Bottle Suggestions

I agree with one of the other posts- get a second opinion before buying new bottles. Why a 6 month old would need fluoridated water is beyond me.

I actually used to make my son's formula in pitcher. I can't remember how long formula is good for after mixed in the fridge. 24 hrs? I used to make just enough so it wouldn't go bad and it was very convenient. T.

I would do Born Free or Medula because they are BPA free. Babies R Us sells them.

Don't switch. I used powder formula and drop-ins. I would make a large volume about 32 0z, I used a rubbermaid bottle with the volume marks on the side. Then I would reheat the formula right in the drop-in in. My son was not fussy about the tempurature of the formula so I would drop a drop-in, with the formual in it, into a very hot glass of water for about a minute. Although, I have to confess I did use the microwave (very cautiosly) occasionally with the bottle open and shake very well after and of course test it.

I use the same system and the Enfamil lipil powder. Put the powder in first, add water and shake. This especially great for the diaper bag. I have the pre measured amount in the drop in with the cover on and bottle water to go out. There is an exact powder formula at Target for about $14 dollars less a canister. Deb

My pediatrician suggested tap water also (boil first) but I was never comfortable with that because if you boil the water too much it can put lead in it. A few months after she suggested it, it was all over the news that high levels of prescription medication is found in drinking water all over the United States...from people discarding their meds down the toilets. I breastfed for the first 7 and 1/2 months and just recently started formula. I use the nursery water which has flouride added. It gives me peace of mind.
P.S. I never have and never will drink tap water so I can't fathom giving it to my child.
Hope this helps.
Peace & Blessings

I use the same type of bottle. Initially, I was worried about that too.... so i stirred it up with a spoon after I added the water and before I feed my daughter. It seems to work great and no clumping

While I only use my bottles for expressed breast milk at this point, I really like the Dr. Brown's natural flow bottles. They really help to reduce gas and spitting up. There are a few parts to clean so it may be just as gunky with baby formula as your current bottles but I do think they are great bottles if you don't mind the clean up.

I use the same bottles and nipples. I bought a formula pitcher at Babies R Us that catches the clumps. If I have to make one bottle at a time, I warm the water up a little bit before adding the powder and it helps keep the powder from clumping.

You could try using the Pampered Chef Quick stir pitcher, it works amazingly well for mixing any powders.

Hi A.,

I too use the Playtex drop ins. You can buy for a couple of dollars at like Babies R Us or something this mini whipper. Not sure what it is really called but it runs on a battery and when you turn it on it mixes the formula. It worked great for us and is very inexpensive. Then you don't have to change bottles.

Hope this helps!

Hi A.,

I agree with the other suggestions of mixing the formula in a batch. I bought a formula mixing pitcher from babies r us. It was pretty inexpensive and it works great. It has a screen insert that fits at the top to break up the clumps as you shake it. It's the only way I've been able to get all of the clumps out of my sons formula.

Hi there- I used the playtex system as well. I went out and bought a big 1-2 gallon Tupperware container with a lid (you know the kind for liquid). I pre-mixed a day or 2 of the formula in there and then poured it into the bottle. It was very convenient and easy!

the other consideration is how you are going to heat it up. I just heated it up in a seperate glass and then transfered it to the bottle. Shaking nice and good, I never had a problem with it being too hot. I think I heated it for 20 seconds.

Hope this helps!

I used that same system and the best way to do this is to make up a batch that will last the whole day. The water needs to be luke warm, so microwave in a pirex glass measuring cup (use the one that holds 4 cups), then measure your scoops according to what you need then use a wire wisk to mix -- then make all of your bottles for the day and make sure you put into the refridge right away so you don't spoil the formula. Then you will be all ready for the day and you won't have the clumpping. If your baby likes it warm just place in a pan with hot tap water and go .. the platex bottles are really great but that seems to be the down fall about the powder. No gas & fuss but more work for us but you know something it's better to be prepared for the day. You also might want to make sure the water is warm in the liner then drop in your scoops, bend the nipple with your finger then shake .. that's what I used to do on the go. Having the water warm is the secrect.

