I usually breastfeed, but would like to try formula for the odd feed. I'm happy with sterilising all the 'equipment', but wondered why the water should not be reboiled. If I put freshly boiled and cooled water in a bottle (no powder) ready for a feed, how long is it ok to use?
2006-10-23 10:33:45 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
boiled water stored in clean covered containers should remain uncontaminated for at least 24 hours.
that being said it is not necessary to boil water unless you have an unsafe well, regular city tap water from a reputable source is just fine for your baby.
"equipment" only needs to be sanitized before the first use after that save the time and just wash it like you do normal dishes (baby formula is not sterile)
I also want to mention reboiling water does not diminish its nutrient content as previously stated (water has no nutrient content), boiling water leaches minerals from the pot into the water, when you reboil more are leached so higher levels of contaminates are present.
2006-10-23 10:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by tpuahlekcip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely no longer than 24hrs. Boiling water once kills bacteria but reboiling it takes any of the natural goodness found in water.
My method is sterilising, boiling water and then filling bottles up and leaving them out so that they cool down to room temperature. I then add formula as and when my daughter requires. A vigorous couple of shakes and it all blends together nicely!
An added benefit is that my daughter will now take milk whether it is at room temp i.e. cool or whether it is heated up. I know that some mothers have problems with getting their children to adjust to different temps which can make it hard when weaning comes around.
For more information, I would suggest that you visit a fantastic and highly informative website that I belong to called Baby Centre - www.babycentre.co.uk
There are birth clubs associated with the month you gave birth where you can chat to other women of all different positions and get different perspectives. I really would recommend it as an excellent source for all mothers/mothers-to-be.
Congratulations on the breastfeeding by the way. After a traumatic labour, i couldn't face it unfortunately but I admire those who do.
NB. If you have a dishwasher, you do not need to wash and sterilise bottles! You can just pop them in a seperate try and do the cycle. Midwife has recommended this as the high temps kill germs. Hope this helps you in some way.
2006-10-23 10:54:54 · answer #2 · answered by cazzamuffin1 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do not reboil because it looses minerals and all thats left is the limescale particles - bad for kidneys
I was told that boiled water was good for about 4 hours. I gave my baby boiled water to drink after 6 hours and nothing has happened to her. Probably would be Ok for formula as well but you would need to warm up the water - make the formula and stand it in a bowl of very very hot water - it is not quick but it is safe - or use a bottle warmer if you can borrow one
2006-10-23 10:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by justme 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can use boiled water that has cooled down. After you made the formula, you must use it in the next 24 hours. Keeping cooled water in a bottle will work, but sometimes the formula won't dissolve as quickly.
2006-10-23 23:57:31 · answer #4 · answered by Charmaine V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I boiled water placed it in a sparkling sterile jug and used that water to make formula after ;my toddler grew to become into 4 months old, I nursed till then i do no longer what why yet I honestly have heard no longer microwave bottles or water for bottles. i think of that considering your toddler is so youthful i could use sterile water for some months longer yet i do no longer see what's incorrect in boiling it merely before time and utilising it as mandatory
2016-11-25 00:54:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be perfectly honest with you, (I hope people don't condemn me for this) but as long as the water was cooled and had been boiled before (Once or more) I used it, and my baby never had any problems whatsoever. shes never even been ill and shes now 15 months. I think they try and make it so babies are protected from every possible little germ, whereas I think if they have no access to germs at all, how will they be protected from them once they get past breastfeeding. All the time your baby is drinking your milk, he or she has all the immunities you do, and I'm sure you don't use fresh water every time you boil the kettle!!
Good luck any way you do it :D
2006-10-23 22:42:25 · answer #6 · answered by Resolution 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
boil it once & put it in the bottles then leave it an hour & put the formula in - you can then keep it inthe fridge for no longer than 24 hours
2006-10-23 22:05:50 · answer #7 · answered by swoodleybird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should boil the water once to kill any gems/bacteria (obvious i know) but you shouldn't boil it again as you will remove any nutrients that are present in the water, i found the formula milk mixes better if you make up the bottle whilst the water still has a bit of warmth to it, but not too hot as it tends to leave small lumps in the milk that tend to block the teat.
2006-10-23 10:44:44 · answer #8 · answered by The Mama 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
24 hours at the most no longer
2006-10-24 05:58:33 · answer #9 · answered by sweety-pie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
48 hours
2006-10-23 10:36:42 · answer #10 · answered by fourcheeks4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