. I used luke warm water so I didn't have to. However, if you need to make one and take it with, as long as she hasn't eaten from it yet, you should be able to heat it up as long as it is kept cold until then.

Oh , Pam brought up a good idea. I also bought those containers that were seperated to keep the powder it. I would put the water in the bottle, bring the container with, then just mix it when he needed it. They are containers that have the measured amounts seperated for you so all you have to do it pour and shake. Most of them hold about 3-4 bottles worth.

Bethee replied: Thanks for all the replies Definately some good ideas/hints that I wouldn't have thought of. I'll have to try to get dd to drink her formula at room temperature as opposed to heating it (sounds like that saves a lot of time/aggravation).

BabyOwen427 replied: If you are going to supplement formula and breastmilk, I would not introduce formula until your breastmilk supply is fully established, usually between 6 weeks and 2 months. If you introduce formula before then you threaten your milk supply. And if you decide to change your mind about formula, you will still be able to produce enough milk.

And hey, my name is Beth, too!

Welcome to the board.
I'm not as new as my history says, after my baby was born I created a new name. Anyways, this is a great place to come to chat, if you don't like someone's opinion there are many more to talk to.

coasterqueen replied: Welcome to the board.

I don't know anything about formula feeding, but I did want to say hi. Also, if you are feeling inadequate about formula feeding why not pump some breastmilk to give a bottle?

holley79 replied:

ashtonsmama replied: Welcome (sorry I'm so late in doing so!)

mamasbigbaby replied: Welcome, I'm Jackie.