How NOT to waste formula?

AshleyMF1983 · October 2011

Hi ladies, I will be bumping LO up to 5 Oz soon. As formula feeding mommies know, on the canister they only tell you how to mix 2, 4, or 6 oz. When she was eating 3 Oz I would just prepare 4 but dump out the extra ounce. How can I avoid doing this? I don't want to waste formula but I want to ensure I am using the proper amount. Thanks!

LadyVi33 · October 2011

I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

katie4253 · October 2011

I use a food scale and measure (in grams) the amount for an ounce.

cherihall20 · October 2011

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

This

hcdekarske · October 2011

I always lurk on this board and never post, but I saw your post and felt compelled to share what has helped us.

When we finally stopped mixing F by the bottle and got a Dr. Brown's pitcher we stopped wasting so much, it helps a lot. You can just pour what you need. You can get all your bottles ready with the amount you need and stop wasting it. It helped a ton.

dairygirl19 · October 2011

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

Word. I've babysat at on of ff kids and this is what we do. It's important to get the measurement right, but it's not necessarily an exact enough science that you need to dump out the extra ounce.

Or make a 20 oz. pitcher. That'll get you four bottles even no extra math required.

memali26 · October 2011

We mix a large pitched of formula and pour it into bottles from there. We use the Dr. Browns formula mixing pitcher. I mix the lowest amount I think she'll take in 24 hours, since that's how long it's good for in the refrigerator. When DD1 was on formula and taking 3 7oz bottles a day, I would mix 20 oz water with 10 scoops formula (would make about 22 oz formula). I just change the amounts as the amount she took in each sitting increased. I still tossed an oz or two occasionally, but was wasting a lot less than I would have by over-mixing at every feeding.

I did very rarely do the half scoop thing PP mentioned. I prefer not to do that because it's a less exact measurement, but it worked for times when I needed to pack bottle fixings and would have beenun able to keep a pre-made bottle cold in a cooler for whatever reason.

alstumb@gmail.com · October 2011

cherihall20:

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

This

Yep, that's what we did for 3 oz.

AshleyMF1983 · October 2011

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

Yep that's also the same as my formula. I just don't trust my eyes to estimate 1/2 a scoop.

LadyVi33 · October 2011

I hear you on that. AT first, I was really anal with the scoop. Dumping it out and retrying several times. The pedi, though, said it wouldn't be a big deal if we used a little too much water, or too little. Basically, he said it wouldn't be hurting anything if we were off a little bit in our measurements as long as he seems full and his weight gain is normal. (Yes, I'm anal enough that I asked my pedi this question!) Hope that helps ease your mind a bit

The Dr. Brown's pitcher is a good suggestion as well. We just don't do this because I like to give LO formula at room temp, and while he'll drink it cold, he shivers. I don't want to heat it up every time, we're lazy!

Beckypooh09 · October 2011

AshleyMF1983:
LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!
Yep that's also the same as my formula. I just don't trust my eyes to estimate 1/2 a scoop.

We do the half scoop as well but if you don't trust yourself to eye the half scoop just dump the extra ounce or whatever it may be in a bottle and put it in the fridge. By the time you have a full bottle you can just warm it and use it.

MandiNewMommy · October 2011

cherihall20:

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

This

me too!

DuncanD80 · October 2011

Make up 6oz and put the extra ounce in another bottle, then when you go to make your next bottle you would add 4oz of water and 2 scoops of formula to that bottle. No wasting money down the drain:)

SarahPLiz · October 2011

Seriously, you dumped it out because you can't do simple math? Fractions, dear.

Karma01 · October 2011

we use the mixing pitcher from dr. brown and works well for us

lanbob · October 2011

When i make Lil Man's i make an even amount and store extra for the next bottle. It's easier for me to do that but he only eats 1 bottle a day and nurses the rest of the time. You could also make two bottles at a time. Just mix an eight oz in one then two in the other and spilt it.

carig63 · October 2011

hcdekarske:

I always lurk on this board and never post, but I saw your post and felt compelled to share what has helped us.

When we finally stopped mixing F by the bottle and got a Dr. Brown's pitcher we stopped wasting so much, it helps a lot. You can just pour what you need. You can get all your bottles ready with the amount you need and stop wasting it. It helped a ton.

