Formula Bottles on the Go

You have already gotten the answers I would have given, but I wanted to say what an awesome lady you are for helping out with this young couple's baby!

I was 26 when my son was born and I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't had Nana and Gramma (my mother) around to help so much. I am especially grateful to Nana, since she is not a blood relative, but rather a "chosen" or adopted grandma for my son. She was (and still is) what helped me keep my sanity as a youngish, severely sleep-deprived and socially anxious first-time mother.

Bless you for being there for this couple.
Jen

There are containers you can buy at Target or the like that have 3 compartments in them and are for formula. Just put how much formula for the amount that baby drinks in each compartment (they can typically hold 3 scoops of formula which is enough for 6oz of mixed formula). Then put water in the bottle or an empty water bottle if you don't want to put it in the bottle itself in the diaper bag. For my babies when they preferred warm formula over room temp, I'd put really hot water in the bottle and then put that in a little cooler type thing that came with the Similac diapers bags they used to give out at the hospital. It kept the water warm. I'd actually take 2 bottles with...one with the really hot water in it and the other with room temp-the hot one would keep the other one to just about the right temp and then if I needed the 2nd bottle, it would still have a little warmth. Also, if that's not enough warm water, if you are at a McDonald's or something and you REALLY need the water warmed up, they will do it for you, but be aware that it might get too warm. (I may have looked desparate enough for them to do it, so don't take my word on this.) ;)

Not sure if someone mentioned this but I know similac makes travel pouches (4 ounces in each sleeve) of formula. A box of 12 or so was about $10. I have found them at Target, Walmart and the grocery stores. Not sure tho if other brands make them.

It says right on the can that formula is only good for up to ONE HOUR after it's prepared. Otherwise it needs to be prepared and refrigerated RIGHT AWAY until it is used. Then, Once baby starts drinking it, only good for one hour (now I will push it a bit, but that's my choice and I don't let my MIL do that b/c she tends to lose track of time). We have always used room temperature water for that very reason--then baby doesn't demand warm bottles; we've been very lucky as both girls will take any temperature as long as it's not freezing cold or way too hot. Also, check target, walmart, etc--they make circular formula holders divided into 3 sections, so you would scoop the formula in those and then have bottles pre-filled with water, then dump formula in when ready and shake. Won't work though if baby insists on a warm bottle. I also bought a smaller can of formula for longer trips and refill it from my big can--then I don't have to lug the big can around. Hope that helps.

You should follow the timing on the back of the formula container. It says it can be prepared and kept in the fridge for 24 hr. When the bottle is drank from it is only good for 1 hr. When I go out I do what others noted and just bring a bottle with water. Then use the to-go formula packets or fill a container with formula. We don't warm our bottles and our baby has always taken them just fine.

my kids drank cold formula, no never had to warm up for them. so when we went out, we either brought bottles already made up and kept them in a little cooler, or just brought an empty bottle with formula in it and brought a bottle of water and just mixed it up when we needed. at home, we made a pitcher of formula at a time and kept in the fridge...seems to be okay for about 2 days.

I used to put the right amount of powder in the bottles and bring bottled water (it comes in tiny bottles now) to open and mix when I needed to. My kids took it room temperature.

When I go out I will put the formula (powder) in the bottle only. I will bring along bottled water at room temperature and mix it when I need it. I also have a diaper bag that has another little bag with ice packs in it to keep it ready to go. When I use this, I make up the bottle (with warm water) ahead of time and then it is usually room temp. by the time I am ready to use it.

As far as how long it can sit out, I have been told by hospital nurses and my pediatrician that it can sit out for an hour and to toss any left over away because the nutrients are broken down by then from baby's saliva etc. Preparing bottles ahead of time and refrigerating them would probably be good for 24 hours?? But I am not 100% sure on that. Good luck!
A.

I agree with most of what has been said. Those divided formula containers are a lifesaver. I write on the side what size bottle each section will make (sometimes my baby just needs to be topped off and doesn't need a full-size bottle). I carry a 20 oz. water bottle in the back-pack so I can pour the amount I need at the time.
I believe a pre-made formula bottle is good for 2 hours and can be kept in the fridge for a day.
I also use the bottle liners (so nice!) and change it every time. I have a bunch of bottle nipples, so I just pop a clean one on each time, too.
My babies take their bottles at room temperature.