If you don't want to repurchase new bottles you can do a couple of things with the ones you have. One - make the formula in a tupperware type container and refridgerate. I make enough for the day, measure and heat in a glass measuring cup (very very carefully - all microwaves are different) and pour into the drop in bottle.

You can also put your water and powder into the drop in (bummer is that the drop ins are poor at measuring accurately - I use a measuring cup), cover with a piece of plastic wrap, secure with the bottle top and shake to your heart's content. No clogging the nipple! Just remove the plastic wrap and you're set to go.

I am surprised by how many people don't realize that flouride is necessary early in life (not you, but the other posters!). Our teeth start growing long before we see them, and the flouride we ingest helps to armor them against all the bacteria they will be bombarded with once they appear. My pedi put my son on flouride drops at 6 mos as we use Poland Springs for his bottle since our well water's flouridation varies. He, as well as my 3 year old daughter's pediatric dentist, both feel that flouride is necessary ~ what's the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

Several years ago, when my daughter was taking flouride drops, there was a report regarding too much of it and links to disease. Perhaps this is what has some people treating your doctor's flouride recommendation as if he were suggesting some sort poison. I understand their caution, but the amount of flouride was significant and not of concern when it comes to tap water. Additionally, my dentist just recently commented that he makes little money off of people my age and prefers my mother's generation. Honest to god, he said that flouridated water has made our teeth stronger and thus, less dental work necessary. I just got my FIRST caviity at age 34, and I blame that on my pregnancies :)

But I digress...your question was about the Playtex drop ins. We have the same darn problem, and it frustrates me so much! I love the bottles for the ease and the bpa-free-ness (a word?). But the fact that they clog easy is frustrating. I find that the warmer the liquid, the less likely to clog. However, I am running out to Walmart today to get that mixer another poster suggested :)

L.

Haven't had time to do my own research yet, but here's a couple of sites my friend recommended to me RE: the flouride question (I had wondered whether to start using flouride toothpaste, thankfully we have good well water at home): www.secondlook.org, www.fluoridealert.org

If those bottles are working for you, keep them! You can mix the formula in a larger container then pour it in as needed for feedings. You could also mix the formula in a glass Pyrex measuring cup then pour it in the bottle if you don't want the formula touching plastic. The drop-ins are good because they reduce gas and they don't have the plastic chemical/BPA issue. Plus, if they're working for you, no need to get caught up in trying new bottles until you find one your baby likes (I have done this and it is expensive!!). Good luck!

I know this might not connect to the nautre of your question but- I HIGHLY recommend you get a 2nd opinion on the flouride rec. from your ped. Thankfully, we have well water that comes from a natural aquafor(spelling?) which tested with 0ppm flouride levels. Basically, my well water's better than the overpriced bottled stuff-I'm lucky. But there's a lot of evidence on the dangers of flouride for young children/babies. There's also evidence to the contrary, so as with anything we do for our kids, weigh the facts on both sides of the argument and make the decision you feel is best. Just a friendly FYI...Good luck...

When I used formula for my daughter, I too, used the powder type. What I used to do, was have the water in the bottle & pre-measured amounts of powder in a small container. If I didn't need to use it, I didn't waste the formula. If I did need to mix up a bottle, I would use a tupperware drink shaker container. I would put the water from the bottle in the container, add the powder & shake it up. Then I would pour it back into the bottle. This way it was well mixed & clumps didn't clog the nipple!

At Walmart or Babies r us I can't remember which they have a formula mixer that is battery operated. I have one and it works great. I have a 2 1/2 year old and I had the same problem. I just had a baby on June 16 and I have been using the mixer. They are not that expansive only a few dollars. Hope this helps

Hi A.,
Maybe you could mix the formula in something else then pour into the bottle if you don't want to spend the $ to get new bottles. I use Dr. Brown's and they have been great. Only down side is that there is a little extra cleaning because of the multiple parts. But, they have caps that you can put on the bottle so you can mix the formula before putting o n the nipple.
Good Luck!

Mix it in a separate container and pour it into the bottle!
-S.