Let's talk bottles

Tara&Ryan

I am transitioning LO to formula and bottles (no more nursing) and I have two questions.

1. Did you move LO up on nipple flows according to age? She seems to be doing fine on the stage 1 newborn nipple, but thought I might try a faster flow now...just wondered when everyone else switched.

2. Do you use tap or bottled water for your bottles? Do you warm the water, then add formula or mix then warm?

bexie

Tara&Ryan:

I am transitioning LO to formula and bottles (no more nursing) and I have two questions.

1. Did you move LO up on nipple flows according to age? She seems to be doing fine on the stage 1 newborn nipple, but thought I might try a faster flow now...just wondered when everyone else switched.

Use the slowest nipple your baby will tolerate.  My DD is 5 1/2 months and still uses the newborn nipples with no problems. 

2. Do you use tap or bottled water for your bottles? Do you warm the water, then add formula or mix then warm?

Whether you should use tap water or bottled water depends on where you live.  Ask your ped if your water is safe for bottles.  I don't always warm the bottles.  It's good for your LO to take them room temp in case you are out and can't warm the bottle.  So I will either fill the bottles for the day and let them get room temp and then add formula as she needs it, or I will microwave a coffee mug with water in it, and then put the bottle in the warm mug for a few minutes to warm it up (never microwave a bottle!). 

iowagirl73

1. At 5mos I'd probably not use the newborn/slow flow nipple.  I change nipple stages when it starts taking LO forever to finish a bottle and/or around the time of the ages listed on the different nipples.  My 4mos old is on Playtex Drop-In medium flow and stage 2 on Advent bottles.

2. I use warm tap water when preparing bottles.  You always put in the amount of water and then the formula.  I stir with a spoon because it causes less bubbles (even though they go away) and because if there are any chunks of formula that don't get dissolved (it happens) I've already got a spoon out so I can scoop it out.

rinny627

1. I hear that since breast milk flows slower, a slower flowing nipple would be best to start with. (I ff since birth so I'm not too sure on that) You could try a fast flowing nipple and see how it goes, if it doesn't go well, at least you'll have them for when your LO is ready. We switched after he turned 3 months.

2. I use distilled water at room temp (they come in gallons for less than a buck at the grocery store). If you want it warm, you can do either option you just said. 

IEtoLA

I am just now transitioning to formula too! DD was started on the level 2 Avent nipples because the level 1s were too slow for her.  She still seems to ne fine with them.  I've noticed most girls on here will only change the nipples if their LO is taking too long to eat or getting frustrated.  I've been using tap or bottled...whichever is around.  I asked just last night about heating it and some girls said they use the tap water warm straight from faucet.  I tried this last night, as it was my first attempt giving DD bottles of formula at night, and she didn't fuss...and she is picky when it comes to the warmth of the formula.

ladysingstheblues

We use level 2 avent nipples which are still considered "slow flow."  Like pp said, use the slowest your LO will tolerate.

We use bottled water, but will probably just get a filter for the faucet soon.  I make one days worth of formula in a pitcher/jug and keep it in the fridge.  Then I *gasp* microwave before giving to LO.  Yeah, you're not supposed to b/c it can cause hotspots that could burn, but I only put it in for about 30 seconds to take the chill off, and then shake shake shake. 

Mixed formula is good in the fridge only 24 hours.  Room temp is good for two hours.  Once baby has started drinking from the bottle, it's only good for one hour.

SusieQ1982

1. Yes, he's on a fast flow nipple from Playtex. We moved him up when he seemed to be working too hard on the slow flow.

2. We boil spring water for his formula, like it recommends on the can and by Public Health. They do not recommend using tap water unless it is hard water and it's boiled. We use a softener so we buy spring water.

Tara&Ryan

IEtoLA:

I am just now transitioning to formula too! DD was started on the level 2 Avent nipples because the level 1s were too slow for her.  She still seems to ne fine with them.  I've noticed most girls on here will only change the nipples if their LO is taking too long to eat or getting frustrated.  I've been using tap or bottled...whichever is around.  I asked just last night about heating it and some girls said they use the tap water warm straight from faucet.  I tried this last night, as it was my first attempt giving DD bottles of formula at night, and she didn't fuss...and she is picky when it comes to the warmth of the formula.

Oh my goodness your LO is such a cutie pie!!! Good luck with the transition to formula. I have DH give her the bottle because she refuses it from me and it makes me feel sooo bad!! But she is doing pretty good with it otherwise.