They sell bottle warmers you can plug in, in a car.

They sell small cooler bags and heating packs you warm before you leave home. (babies r us)

Otherwise I trained my daughter to take her bottles at room temperature. I make a bottle before we leave home if I know she's gonna be hungry soon. And or I fill a bottle with water and just add the formula when were out and about.

Formula can prepared and then refrigerated for 2 days. If the baby has not had a drink from the bottle it can be out for 2 hours. If the baby has already had a drink of it, only 1 hour.
Personally I started out putting water in a travel thermos to keep it lukewarm and bringing along one of those sectioned powdered formula holders. Then once he was okay drinking water of any temperature, I started putting the correct amount of water in the bottle before our outing. But as he got bigger and I was able to predict how much he wanted, and also when he started drinking 8 ounce bottles I needed something that held more formula so I used those 8 ounce sample cans and just kept refilling it with formula and brought along dry bottles and bottled water.

If you are worried about warming it up, there are bottle warmers as mentioned, but I loved the travel thermos. Mine held 16 ounces, so it was good for 4 bottles in the beginning and 2 bottles as he got bigger.
In fact one thing was helped me out a lot when he was first born was to buy a good quality pumping coffee carafe to use at home. Each night before bed I would fill it up with warm water and it held the water I would use for bottles all day long the next day. You can just pump out the correct amount into the bottle without using the sink and trying to get the temperature right each time. Mine was $20 at Target [Thermos brand even!] and it was a life-saver to have at home

Just put the desired ounces in his bottle and take a small rubbermaid container with the premeasured scoops in it so that you can mix it when needed. It's nice that it's not cold out right now so you don't have to worry about the water getting cold. They make special containers for the formula that have 3 different compartments in them for 3 feedings if you are interested...you can find them at babies r us, target, etc. They are pretty cheap!

I never made formula bottles in advance. I kept them full with the exact amount of water, room temperature. And I kept little containers with me in my diaper bag with the exact amount of formula powder. So when my son was hungry, I poured in the formula powder, shook up the bottle, and we were good to go.

Let me first say that it is awesome that you are helping her out with her son. I understand feeling aged, one of the boys I used to babysit since he was about 1 just graduated. I babysat for about 5 or more years prior to him so I am sure some of these kids have had kids. Anyway, your question about the formula. It can be made up to 24 hours in advance and can only be kept out of the fridge about an hour before it is supposed to be dumped, I went up to an hour and a half. I would just put the bottle in a cooler bag and depending on how long you are going to be gone maybe put an ice pack in with it. As for heating it up, unless you have access to warm water I don't know other than pulling it out of the bag about 15 or so minutes prior to when you will need it. Good luck!

I had a little travel powder formula container. It was divided up into sections that held I think up to 8 oz in each section. (You can buy them at Target or Toys 'r' Us) I would bring room temperature water in the bottle and mix in the formula when I needed it. I never warmed any of their bottles. My kids just took them at room temperature.

Hi S.....all three of our kids drank bottles with water that was at room temperature. When kept a big glass of water on the counter and we used it when we made a bottle, then we would fill it back up and let it sit a couple of hours until the next feeding. Our ped said formula could sit for an hour then it should be thrown out. Hope that helps you....it sounds like you are certainly helping this young mom out :) God Bless!

I give my 4m old son expressed breastmilk at home. He also gets 1 formula bottle at night. But, whenever we are out & about I just bring a bottle of the ready-to-use formula. They come in 2oz, 6oz & 8oz bottles. I haven't been able to find a 4oz one yet. I also usually feed him just before we leave so he's good for a few hours. With the ready made bottles I just have to bring a nipple/ring & we're good to go. With my daughter she was formula fed & I just made up a batch for the day & brought a bottle in a bottle warmer, the type that was like a liquid pack & you snap a button & the liquid turned to a gel when warmed (can't remember the name) When it was just about time to feed I just pressed the snap button & it warmed up in about 5-10min or so. It is reusable by boiling the pack until it returned to liquid. They also make warmers that plug into the car. I have found this time around it is easier & less stuff I have to bring w/the ready to feed bottles.