FFers please come in

Mrs.Greg

So I've been BFing my girls for 7 months and I'm suddenly not pumping nearly as much as I was when I first went back to work.  We are going to have the nanny add a little bit of formula to their bottles while I'm at work to get them used to the taste and to help make my freezer stash last a little longer.  But I have no idea how to make formula and the directions on the can are limited.  Does the water need to be warm for it to dissolve?  If so, how warm can I make it?  I'm worried about it being chunky.  Ick!  I'd like to make a jug of it and put it in the fridge for the nanny to be able to just pour into a bottle and warm.  I don't want her to have to make a couple of oz each time the babies eat.  If I warm the water a little, is it ok to refrigerate it after it's mixed?  Can I shake it mix it?  I only ask because you're not supposed to shake bottles of breastmilk but I've never understood why.  TIA!!

melissajo2011

We use the Dr. Browns pitcher, which makes 40 oz at a time and mixes it well. You can shake it - I believe the reason not to shake BM is that you break up fragile components in it. You want to let the formula sit for awhile after shaking, though, to avoid gas in LO. I never warm the water before making it, just use at room temp. I also store it in the fridge, the package says it's ok for 24 h. GL!

ougrad1

The absolute easiest way to do formula is to use room temp bottle water.  Measure out the amount of formula, pour the water in and serve.  : )

eyelovemascara

I found out really quickly that formula powder just doesn't dissolve with cold water! In my opinion it dissolves best in warm water, but if you are going to make a big pitcher, just use room temp and then put it in the fridge. Just make sure you tell the nanny that when she warms up a bottle, shake it up before serving because I find that there are still chunks at the bottom when stored in the fridge. I usually shake it to dissolve, then swirl it around to get out the bubbles. Shaken, then swirled.

GeauxTigers82

ougrad1:

The absolute easiest way to do formula is to use room temp bottle water.  Measure out the amount of formula, pour the water in and serve.  : )

Totally. I just poured bottled water in the bottle (how ever many oz. I wanted), scooped in the formula, shake, and feed! It does get pretty bubbly when you shake it, so let it set a few seconds/minutes.

I don't know if all formulas are the same, but the ratio of Neosure and Similac Advance is 2 oz. water, 1 scoop formula. So...if you want to make a 4 oz. bottle, you put in 4 oz. water, with 2 scoops formula, and so on...).