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May 2015 Moms
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Formula causing anxiety- how do you mix your powder formulas?!

ladyteach0505ladyteach0505 member
in May 2015 Moms
I know this sounds nuts, but DD is 6 weeks old and we are still buying those individual bottles of Enfamil, which is getting HELLA expensive as she eats more.  :(  I thought we would use powder and never had anxiety about it until we were getting ready to leave the hospital and a nurse warned me about the dangers of powdered formula- apparently some babies died a few years ago from a botulism issue in the powdered formula.  Now I literally can't bring myself to buy the powder and DH is going nuts.  I'm just LOST as to how you're supposed to prepare it safely.  The can isn't clear because it says something about asking your pediatrician about boiling.  When we asked the pediatrician she acted like you can just mix the powder with tap water.  If that's the case then how do you ensure that the powder is good?!  From what I've read online the powder can't be purchased "sterilized".

I'm lost and literally everyone I know is breast feeding...minus a  few people in real life that I am too embarrassed to ask, I  guess.  HELP!
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Re: Formula causing anxiety- how do you mix your powder formulas?!

  • babinantebabinante member
    I use tap water and dump the formula in, shake it up and give it to my baby! Don't overthink it girl!
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  • MrsS728MrsS728 member
    We use nursery water (84 cents at Wally) it doesn't have fluoride and other stuff (we have a water softener because the waster here is SO chlorinated) and mix the formula is 4 ounce batches (she's taking 3 ounces at a time). Formula can be shaken, breast milk is supposed to be swirled (something about breaking down proteins?)
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  • italianbella213italianbella213 member
    Dr Browns makes a formula mixing pitcher. It mixes the formula with no clumps and then you can put it in the fridge and use the formula that's in there for the next 24 hours. I love it!
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  • nursej519nursej519 member
    I use filtered water.. We have well water and it's awful -- I don't even drink it. My pediatrician said if it is safe for me, it is safe for her. Nursery water is also a cheap alternative, or bottled water, but it gets expensive. I mix mine in 3 oz batches. 1 1/2 scoop for 3 oz of water. The scoop has a "half" line so it works out nice.
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  • afergerson15afergerson15 member
    I wouldn't use tap water because it can have all kinds of bacteria in it. So I use nursery water. My DD is taking 3 oz at a time, and any can I've ever read says 1 scoop per 2oz of water. So I do a scoop and a half for 3oz. :) I've been using powder from the very start!
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  • ladyteach0505ladyteach0505 member
    Thanks for the responses.  I guess the thing I'm still confused about is the warning on the can about how powder can't be sterilized.  Does that mean that you're probably okay unless there's a fluke situation?  The thing that is so hard about newborns is that everyone is so afraid of getting sued that they don't give you advice because God forbid you take it and something happens.  I guess the water thing doesn't seem like such a big deal to me so much as the powder?!  :/
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  • ldmwldmw member
    edited June 2015
    You're worrying over nothing, which is what we mommy's do. Follow the advice of previous posters and you'll be fine.
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  • AnissaBrownAnissaBrown member
    I have a BabyBreeza and I love it.
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  • crkeatingcrkeating member
    I have a babybrezza too, best thing ever!!
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  • SmrBrd2012SmrBrd2012 member
    edited June 2015
    Breastmilk isn't sterile either. You're overthinking!
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  • ali0608ali0608 member
    You are definitely over thinking this. We use tap water. Similac's website says tap water should be used over bottled water,if drinkable. I thought you wanted the flouride? Our tap water is good so that's what we are using.

    I should say I'm not a person to freak out about germs and bacteria like others are.

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  • mrswynn2014mrswynn2014 member
    I asked my dr because the lady at the hospital said you had to boil the water to make it sterile. Dr said to use nursery water or boil water. No tap water or bottled water. On the nursery water container it says it is sterile and safe to mix without boiling.
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  • MrsElizabethPlanoMrsElizabethPlano member
    You never really know what's in your tap water...after the recent floods we got flyers telling us of all the bacteria in ours so I'm glad we're not using formula much. When we do it's bottled or jug water. You should sterilize tap even though baby will PROBABLY be fine with it not sterilized. 
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  • Amber WoodsAmber Woods member
    My lactation consultant said no powder until like 6 weeks I think. I asked my pediatrician and he said it was fine. I do use the nursery water. It's inexpensive
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  • ali0608ali0608 member

    You all made me a little paranoid so I went back to the notes we got at my son's newborn appointment.  Our pediatrician notes specifically says use tap water and NOT to use bottled water.  It specifically says babies need the fluoride found in our tap water.

    With that said, I'm assuming this is a very regional thing.  Our tap water here is fine.  It's obviously not sterile, but neither is bottled water.  I will continue to do what our doctor says.

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  • afergerson15afergerson15 member
    I totally agree, I think it is regional. I live in southern middle TN and I don't know of anyone who has used tap water. My ped advises against it and to only use nursery water. But don't sweat it girl! I am the exact way and stress over teensy little things. You're just doing what mommas do and making sure you're doing everything you can to keep your LO safe and healthy :)
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  • Erica414Erica414 member
    We also bought the nursery water... And was told to keep it at room temperature....if u have water filter like a brita pitcher they told us is just as good.... And u could keep it in a pitcher on the counter for up to 24 hours.
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  • alliebsmithalliebsmith member
    My OB and our pediatrician said to buy distilled water to mix with. I buy the gallons at the grocery store and keep them on my kitchen counter at room temperature. Then I add the formula and shake it up....easy peasy! Don't overthink it!
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  • sherriems11sherriems11 member
    My OB and pediatrician both told me to use distilled water to mix formula until 6 months and then use nursey water for the fluoride but not until 6 months. My friends pediatrician told her the same thing use distilled.. So that's what I am using! Hope that helps!
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