Proper Prep of Powdered Formula?

Updated on May 12, 2007
C.M. asks from Plano, TX
7 answers

I've always used ready-to-feed formula, but have recently had to switch to powdered because it is so hard to find the Nestle Good Start Soy in ready-to-feed. So with my lack of experience with powdered formula, I'm paranoid that I'm not mixing it properly. In the directions, it says to measure out unpacked level scoops. What exactly do they mean by that? Do you just scoop it and not tap it or anything to eliminate any air pockets? Or is it ok to tap it to get the powder to settle and then level it off? I know this seems like a stupid common sense question, but I just want to make sure that I'm getting the right amount of powder into the water for the proper concentration. Thanks for any input!

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K.H.

answers from Dallas on

I definitely agree with one of the other respondents that you must buy a formula pitcher at Babies R Us! That product has made it so much easier and less time consuming to prepare a day's worth of formula- my problem was always forgetting how many scoops I was putting into each bottle and sometimes I'd have to pour out some because I didn't want to get it wrong. The pitcher is easy to wash and use, and for $8 it's a great deal! I didn't have it for my first child- bottle prep would take at least 15 minutes; now I have cut it to under 5!

And I also support what the others are saying- the "unpacked" just means don't worry about getting every little air pocket out of the scooper. Just scoop it and tap it to settle the contents a bit if it looks like you didn't get it enough, fill it to the top and level it so you don't have a big mound at the top (which would mean you're feeding your child much more concentrated formula than intended).

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Scoop, tap, scrape...thats what you do!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about it hun! The warnings all over the labels etc scare the heck out of you, but what they are TRYING to warn you about (and do a very poor job of doing anything BUT scare the heck out of you) is that if you cut back on the powder (use too little powder) for EXTENDED lengths of time, the baby could suffer from malnutrition. I think that warning was mainly meant for people that may use powder to 'stretch' formula, like use half the amount of powder your are supposed to etc. If you do THAT for a long time, yes, the baby may become very ill only from the fact they are not getting adequate nutrition...

Believe me, as a previous poster mentioned, you can and you will mess it up occasionally, but that will do nothing to the baby at all!!!

I hope this helps ease your fears a bit!!!
hugs and blessings
H.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

Just scoop and scrap it off on the side. Don't put too much thought into this because when you are making a bottle in the middle of the night, you will probably end up not putting enough scoops in while you are sleeping. I have 2 adopted boys and have had to use powder formula for both of them and you can't hurt them if you have a tad too much or too little. Just use the recommended amount of scoops and don't sweat it.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C.. I use Nestle Good Start powder also. Even the regualar can be a pain to find sometimes. Honestly, I scoop and I do tap to eliminate the air pockets. I just don't dig it into the powder hard and I don't smash it against the side of the can to pack it in. Make sense? And no it wasn't a stupid question because I asked myself the same thing for the first couple of months and occasionally it still pops into my head and my little guy is nearly 9 months. Hope this helps. Have a Happy Mother's Day.
M.

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L.E.

answers from Dallas on

C.,

One thing I can't live without is the formula pitcher (from babies r us), so you can mix up to 32 oz. of formula and not have to mix bottles ALL day. All you do is put in 32 oz. water and 16 scoops of formula. Also, I like to use nursery water. It's filtered and has flouride (important for those little teeth...later on of course). Check the pitcher out: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=240328...

Don't worry about the "scooping" thing. I just make sure it's relatively full.

Good luck..
L. =)

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Scoop, tap, scrape and add to the water.

I wondered the same thing in the beginning so your question is fine...:)

Have you tried online for Nestle Good Start Soy? Try going a search on google for it. There seemed to be lots of sites that sell it. I don't know about the cost comparison though.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Dallas on

scoop, tap, scrape just like the others said!

here's my helpful hint.... I would fill the bottles with the proper amount of water, then fill up a formula dispenser with the proper amount. (you can buy them for about $3 at target or babies r us in the bottle section). I kept one in the diaper bag, and one on the counter. it was great for the middle of the night, and for others to prepare a bottle for me.... I wouldn't have to worry about them making it right. just dump the serving of powder into the bottle of water!

also, I never warmed bottles for ryan, just fed to him at room temp. that way I never had to worry about warming bottles while we were out.

~ t

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