formula preparation question

andre · May 14, 2005

When I did OB clinicals, if the baby was on formula they used bottles of ready to drink stuff. All we had to do was screw on a nipple....

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · May 14, 2005

On the rare occasion when we do have to mix formula, yes you do use sterile water, never from the tap.

Also, parents should be boiling water before mixing formula and they should try to refrain from using bottled water as it does not have fluoride in it.

mitchsmom · May 14, 2005

Thanks again! :)

prmenrs, RN · May 14, 2005

You don't have to do that--it's all ready to feed for term babies. The only thing you have to mix is fortifier for breast milk for premies.

And, besides, those moms should be breastfeeding!!!! Try to read as much as possible about that.

Fiona59 · May 14, 2005

It was always ready to go in those 120 ml bottles that you attach the nipples to.

When it comes to patient teaching, its the mothers choice how she chooses to feed her child. So, you just tell them how to clean the bottles, prepare the formula, etc. You can also throw in that the powder formula is cheaper than the concentrate and just as easy to prepare, if anything its less wasteful as the open can is usually good for a week as compared to 24 hours for the concentration.

Yes, we tried to promote breastfeeding, but as long as the child is fed, thriving, and cared for, its the mothers choice. I've heard some wacko reasons for not breastfeeding including "my sister in law the earthmother grossed me out so much I'm never doing it....". Turned out her SIL breastfeed until the child was four and would do it whenever, wherever even with a three year old..

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · May 15, 2005

Also, parents should be boiling water before mixing formula and they should try to refrain from using bottled water as it does not have fluoride in it.

My daughter is a NICU graduate and when she was discharged, we were told that as long as our water was "city" water and not well water, we could use the H2O straight from the tap-we didn't have to boil it for formula mixing. Our fridge has a water purifier in it, so I try to use it more-I don't even drink our water from the tap; I can smell the chlorine in it a mile away!

Speaking about breastfeeding, I did try. I knew it was much better for my daughter, but she wouldn't latch on and despite pumping around the clock every 2-3 hours, I just couldn't get my milk in very well at all and eventually dried up. :stone She did get colostrum and the mature milk for 2-3 weeks, but she is thriving very well on formula. :)

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · May 15, 2005

In the past year we have been telling parents to boil water, our dietician feels that it is better safe than sorry later down the road. You might be on a boil alert and not know it in the middle of the night or your taps screens might need changed. Just food for thought.