Need Help with Formula Preparation

It works better to warm the water first. Trying to dissolve formula in cold water leaves it lumpy. You still need to use water otherwise the formula will be to strong for the babies stomach.

Always put the water in first so you'll have the proper amount. Use warm tap water, add the correct amount of scoops (of formula) and shake it up, it's that simple. If you're mixing it with breastmilk, just adjust the amount of formula to the amount of breastmilk you'll be adding.

It's pretty simple.
I too, used the Kirkland brand formula. My Pediatrician says it's fine. My son had no problems with it. But my friend's son did not like the taste. Each child is different.

First, put the water in the bottle up the the "line" indicating how many ounces you want to make.

Next, add in the formula...using the scooper that comes in the can. It is usually 1 scoop for every 2 ounces of water. 2 scoops for 4 ounces etc.

Next, shake up the bottle gently, to mix it all together. Then feed to baby.

It does not "have to" be warmed up. With my son, after he weaned from breast, I have always used it room temp. Using bottled water, for the water. He always just took it that way.

If you want to serve it "warm"... then I would gently warm the water first (you can do it in a microwave, just for a few seconds and shake it well so that no "hot-spots" are in the water from the microwave)... THEN, put it in the bottle and per how many ounces you want to make. THEN, add the formula powder to this. Then of course, test the temperature, and drip a little on your wrist to test it before giving baby.

To me, there is no "right" temperature for feeding... every baby is different. Some will even take it cold, or warmed or just at room temperature, like my son. My son would even take it cold... with iced water that I had chilled in the fridge. He likes cold things.

But with formula...ALWAYS ALWAYS put the water FIRST... then add the formula powder. If not, it will be too "concentrated" a mixture and it will be too much for their kidneys to handle.

IF you mix it with breastmilk... just make the formula first (separately) as usual...then, add it to the breastmilk in another bottle, then shake it all together.

You must always prepare the formula as it must be... then add it to other things like breastmilk. NEVER, just add the formula powder straight to the breastmilk without preparing it first, with water in proper proportions.

Lots of Moms mix breastmilk with formula. It's perfectly fine.

Hope this helps, if it's still confusing, just message me.
Good luck,
Susan

what i did with my daughter was mixed the formula 1/2 and 1/2 with the breast milk. the formula may make your baby very gassy and constipated. for mixing formula you use the needed amount of water then add the powder. to heat whats best is to get a coffee cup and heat water in the mirowave for one minute and then set the formula made bottle in the heated water for about a minute oor two it will heat evenly this way. if your baby seems to get overly gassy move her legs in a bicycle motion and put light but firm pressure on her tummy (putting them over a knee is great!) also burp a lot if she has never used a bottle before. if she doesnt take to that formula then try goodstart its super gentle and is like the only formula ill use. good luck!

I think you might want to ask the pediatrician just to make sure you do this right.

Normally you would warm the water first and then mix in the formula. I would check with the doctor first.

Congratulations on being a new mommy!

I agree that your first response from SH is fairly complete. However, I would just note that you should not shake breastmilk (even if mixed with liquid formula). My friend did this once to my breastmilk and it curdled. If you mix with breastmilk, just swirl it gently in the bottle.

Also, keep in mind that you may end up trying several different brands of formula... The formula makers all pretty much state that theirs is "closest to breastmilk." We used only Nestle Good Start Supreme and it was one of the few that didn't "foam up" or smell terrible. However, it was hard to get the formula powder fully mixed. I had to mix up the formula in a separate mixing jug (Tupperware has a good "shaker"), let sit for a few minutes/hours and then pour into bottle for baby to drink. Best wishes to you for a happy/healthy baby!

I think it's great that your baby is getting breast milk during its first few months. The only other comments I have that someone else didn't mention is to educated yourself on the dangers of plastic, freezing plastic, heating plastic, microwaving anything. Toxic chemicals that get inside our bodies that way. There is a lot more awareness now about that and it's good for each of us to know. With Autism (my son has it) and immune disorders (I have lupus and kidney failure from it) and cancer on the rise, we all need to get the toxins and chemicals out of our systems. You can get newer, SAFE baby bottles called "Born Free" brand at the following retailers: Babies R'Us, Target, CVS Pharmacy, Whole Foods, Buy Buy Baby. I am personally on a campaign to breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, get the corn syrup out of our diets and get rid of artificial sweeteners (Xylitol crystals and Organic Agave Syrup are great natural low-sugar alternative sweeteners), we try to not use the microwave, cut back on sulfates and chemicals in cosmetics and cleaners, use organic pesticides, etc. If we really think about the numbers of chemicals we add to our bodies and environments in our skin products, cleaners, foods, packaging, cosmetics, it's staggering. Here's a list of places dangerous PVC plastic is found:

Apparel:
Aprons
Bags
Backpacks (PVC coating for waterproofing)
Bibs
Boots
Diaper covers
Lingerie
Luggage
Raincoats
Rain pants
Skirts
Shoes
T-shirts with PVC prints (shiny)
Watchbands

Automotive:
Auto-related product containers
Car seats for children
Dashboards
Door panels
Traffic cones
Underbody coating
Upholstery
Wire coating

Building Materials:
Cavity closure insulation
Door frames
Door gaskets
Fencing
Flooring
Gutters
Molding
Pipes
Shutters
Siding
Tiles
Wall coverings
Window frames
Wire/cable insulation

Household Items:
Cleaning product containers
Clothes racks (covers metal to prevent rusting)
Checkbook covers
Fake Christmas trees
Imitation leather furniture
Mattress covers
Pet care product containers
Photo album sheets
Self-adhesive labels and stickers
Shelving
Strollers
Shower curtains
Textiles
Toys
Waterbeds

Kitchen Items:
Appliance casings
Beverage containers
Dish drying racks (covers metal to prevent rusting)
Dishwasher, refrigerator and
freezer racks
Drinking straws
Food containers
Food wrap
Plastic utensils
Tablecloths

Medical Supplies:
Bed liners
Blood bags
Catheters
Colostomy bags
Gloves
Mattress covers
Tubing

Office Supplies:
Binders
Cellular phones
Clipboards
Computer keyboards
Computer monitor housing
Floppy disks
Mouse pads
Paper clips
Tape

Outdoor Items:
Balls
Children’s swimming pools
Garden hoses
Greenhouses
Inflatable furniture
Outdoor furniture
Pond liners
Tarps

Personal Care Items (packaging):
Aloe Vera Gel
Baby oil
Face Wash
Hair gel
Liquid soap
Lotion
Massage oil
Mouthwash
Shampoo
Suntan lotion

Hi D., with our son when we transitioned him to formula I would put 2 oz of defrosted breastmilk in a bottle with 2oz of formula and I would prepare it by heating the water in the micro first adding the formula then adding the breast milk as breastmilk should not be microwaved. I also breastfed along with this so if you are going to stop breastfeeding I would try and transition 1oz formula to 3oz breast milk unitl you find a formula that agrees with your baby.

We also didn't heat the water up too much so that way when we were out and about I could use room temp bottled water, which made things SUPER easy and convenient.
Hope this helps.

D.-

My son was also a preemie born at 29 weeks. I unfortunately was not able to keep my quantity of breast milk up for that long and had to start supplementing when he was in the hospital. He was on Similac NeoSure which is for preemies and has extra calories, etc. We never heated up the water, we just made it at room temperature or cold. It was much more convenient when we were running from doctor to doctor or if there was not a facility when we were out and about. We just put in the amount of water we needed and used the right amount of scoops and shook it up and voila! I would not mix the breast milk and formula. I would give them both separate starting with a little formula to see how she tolerate it. I would definitely consult your pediatrician though, because preemies digestive systems can be more sensitive. Good luck and don't stress!!!!

I did it exactly how Susan described...I too had to transition my preemie to formula...good luck!!

Hi D.,

I've read and been told by my ped not to mix formula with breastmilk. Breastmilk has antibodies only produced by you, which you would damage by mixing formula.

I would suggest using up all of your breastmilk, then proceed to formula. My daughter was breastfed for 4 months and had no problem drinking formula. I use enfamil lipil with iron (yellow can). It's claimed to be the closest thing to breastmilk.

If your baby will take the bottle lukewarm, I would suggest that rather than warming it. My daughter will not drink a lukewarm bottle because we've always heated it. Now I wish we didn't because when we're out and about, it is not easy finding a place to warm a bottle.

