Formula advice...

Hey we combi feed. You can absolutely follow the nhs guidelines about making ahead where you prep bottles following the instructions for the specific formula then keep at the back of the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Well done for breastfeeding for so long, it’s so hard! I’d start off on a ‘normal’ formula before you go to anti reflux, as they put a thickening agent in it which can make them a bit constipated. Look for a formula that is easy to get hold of near you to start with, they are all the same nutritionally as first infant formulas x

Honestly, it’s a struggle of a journey but awesome job keeping it going!

I’m combi feeding and using aptamil. I used it with both babies without issue. I still pump about 100ml a day and mix it into a bottle with formula. I’ve never made much with either baby.

You can prep in advance or you can do it on the go. If im in the house I put the formula measured in a dry bottle, add 100ml of boiling water and mix then top up with cold water. If out I just make it up about 15/20 mins before I would need it with a flask of boiling and leave it in the cup holder to cool.

Breastfeeding didn't work for us so my little one has been fully formula fed since about 3 weeks. Pre-makinh bottles is fine as long you follow guidlines. I prep 2 at a time and 3 of a night. We just put them in the fridge and then use a bottle warmer which only takes about 10 minutes. Currently using mam and tommee tippee bottles but bottle warmers sometimes let water into mam bottles due to the holes at the bottom so we don't warm them up, just make them fresh and let them cool in the fridge. When we're out we use pre made bottles which my baby doesn't mind at room temperature so don't need a rapid cool. They are a lot pricier than formula powder but don't use them too much so it's not an issue for us. We started on cow and gate but now use the comfort cow and gate as my little boy often gets constipated. Agree with Beth with getting formula you can get at your nearest shop as we need to go into our local town to get his formula.

I use a nubycool and wouldn’t be able to live without it lol! Why wasn’t recommended?

Also, I’m using aptamil non reflux which has to be made at 40 degrees which is why the nubycool has been a lifesaver! Who’s got time to wait for the kettle to cool for 45 mins? it can only be prepped when needed tbh as the longer it cools down the thicker it gets. Also use a number 2 test for it.

Hiya just wondering do you have to shake the formula really hard for it to dissolve? My little boy is currently on cow and gate anti reflux and it's a nightmare to dissolve I have to shake it so much it creates so much bubbles, which is causing him quite abit of discomfort. I was looking at maybe trying Aptimal reflux or sma reflux

having used Sma anti reflux it mixes reasonably well but you are supposed to cool the water to lukewarm straight away (rather than wait for it to cool in the kettle) and then shake in a specific way 😂 quite often ends up with a gloopy blob in the bottom if you make ahead and keep in the fridge overnight and needed a size 2 teat on tommee tippee bottles

tbh I don’t find that I have to shake it around hard, I swirl it around then give it a shake but it dissolves quite well. How do you prepare the formula?

I've been using the kettle immediately and shaking to the bottles to death and then using a rapid cool to bring to temp. I've tried stirring with a spoon and swirling it just doesn't dissolve its just clumpy. I've also left the kettle for 45 minutes and still have to shake it alot. Just wondering if i should try another formula. I read your previous comment and see that you fully cool your water down in the rapid cool first? Does the formula seem really frothy air bubbly once it's done?

Did you use a nuby rapid cool to bring the temp down? Yeah I can't imagine it would be great to leave that kind of formula in the fridge 🤣
Also are you left with loads of froth and bubbles on the top? I'll try and get a picture tommorrow of my bottles because I'd hate to swap him and that's like it also 😌

same! My breast feeding specialist said the Nuby rapid cool is recommended by the NHS.

don’t mix the formula with boiling water, cool the boiling water down to 40 degrees and then put it in the bottle, then mix the formula in. If you mix too hot water with the formula, it’ll get clumpy I think. The formula is frothy and a bit bubbly once it’s done, I think it’s meant to be that way x

no didn’t use a rapid cool, it suggests fill the bottle to the amount you need, lid on, do t put the formula in yet and then either stand it in a bowl of cold water or run it under the tap. Tbh we did keep the odd ones in the fridge for the middle of the night feed, they just took longer to warm back up as it’s thicker then needed a good swirl before feeding

Hey sweet, breastfeeding to formula girly here too. We use cow and gate infant milk as they can stay in that until 12 months and no need to change to different numbers. We’ve got a tommee tippee prep machine and it works wonders does the perfect amount of hot and filtered cold water and can be ready in a 15 seconds whilst baby gets changed. It’s been a life saver too us x

Thankyou, just curious as I've started him now on sma and his stools have now turned green and runny, could be the change in formulas. They were previously yellow on cow and gate. I have read the sma can make babies stool green? Did you experience this?

Thankyou for this I did change baby off cow and gate as his formula was really bubbly, from what I can see on this it wasn't too bad. Sma reflux is really alot better so far so fingers crossed. Appreciate your replies ☺️

yes! Green and honestly sort of foamy for a couple of days. I mentioned it to my health visitor and she wasn’t concerned at all, it should settle a bit in a couple of weeks for you but may stay mostly green x