Mixing Powdered Formula

I used bottled water - room temp and mixed each bottle as needed. You can warm up the bottle by placing it in a hot glass of water. I used playtex bag bottles when she was little and switched to ventaire when she got bigger. Hope this helps. Also, my oldest was on enfamil and had constipation too so I switched to Nestle Good Start - she was great - no problems - I had my second daughter on Good Start too and she had no problems - my cousins also used it at my suggestion. My husband was annoyed that I switched formula without checking with the doctor - I explained that she was our daughter and the doctor was their to guide us - and don't fool yourself - it's a matter of preference with the doctor maybe even a kick back or two - who knows - you know your baby better than anyone and always trust your insticts.

I have a 2 yr old and a 9mo old...I would always use regular spring water or the flouridated water and mix up a jug of formula...20 oz or so at a time, in a rubbermaid jug. The key to the clumps, especially with the gentlease or lactofree is to shake it really well, sometimes for a minute or so. Mixing it before hand also eliminates some of the gassiness. The 'foam' on the top after mixing...usually is gone within an hour. just make sure you gently shake before pouring into bottle, it does separate slightly.

Also, for the Ventair bottles, make sure the little disc is sitting right in the bottom and it is on tight. Sometimes, I notice that after washing, water stays in some of the threads too and what I thought was leaking, really wasn't.

As for the diarrhea, he could be getting used to the formula or he may be lactose intolerant. Give it a couple of weeks and then talk to your dr about switching to a lactofree formula.

Carnation formula might work well for him. I know several people who swear by it. The protein has already been partially digested.

I always just used tap water to mix formula. I have 4 kids and none of them ever got sick from it. Unless you have bad water there is really no reason to boil it, but it if makes you feel better, then ok. :) If you were pouring boiling or extremely hot water into the Ventair bottles, that is why they leak. The hot water makes the rubber air holes expand and leak. Having the formula already mixed makes things sooooo much easier! You could try making it up in a smaller container. Figure out how much he'll drink in a day, and maybe make slightly less so you don't have waste. I don't remember at what age I was able to start this, but I used to make 1qt at a time. At one point I had 2 babies on formula at once. Then I made a 2qt container and that would last through the day, all night, and get me to the start of the morning.

You are right to not add cereal to his bottles.

Why don't you just buy distilled water. There is a baby fluoridated water that you can buy at Walmart for $1.00 a gallon. Then you can make your bottles as needed. Have you called your ped about the diarrhea. See what they recommend.

He could just be adjusting to the formula. At 7 weeks, I would not add any cereal. He could choke on it. when we used formula, we would just make a little as we went along, by warming the water first, then adding the formula powder right in the bottle. Another handy thing to warm a bottle is one of those minature crock pots, like the ones that you use for potporri. I tried the bottle warming things, they never worked, but that did. You have to watch it carefully, because they can warm water pretty fast. Just test it on your wrist before you put the powder in, then after.

We just use tap water filtered through Brita filter. We store it in a glass bottle so the water is room temperature all the time. We use a cocktail stirrer to mix the formula to help with the lumps. It looks like a little wisk at eh bottom and it is great. We have used t for both of our children and never have lumps. Good luck!

I noticed just yesterday at Target a gadget which is designed to break up the clumps of formula in the bottom bottles. You can find it in the same aisle as the bottles.

That said, I am not sure that at 7 weeks liquid stools is a problem. I would discuss this with your pediatrician.