Feeding Questions

For those that bottle feed...what's your system?
I thought it would be easier to make the formula in batches. At least enough for 4-5 feedings. Does anyone else do this? How do you do it? Do you just use a pitcher or do you pre-fill bottles? How do you mix the formula without getting lumps? (I hate to shake it because of the foam it makes.)

Also, how many bottles do you have? I'm thinking of switching from the Playtex Drop-Ins to the reusable Avent Airflex (or something like that...). I've got 3 of the 4oz Avent just to see if the babies would even like them. They seem to be doing fine so now I'm trying to figure out how many bottles I would need. And I was thinking of just getting the bigger bottles since they'll need those at some point.

And my DS seems to dribble a lot when he's eating. I thought it was a nipple issue (and one of the reasons I started thinking about changing bottles) but he seems to do it with any bottle type. Sometimes I swear it looks like half his bottle is running out the corners of his mouth and then sometimes he'll hardly dribble any. (No problems with DD. She doesn't waste a drop! :laughing: ) Do any of you have this problem? What did you do?


I know there are a lot of questions here!


Thanks!

 

I make the bottles as I need them. I use tap water so when the boys are hungry I just fill up the bottles with water and scoop in the formula. I shake it and there is foam. For me it is not easier to have to heat the bottles up, that is why I don't premake them. It always seems like it takes forever to heat them up.

 

We do our bottles up in big batches, we started out making them as we needed them and find that batches is much easier. I make 6 bottles per baby at once, that is usually enough to get us through 24 hours. I use one of the giant pyrex measuring cups, fill it with the correct amount of water and powder (there is a guide on the formula can) and whisk it all together. Then I fill each bottle and put it in the fridge. I think at this point we make 2.5 of the big batches on the formula can.

My DS is a messy eater as well, always dribbling out the side, he got better at one point, but then we switched to fast flow nipples and he's dribbling again. I think it's pretty normal. DS just wears more absorbent bibs!

As far as bottles, we have used Playtex Ventaires from day one and never had any problems, I've never tried anything else though. I would suggest if you are going to go out and buy new bottles that you buy the bigger 8-9 ounce ones. We have some big and little ones and we are having to retire the smaller ones b/c they don't hold enough formula.

Good luck and happy feeding!

 

I made bottles as I needed them with tap water. Heating them up seems to take too long. I started my kids on the Platex drop ins and switched to the Evenflo Comfi bottle around 3 months. We liked the drop ins, but buying the liners after awhile seemed like an expense we didn't need. For the bottles I had around 15 of them. That way I had enough for an entire day and if for some reason I didn't get them washed at night, I had a set or two for the next day till I found time to clean them. If you decide to switch, I would get the bigger bottles also. You will need them as they get bigger.

As far as the dribbling, could the nipple be too fast (maybe an older nipple that has "relaxed")? Maybe he is taking in too much too fast and can't swallow it all? Or it could be normal, my son did that sometimes too.

 

We use platex vent aire and love them. I make big batches on the weekends. I mix up 4 bottles at a time in a jug. I shake it and then let it sit and reshake, then I let it sit some more and then pour in bottles. There no bubbles if you let it sit for a little while. My girls always dribbled until just recently and they are 7 months old. Oh yeah I would probably buy the bigger bottles also.
Good luck and you will get it all figured out.

Missy

 

I fill enough bottles for the bext day with water. At this point that is 4 each. 8oz. for him and 7oz. for her. I have the cereal (reflux) and formula in little divided containers all pre measured.

When it is approaching meal time I add the powders and shake. About 15 minutes later I feed it to them.

We schedule feed here so waiting 15 minutes is not a problem.

 

I make enough bottles to last for 24 hrs, which at this point is about 16. I use the pitcher/ice cup that they gave me in the hospital. It has ounce marks on the side, so I end up making about +/- two 28 oz pitchers and pour the bottles and put them in the fridge. I got two fairly cheap bottle warmers so I can have them both going at the same time. When it's time to eat, I change both diapers and by the time that's finished, the bottles are ready. As far as bottles, we are still experimenting and using a couple of different kinds. We use the Avent and Nuk. I don't care for the Nuk because the nipple has to be turned in a certain direction and during the middle of the night feedings, it annoys me to have to hold it up to the night light so I can see if it is turned right. I will most likely be getting rid of those soon. My boys are 3 mos today (2 mos adjusted). Good Luck!
B)

 

I would make 6-8 bottles at a time - just in the bottle with tap water and shake. I actually used the hospital bottles at first as the girls were used to these when they were getting breast milk (they fit on the pump) After that I did use the platex ones - but warming them was a pain in the butt - I went through the cheapies like gerber, then switched to soothies. The nipple was like their paci from the hospital and I've been using them ever since. When I started using formula (at 2 mos) I would make 8 bottles at once for the evening - early morning - Then do another 8 for the daytime etc. This was easy for me as I could just pop a bottle in the micro for 10 seconds and it was warm etc. I tried making big batches of formula in a pitcher - but didn't like the idea of it not being completly sealed etc. You'll find a system that works best for you. I had tons of the hospital bottles so that wasn't an issue, but once they started drinking more than 4 oz - we had to go to bigger bottles - I would have Dad do wash duty as we probably only had about 10 bottles total. I felt in those first months, all I did was wash bottles. Good Luck