[Graham]

We managed to keep baby Jeffrey exclusively on breast milk for 4 months, but there are times now that we are going to have to use formula sometimes.

Anyway not having used formula before, I'd like to ask can it be prepared in advance and stored chilled in the fridge (or in a cooler w/ice pack when travellling), or should the formula only be prepared just before it's time for baby to eat.

I'm clueless when it comes to formula and I've read contradictory information on some books/websites that say you can store prepared formula for up to 24hrs and others that say don't store it at all......Argggghhhhhhhh!

Confused!

Graham

[jdang]

Graham,

Ah, first time parenting...everything seems so complicated, huh?

Don't prepare in advance, there's always the risk of contamination. It's easy to make formula on demand. Here's the 101:

Pour half hot water, half cool boiled water into bottle. Scoop in the formula. Screw on the bottle teat & cap. Shake it a few times till well blended, take of the cap & voila! nice warm milk for baby. If it's still a bit too hot, run under some tap water.

For outings, 1 carry a small thermos for hot water (350ml from la Gourmet thermal- ware), a 500ml Rubbermaid chug bottle for cool water, formula measured & portioned in one of those sectioned milk powder container, sterilised bottles & teats. The milk powder container and bottles/teats are placed into 2 separate ziplock bags. Before placing everything into the baby bag, check to see everything is properly closed or screwed on tightly since you'll be on the move. I always pour the water from the thermos into the chug bottle & ask for fresh hot water from restaurants or cafes if I need to feed my twins outside again at later time.

It's a breeze! No worries!

[rani]

Graham,

There's a new spring water for babies called WildAlp Baby. Its perfect for mixing with formula and comes in convenient 0.5L bottles for when you're out and about.

http://www.shopinhk.com/product.php?productid=72

Rani

[Rosewood]

Does anyone know if its available in any shops in HK yet?

[rani]

Rosewood,

We're selling them by the case on ShopinHK. Single bottles can be purchased at selected Watsons, ParknShop, Great, CitySuper, Sogo, Uny and Health Gate.

Rani

[Rosewood]

Graham

We also make up formula on demand, except for the night feed, we make up a bottle in advance and store in the fridge, when we need to use it, we warm it up with the bottle warmer or a jug of hot water. I pour it away in the morning if it hasnt been used. I dont like to keep it for too long, although I have also read that you can store milk in the fridge for 24 hours.

When I'm out, I take the following:
* a small thermos, instead of filling it with boiling hot water, I use boiled water at just the right temperature to mix a feed.
* A couple of sterilized bottles/teats in zipper bags
* formula measured and placed in plastic dispenser.

I don't like to use hot water from restaurants as it may not have been boiled properly, I prefer to bring my own to make up feeds.

[nataliel]

it really doens't have to be very complicated

take boiled measured water in sterilised bottles with teets and lids on . i find they have never leaked on me. take premeasured formula in one of those formula containers. When it comes time for feed; mix the two, shake and feed baby. I dont heat the water, but if you want you can warm the water a bit before mixing.

[nataliel]

we acutally meaure out all the bottles at night time. seal them and leave them to cool for the next day.Also, we measure out all the formula into a formula dispenser at night as well. Then if you want to go out its really easy to just pick up a bottle and the formula container and go. None of this is my idea.. it seems that nearly all of my friends do it this way.