Now that we're supplementing DD with special high calorie preemie formula, I have a few questions regarding preparing bottles.

1.) Do you stir or shake? On the can (we use powdered) it says to "shake well", but when I cap it and shake it well it goes frothy. I'm worried the froth will make for more air when she drinks her bottle. I tried doing a gentle swirl the other day and when I fed her I noticed a glob of powder stuck to the side of the bottle. My bad.

2.) Do you sterilize every day? I've read different things. Some say it's a good idea, some say you don't need too. I also don't put my bottles in the dishwasher, either. For some reason the dishwasher makes my plastic all nasty and spotted. I've tried umpteen different detergents and rinse aids, and it still comes out gross, so I hand wash them and rinse them in as hot a water as I can stand. She only gets 8 or so ounces a day (4 bottles), so it's not a big deal, but time saved is time saved.. know what I mean?

3.) And last but not least, what kind of water? Distilled, bottled, tap, or boiled?

I have a follow up appointment with the doctor this week, but I'm just curious what the general consensus is out there.

Thanx in advance.

Hi North... I bottle fed my first and this is what we did:

1. Wash bottles, nipples, lids and caps by hand.
2. Sterlize in the Avent sterilizer after every wash.
3. We used liquid but for powder just make sure you pre-make the bottles so the bubbles have a chance to settle
4. Our nurse told us not to use distilled water as it is lacking in all minerals and baby needs some. She told us just to boil tap water in a sauce pan for 10 minutes. We always pre-made the bottles for the day the night before or that morning.

Just a suggestion, if you are only giving her 8 ozs a day (4 bottles of 2ozs) why not get her the consentrated liquid form that needs to be mixed with water. I found it to be easier on my baby's tummy (maybe because it doesn't have as many bubbles as the powder?).

This is just what we did and were told to do by our nurse so obviously the opinions of your Dr. may vary a little or a lot. My ds turned out just fine so do what you feel works best for you and your little one.

Is your baby a premie or are you just boosting up from breastmilk?If baby is of normal weight and healthy you can just run the bottles and nipples through the dish washer. That actually kills all the germs anyway. I wouldn't keep trying chemicals to get rid of spots because who knows what the residue could do to people? I always used bottled distilled water in the 2.5 gallon jug that has the tap. If you are breastfeeding too as I was I just wanted something easy for DH.

first of all - if you have soft water and or treated water you don't need to use only a dime size of dishwasher soap - (I just recently learned this)... and when you start to switch over to the dime size you have to do it for a month before you see improvement in your dishes/plastics - etc.

second you only need to sterilize bottles etc if you have WELL water... and if you have to shake up the powder go ahead and shake it hard and then just let it settle down before feeding them. and i use tap water because it doesn't come from a well.

wash all bottles and teats thoroughly, sterilise after every use and wash, yes shake well. use cooled boiled tap water you can use the kettle but must make sure it is fresh water you use.

I bottle feed....

We shake the bottles and yes there is froth in there after you shake.
We have well water so we used bottled water.
We do not sterilize the bottles, only after they were first taken out of the packages. Washing them in the sink in warm soaping water is fine. Don't use a dishwasher because after tome they will ruin the bottles abd make them leak, just wash them in the sink.

my health visitor and all the books i have (i have many lol) say bottles should be sterilised before every use until baby is 6 months then the dishwasher would be ok. i know i live in the uk but i don'yt know anyone who has ever not sterilised their bottles in this way (before every single use every time)

Just a suggestion, if you are only giving her 8 ozs a day (4 bottles of 2ozs) why not get her the consentrated liquid form that needs to be mixed with water. I found it to be easier on my baby's tummy (maybe because it doesn't have as many bubbles as the powder?).

I looked, but as it was, we had to go to 3 different places to find this stuff, and it seems it only comes in powder. I may be able to oder it in liquid form from the pharmacy so I'll ask next time. Thanx for the suggestion.

If baby is of normal weight and healthy you can just run the bottles and nipples through the dish washer.

Like I said, I can't use the dishwasher because of the residue left over.

I wouldn't keep trying chemicals to get rid of spots because who knows what the residue could do to people?

I don't use chemicals, just dishwasher safe soap (liquid form). I've tried Jet Dry, and I still get spots. I don't think it gets hot enough during the rinse cycle or something.

She is healthy, not premature, just slow to gain weight. Thanx for all the suggestions guys.