How to Pack Bottles & Formula When Going Out

Updated on May 08, 2011
J.K. asks from Kula, HI
20 answers

So...I'm really sad, but I think it's that time were my Breastmilk production is too low and I'll have to switch to bottles soon. I'd love some ideas on how to efficiently pack formula, bottles, warm water, etc, including a diaper bag. It just all seems so overwhelming to me. Not to mention the fact that we live far from town so when we leave the house I need to pack enough for at least 4 to 5 feedings. Any great ideas? Or please just share how you do it.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

I would put he dry formula in the bottles and add the hot water from the bathroom or kitchen tap when you get there. Even McD's has a hot water tap in their kitchen. Most places are really nice about helping out moms to make formula or heat baby food. If you need a bottle while driving you could have one bottle made up and feed on the way.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

The water does not ned to be warm. Use formula tha is power,
No problems. I taken babies all over the word ths way.
Carring diapers is no big deal and carry xtra wipes and plastic bags.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Get a Munchkin Brand formula divider (my personal fav), fill up the bottles with water before you leave the house and mix the formula in the bottle as you need the bottles. Remember bibs and burp clothes too. If you need to warm a bottle find a bathroom and run the bottle under warm water before mixing it with the formula.

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

I pre-filled the bottles with water. (Or, took a couple of bottled waters with me) and packed pre-measured formula, in those plastic bowls with separated sections. I never warmed his bottled, he got room temperature. It was the easiest way for me.

1 mom found this helpful

K.R.

answers from Sherman on

I would fill my bottle inserts (like u use to freeze breastmilk with the ziplock top) with formula and take a jug of bottled water to mix with. its premesured so u jst drop it in and add water.
but it is SO much easier and more sterile to just keep breastfeeding. if your supply is low try fenugreek and lots of water and lots of skin to skin time with baby. you might also have a dip in supply when u start to menstrate again. if this is the case, keep feeding and it comes back.
good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Greenville on

Pour out your distilled water into the bottles and put in a small insulated cooler. I used one of those formula dispensers like another poster mentioned. You can get them at Target Also, you can buy a car bottle warmer that you plug into the lighter socket. It takes a little while to warm them though, so prepare ahead of time. I am a large chested woman, so I just warmed the bottle in my cleavage. lol

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T.C.

answers from Hickory on

pre fill your bottle with water and then its easiest for me then i took the whole container of formula (you never know when youll be out longer than planned) then if you want to warm his water, you can buy bottle warmers at walmart and other stores that will plug into the ciggarette lighter and warm it.....its not THAT scarey, you just have to work with it and figure out whats right for you......

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I used to buy the single serve formula packets and have a big bottle of water in the back seat of the car (I would refill it for every trip out) and serve it at room temp. Good news is it's summer, so if you put a bottle of water in the car it will naturally be warm.
If you don't want to spend the money for the single serve formula packets just pre-measure the formula in the bottles before you leave and add the water later.
I did try to do the whole gas station, fast food place hot water tap thing...problem is the water is so HOT because its for coffee and tea. I would literally only use 1/3 of the hot water and the rest was room temp or cool water just to even it out.
I honestly just found it easier to use room temp.
Good Luck!

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A.S.

answers from San Diego on

I always pack a bottle of water, from Starbucks then I have a container that I keep formula in, enough to make 5-6 bottles. I use the costco brand formula since my son doesn't throw up as much with it and it's easier on his stomach as well as the wallett. I think enfamil is better than similac. So I have a container filled with formula and a large bottle of water, extra diapers, bottles, pacifiers, and wipes and some bags to dispose of the diapers, as well as a change of clothes, a onesie is always nice in a pinch. Not sure why the formula needs to be heated, your breast milk isn't that hot or warm. It's pretty much room temperature. Other than that I wouldn't keep any bottle of water in the car. Always keep the formula and water with you. Something about the water changing with the chemicals of the plastic water bottle isn't good, and the formula is to be in a cool dry place. Other than that you are pretty much going to have to learn how to do it on your own and find out what works for you. You'll get it though.

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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I also use the container that allows you to pre-measure your powdered formula. Some of the posts have said to pre-measure it into your bottles, but, you're not supposed to put the formula in the bottle before the water. So, unless your water is also pre-measured, I wouldn't suggest this.

I also take bottled water, but I don't keep it chilled. That way I don't have to heat it. Room temp water is fine.

If your diaper bag is on the small side, and you can't fit too many bottles in there (I send 4 to daycare with my daughter everyday), just have some extra water on hand in the car to rinse one out if you need it again). I do this all the time with DS's sippy cups.

Hope this is all helpful!

NOTE: when I send my daughter to daycare, I don't put the premeasured water in the bottles, b/c she can use her own. But I put a bottle of water in her bag in case we have to go somewhere after work. On the weekends though when we are out, I premeasure the water so it's easier and faster to make her bottle.

