Carrying Formula in Diaper Bag

Buy a wrap around ice pack -- should be good for a few hours if not exposed to too much heat.

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Dear S. B,

I'm an experienced mother of '5'... I learned a long time ago, due to not having a car (and living in a VERY very HOT climate (see Desert))... and having to use 'public transportation'... the easiest way to KEEP formula was to carry powedered formula in containers that had pre-measured seperate sections... you can find these neat containers in places like Babies R' Us... pre-measure the powdered formula before you leave for the day... it's sorta like a round tupperware container w/ a lid that turns that has an opening big enough for the formula to come out... carry the bottles w/ the right amt. of water in them... and make the bottles on demand... get it? Problem solved! check out: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3502300 (You'll see what I'm talking about). Then carry the bottles pre-loaded w/ sterile H2O! That's the easiest answer I can share w/ you. I hope my suggestion helps!

Sincerely,

Aristokatz

I just always used that pouch for the plain water and then mixed the formula when baby was ready to eat. That way, it's never too hot or cold or yucky. :)

I used to just scoop the powder into the bottles and take them. You can fill up the water pretty much anywhere, or take bottled water for it. If you use powdered formula, that is.

You need to keep the formula cold so the diaper bag pocket won't work on its own.

With my twins, I bought insulated an bottle bag from Babies r us (about $10) which came with an ice pack. I added extra ice packs when bringing yogurt or additional bottles -- worked great.

For two babies, mixing powdered formula was just too much work and mess ... it was much easier to make all the bottles at one time in the morning with liquid formula and leave them in the fridge ready to go for the day.

Unless the bag stated that the pocket is thermal to keep bottles warm or cold, I wouldn't trust it. You can purchase a special thermal bottle bag. Otherwise, you need to follow the directions on the can and toss the formula after it has been unrefrigerated for the maximum length of time recommended.

Hi S.,

I used powder formula for my boys, so I'm not sure if this would work for ready-made formula. My boys didn't like cold bottles AT ALL, so I used a Thermos to keep my water warm and made the bottles as needed. I know it seems like just another thing to carry, but it guaranteed me a fresh warm bottle my boys would drink. Thermos are made to keep drinks both warm and cold, so I would think it would keep your formula cold too. I used to ask restaurants, coffee shops, etc for warm water, but some places just use sink water or didn't have hot water, just cold, so I found carrying a Thermos was a sure way to have warm water on hand. I would just put it in the dishwasher to wash and use it again next time I needed it.

Hope this helps some. God bless.

N.

I am with everyone else. I used the premade formula for the first 3 months when my daughter was born thinking it was easier on her tummy becuase the powder was already mixed and broken down...i thought wrong! As soon as i switched to the Powder Formula my life got much easier!!! She had less gas and it was easier for me to be away from home longer. I also got the Munchkin plastic container to have premeasured powder ready for each of her bottles. I fill her bottles with really warm water when we leave so by the time she drinks them they are just perfect. Premade formula i found to not be good at all!! What a waste of formula for one and inconvenient for two. :) Good Luck!

Like other moms out there said, I measure the formula powder into the bottle and add water that I keep in my bag for when baby wants to eat. You can also buy small thermal bottle bags that keep bottles cold and put them in your bag. They even make slightly bigger ones with ice-packs that will still fit in a diaper bag. This is good if you make your LAST bottle and baby decides he/she's not really hungry and you can't throw it out because you need to be out for a couple more hours!

If the formula is already mixed (with water), it's probably fine for an hour or so at room temperature. I'd suggest putting the formula powder in one bottle and then then the water in another bottle so you can just mix it on the go when you're ready. That way you'll know it's fresh when you give it to baby. :-) Or--even better--get one of those formula powder dispensers and keep it in the diaper bag. That way you can have one or two clean bottles that are ready to go when you need to mix a bottle on the run.

What we did was fill 4 bottles with water to the oz our daughter was drinking at the time. Then carried a small can of formula with us and made them as needed.
I think a bottle with formula and water is good for 4 hours, but I can't remember for sure. I would make them on the go, that way you won't waste any.
I had a friend who measured them out in those tiny zip lock bags and then cut the corner and poured the formula into the bottle.
Best of luck

Most formulas come in travel packets. I would use those when I was out and carry a bottle of water.

I'm with C. A - just fill bottles with water and then bring the powder separately. Or bring empty bottles and have the Starbucks/McDonalds/wherever you happen to be, fill the bottle with warm water for you, and add powder. In any case, this will ensure that the bottle hasn't been sitting for too long after it's made, and you won't waste any. Happy travels!

I got a small gel ice pack for mine and it will keep a bottle cold for several hours.