Absolutely, definitely. Been a lifesaver for me, too.

AshleyMF1983 · October 2011

SarahPLiz:
Seriously, you dumped it out because you can't do simple math? Fractions, dear.

I have a Master's degree in statistics, dear. Don't be so damn snarky.

lisamoe · October 2011

dairygirl19:

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

Word. I've babysat at on of ff kids and this is what we do. It's important to get the measurement right, but it's not necessarily an exact enough science that you need to dump out the extra ounce.

Or make a 20 oz. pitcher. That'll get you four bottles even no extra math required.

this

WhitePicketFence · October 2011

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

This is what I do, too, when making an individual bottle. Most of the time I just use the Dr. Browns pitcher.

SarahPLiz · October 2011

AshleyMF1983:
SarahPLiz:
Seriously, you dumped it out because you can't do simple math? Fractions, dear.
I have a Master's degree in statistics, dear. Don't be so damn snarky.

I'm just amazed that you wasted formula because you couldn't figure out how to make just 3 oz, or make 6 oz and split it in half. I just thought your question was ridiculous. I'm surprised no one else did.

katie4253 · October 2011

SarahPLiz:
Seriously, you dumped it out because you can't do simple math? Fractions, dear.

Annoying.

I feed neosure. It is a high calorie formula. I want to make sure I get exact 1/2 amount. So, I weigh it. Not everyone is comfortable "eyeballing it". No need to be a hater.

SarahPLiz · October 2011

Weighing it would be a common sense solution if you don't want to eyeball it. I never said to eyeball it. I just thought it was a ridiculous question, and I am free to say it. You are free to be annoyed by it.

kimmer04mae · October 2011

No question is ridiculous when you are a mom trying to figure out what works for you and asking for advice from others if you dont like the question and dont have any helpfull coments you dont need to coment thats just rude to put her down for asking a question.

WhitePicketFence · October 2011

kimmer04mae:
No question is ridiculous when you are a mom trying to figure out what works for you and asking for advice from others if you dont like the question and dont have any helpfull coments you dont need to coment thats just rude to put her down for asking a question.

Holy run-on sentence.

slaneyra · October 2011

I use Nestle Goodstart and it also calls for 1 level unpacked scoop of powdered formula (each scoop contains 8.7 grams of formula) per 60 ml of water (basically 2 ounces). So for 5 ounces I use 2 and a half scoops per 180 ml (5 oz) of water

isisbluu · October 2011

I use RTF formula, and pour exactly what I want.

Yellow_Daisy · October 2011

I just eye ball a 1/2 scoop. Then again I am so not into leveling, weighing, etc. I get a scoop of formula, sometimes it's rounded and a little extra and sometimes it's just right. DS is still alive and thriving so I'm not worried about whether it's exactly a scoop or 1/2 scoop. I can see if DS was on special formula for preemis, weigh gain, AR being so exact, but with a baby with no feeding issues it just seems like overkill and a lot of stress on you to worry if the you've got exactly a half scoop or completely level, etc. Maybe I'm too laid back about it. If you don't want to eye ball it people have given you good suggestions. Good Luck.

kellbranc · October 2011

LadyVi33:
I don't know what kind of formula you're using, but with ours, one scoop (that comes with the formula can) = 2 oz. So if we're making, say, 3 oz, we just use 1 1/2 scoops and 3 oz water. Isn't that an option for you? I'd never dump formula out like that, it's like gold!

I do this also!

aimeelynn116 · October 2011

memali26:

We mix a large pitched of formula and pour it into bottles from there. We use the Dr. Browns formula mixing pitcher. I mix the lowest amount I think she'll take in 24 hours, since that's how long it's good for in the refrigerator. When DD1 was on formula and taking 3 7oz bottles a day, I would mix 20 oz water with 10 scoops formula (would make about 22 oz formula). I just change the amounts as the amount she took in each sitting increased. I still tossed an oz or two occasionally, but was wasting a lot less than I would have by over-mixing at every feeding.

This. We premix and fill all of the bottles he'll take in 24 hours and then use a bottle warmer.

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