Hi,

Do not mix your formula with breastmilk. Give the breastmilk by itself. I usually warm up the water, then add the formula, shake it up, and it is ready to go. :) Start out with a small amount of formula to see if the baby tolerates it. Breastmilk is easier to digest than formula. I had to try several formulas before we found one that the baby tolerated. She is now 9 months, and supplements well with a soy based formula. Hope this helps.:)

I personally think because of her age..and that she was a preemie, I would boil the water first (do it at the beginning of the day all at once to make it easy and then pour into a pitcher that you can use throughout the day). Then you just add scoops of formula to the water and shake and serve. My DD would not take formula and breastmilk mixed...but would take either or alone. Try and see...but she may just take formula without mixing it then you can supplement with formula a few times a day until your breastmilk runs out then switch over. I never warmed my DD water because if they learn to take it room temp from the beginning...then there will never be the issue if you are out in public of how to warm their bottle. She took it right off the bat and it was never an issue. Good luck!

D.,

If it were me, I'd mix it with room temperature water, shake it and serve it. If you mix it ahead of time and take it from the fridge, you only need to warm it if your baby has trouble maintaining their body temperature or won't take it cold. You only need to mix it with breastmilk if your baby won't drink it straight (some people mix 1 oz to so many oz of breastmilk and then start increasing the amount of formula to breastmilk as the baby adjusts to the taste). Keep in mind that if you mix breastmilk in, any that isn't finished must be thrown away. It cannot be reserved (same for any formula bottles).

I would mix the formula according to package directions (with water) and then mix in the breastmilk if that is what you decide to do. I wouldn't mix formula powder into the breastmilk. I'm not sure it would actually hurt anything but you want to make sure your baby is getting plenty of fluids and formula has to be mixed correctly in order to be sure your baby is getting enough nutrition and doesn't get dehydrated.

T.

I agree with Jill M's response.
But when I had to transition my baby to formula, I first put 3/4 breastmilk to 1/4 formula for a few day and then every few days put a little more formula then breastmilk. I would do it very slow. If I had the choice, I would have breast feed my baby until she was at least 1 year (I lasted 8 months)
But unfortunatley, that was something I had no control over.
good luck, and congratulations on your new baby!

warm your breast milk to the appropriate temp first. then, put warm tap or bottled water into the bottle and mix with desired amount of formula. then add the warmed breast milk and gently agitate. NEVER microwave the formula in the bottle, not only does it deplete the nutrient value but it also releases toxins from the plastic bottle into the liquid formula. just not a good idea. i would recommend just doing 2 oz. of formula and 2 oz. of breast milk at first, so you don't waste much breastmilk if she doesn't care for it. my son was not pleased about transitioning from breastmilk to formula, so it took a while, but my daughter honestly didn't seem to notice the difference. best of luck!

It doesn't matter how you mix the formula -- older babies will drink formula from room temp. water in a pinch. Since you have to warm the breast milk anyway, mix formula with water then add breast mix, then warm. If you mix formula w/o water and just add to breast milk, you are doubling her calories which would help weight gain, but it would defeat the purpose of eventually transitioning to straight formula. Figure out how much breast milk you have left. Then divide it up so you have 75% bm. + 25% formula for a few days, then switch to 50% 50% for a while, then do 25% 75% formula. If you haven't opened the case from Costco yet, you might want to see if you could get some from a friend -- just in case your little one doesn't tolerate that brand. Some babies need/prefer different brands for various reasons.

I just wanted to say that breast milk taste is very different from the formula taste, so if you are concerned about the baby rejecting the formula I would mix them up. Also, not all formula tastes the same. My doctor recommended Nestle's Good Start, and it has worked very well with my little one. It is also true that the formula mixes better in a slightly warm water than cold tap water. You should check with her doctor to see if you need to use a cleaner kind of water which is what our doc recommended before my daughter turned 3 months old. Good luck

I always warmed the water first, it seems to make the formula mix better!

I am the mommy to three kids, not one of them could I breast feed. But I did learn that if I measured out the room temp water first and then add the powder that it worked best! I used jugs of filtered water that I bought just for this purpose and left it on the counter so the bottles were always the same temp. I understand that breast milk is much sweeter then formula, so I would try mixing it 3/4 to 1/3 and then slowly increase the amount of formula for each formula bottle, this might help baby adjust to the taste without much rejection. Good luck and congrats on a healthy baby!

Hi D.,
Your 1st response from SH was your best!

it really is as simple as mixing it with water. I would warm it up after mixing... but my son took it room temperature just as well as heated up. So I only heated the formula when it was chilled from the refridgerator.