B.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Everyone, I'm sure does it differently!
I have a really big reusable water bottle/ container that I fill with room temperature water. I also fill the bottle with how much I am planning on feeding him the first time. This way, I have easily 5 bottles. I take one of the smaller cans of formula in the bag so it is enough to make enough bottles and small enough not to take up too much room. Just be sure not to premix it- it goes bad pretty quick outside of a fridge.
I ALWAYS pack for disasters (staying longer, needing more bottles, ruining clothes, etc) so I make sure I have enough to last me a lot longer than I plan on staying out =)

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Our little guy had reflux so we had to be very cautious about things like this. We added Mylicon Gas Drops to each bottle of Nursery Water. We put the appropriate amount of fluid in the bottle, such as 6 oz's to mix with 3 scoops of formula. That way it could be shaken well. We just carried the can with us and added the powder to the pre-prepared water mix. Then shook it up and used it. They we rinsed the used bottle out very well and put it back in the diaper bag to be washed at home.

K.L.

answers from Redding on

Use the powered formula and take a small can with you, or the long skinny packets of it that are premeasured. Take bottles of the water you use sealed and ready to add the powder to. Make sure you have the little scoop with you to measure with. If you really are going to be gone several hours take a small ice chest with the water and take out some a while before you need it and it will warm up enough. Id think most any diaper bag will be big enough to hold 4 or 5 bottles and if not, you can leave them in the car. They are not mixed till ready to drink so they will be ok for a few hours. Bacteria can grow in bottles of water after several days so dont just pack the car and depend on it for days on end. I usually have a couple changes of clothes for the kids in the car and diapers too. So if the diaper bag runs out of supplies I have back up. That stuff I can leave in the car for weeks. Usually the kids grow out of the clothes before I use them,lol.

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M.O.

answers from Fresno on

I would measure out the formula powder and put it in the bottle with the lid. When it was time for feeding I just added bottle water and shook it. Super easy and you can throw everything in the diaper bag.

S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

This isn't exactly responding to your question, but I did want to say a few things. First, a fed baby is a happy baby. Yes, breastmilk is amazing and wonderful. Formula is too, just in a different way. I've had to supplement with both of my girls. Which brings me to my second point... just because you're introducing formula, there's no reason you cannot continue to nurse for comfort. My older daughter had a lot more formula than breastmilk, but we still nursed until she was 14 months old or so.

Staying with my not-quite-on-topic theme here, I found that using milk-based formula was less offensive to my nose, and therefore hurt my heart less. We have no food allergies, so that wasn't a concern in our case, and soy smells awful. Madelyn didn't care which one we gave her. She's a true believer in a fed baby is a happy baby, lol.

Hugs,

S. :+)

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T.K.

answers from Honolulu on

Don't be sad about no longer BF it'll be okay :) Always have a bottle of water maybe the 1.5 ltr of water (the more the better) & a container that holds pre measured formula in it.

or you can put the formula in the bottles already and just add the water.

Or just bring the entire can. My diaper bag has EVERYTHING & i mean everything- everyone teases me about all the stuff I have for baby... but when they need something their happy I pack so much!

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My kids liked a little warm formula, so, I use a thermo to put hot water then, bring a distilled water bottle to mix the formula. And, I will premesaure the formula and put in the case with lid, so that when it is time to feed my kid, i just mix with everything. It's pretty easy for me.

Also, if you need hot water, you can always go to starbucks to ask for it! They are helpful.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Have an insulated tote, to put a couple of bottles in. With a little blue-ice pack. Travel size.

Then, in your CAR... have a bigger sized insulated ice chest. Put blue-ice packs in it to keep it cold. You can store more bottles/Formula in it. Thereby, you don't actually have to tote ALL of it around with you, nor will you get overloaded with 'bags' that way, as you are walking around or with the stroller. And far away from home and for all those feedings.

Just keep things in the car too.

Does the water actually have to be warm??? Or can it just be room temp?
If it HAS to be warm... then, simply put warm water in a Thermos.
If room temp. water is fine, then just have in the car, some bottled water, for that day. And keep 1 bottle of water, with you. In the diaper bag.

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I never heat up my water unless I took it straight from the fridge and only then to take the chill off. This will save your life when you have no way to warm it. I just use bottled water or I fill my own container from the filter. For formula there are containers that you can store premeasured formula in. Most I have seen are for 3 servings so you may need 2. (I had 2 just in case). I would pack 1 or 2 bottles. After feeding you can rinse them out and give them a good wipe. Rinsing with bottled water and using a baby wipe (rinse again) is alright too.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

We used powder formula. Some come in pre-measured packets or you can buy the big can and put some in a little container when you are out for the day. We would just mix it with bottled water - we never warmed it. Hope this helps.

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