Warm the breastmilk and water separately. Add powdered formula to the water and shake up, then combine with the warm breastmilk. They say not to warm them in the microwave, but I warm water in there. About 25 seconds for 6 ounces. Breastmilk, I always heated a cup of water in the microwave and then put the bottle of breastmilk in the cup of hot water to warm it that way. I've re-feated formula in the microwave using the 25 seconds for 6 ounces rule, but it all depends on your microwave. If you have the time, re-heat already mixed formula the same way as breastmilk. If you use the microwave, make sure you mix very well because you do not want it to have hot spots that can burn your baby.

Is there any way you can continue to nurse and/or pump? I had 26 week preemies weighing in at 1# 12 oz and 1# 13oz and I pumped and nursed for a year and my children are super healthy, never get sick. I think it was the breast milk. Anyway, if you can't we supplemented with neosure which is designed w/ extra fat for preemies. Mix the water w/ the formula, shake it up, get a coffee cup and fill 1/3 of the way with water and warm that up in the micro then stick the bottle in the cup w/ the warm water. Always shake and test before feeding. It doesn't have to be super warm. Good Luck
J.

Hi D.!

We didn't warm up the bottle - just room temperature and cold. I recommend you not warm it up as you'll be in situations where it is a pain to find a place and method to warm up the bottles. There's no medical reason to warm bottles. That way too you can make a pitcher of formula and put it in the fridge - much easier than making bottle by bottle. Babies R Us has a really cheap pitcher that's nice. Also, please read the label on your formula. Almost every formula these days has some form of sugar. The ONLY formula we found that doesn't is Earth's Best Organic. It's a wonderful formula. You can usually get it at Whole Foods or Babies R Us. It's a crime that these manufacturers put sugar in formula - it can cause gas and discomfort and basically get your child addicted right from the beginning to sugar. Congrats on your beautiful daughter!!

first, i would consult your pediatrician. each dr. has different opinions and ways and since you have preemies it might be more important that you do.

this is what i do and it's in accord with my LO's physician. i take filtered water and boil it in a non teflon/aluminum pan for 10 minutes. i use an all clad but they aren't cheap i've seen good stainless at target and ikea. then cool the boiled water in the pan or in a glass container. once the water is cooled to room temp you can use the water. i measure the water first in each bottle THEN, add the formula powder in. i stir it first since formula can get chunky. then i close each bottle and shake. some people like to make a big batch but i like to make each serving in a bottle and keep them in the fridge. i warm them to room temp when ready to feed in a bottle warmer or under running hot water.

you can mix the breast milk into the formula but my LC and DR said to feed it in a different bottle first. this is incase they don't finish the bottle which happens quite a bit you know exactly what they've consumed.

good luck!

I think you should talk to the dr about your baby's special needs...I've had two preemies, and although I breastfed exclusively I was told and given neosure formula for them (if I decided to formula feed) because it has extra nutrients and calories that preemies need for their development. Congratulations.

Mix the formula with warm water first then add breast milk. I did this for all four of my children.

D.,
Since your little one is a preemie, I think you should talk to your doctor. If your child's immune system and digestive system is at a 1.5 maturation level, you may need to be extra careful. You should consider the formula contents. My kids were highly sensitive to the iron some formulas contain. Some formulas have protiens that are more easily digested than others. Do your research and consult your physician.
T.

HI D., congrats on your baby. I was always told to warm up the water first and then mix it with the formula. What I would suggest doing in your situation would be to warm up your water, mix it with your formula and then warm up your breastmilk separately, then mix all together in the bottle. Breastmilk really shouldn't be warmed in the microwave, so what I always did was heat up some water in a bowl or cup, and then warm the breastmilk in a bottle standing in the warm water of the bowl or cup. Hope that makes sense. I switched my son to formula this way: started with 3/4 breastmilk and 1/4 formula, then half and half, and so on. Also be prepared that you may have to try a couple of different formulas/bottles to see which one you baby will like. They can be picky even as babies!! Best wishes and God bless you and your family!!
H.

I kinda think that if you are just trying to see if your baby will drink formula, just make a 2 oz bottle at one feeding, and see is she drinks it. If she dosen't have a problem with it - then you don't have to spend extra time trying to "transition" over to formula.
as far as making the formula, as long as the water goes in first, I don't think when you heat the water (if at all) really matters.