The powder formula instructions say 1 scoop for every 2 ounces of water. What if LO takes odd number ounces? Even if I mix a large batch and split it, I still need odd number of ounces. Do you just end up wasting some each time, or is there another way to do this to limit waste?
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Can you just make one bottle with one ounce less than your baby takes, then make a separate batch using 1 scoop and then split that in half to add an ounce to the bottle?
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Or just do a half scoop to get the extra ounce?
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I just use half a scoop for the extra ounce.
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Double batch split into 2 bottles, or I make the nearest even ounce and leave the leftover for the next feeding - it's fine for 24 hours.
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I thought about using half a scoop for the extra ounce, but eveything I've read seems to say not to do this since it has to be exact 1 scoop to 2 ounce ounce water proportion. I haven't started the powder formula yet but will very soon. I guess the best thing is making batches and leaving for later. I'm kind of scared that I'll end up messing up the powder formula. Am I over thinking this?
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@Pumpkin Pie: you are over thinking it. We do a half scoop. It's not exact, but close enough. All of the options given will work fine.
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@Pumpkin Pie: i'm guessing that a lot of people that use formula aren't exact, so you are probably ok as long as you are using pretty close to half....
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@Pumpkin Pie: If you're making multiple bottles a day, you might find the Dr. Brown's mixing pitcher useful. Or a smoothie/shake Blender Bottle has worked too for smaller amounts.
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Not a formula user but I had an idea based on how I make half batches of baked goods. If you have a kitchen scale you could weigh one scoop and the divide by two. Then you can just do formula by weight instead of scoops. Alternately is a scoop equal to a standard kitchen measurement - tablespoons maybe? You could figure out what half is that way.
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Also once you add the powder the total volume of the bottle goes up so you may end up getting what you need if you make the lesser even ounce amount. I make an 8oz bottle of formul each day to supplement and it always ends up being an ounce or more over once everything is mixed.
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Just make two bottles at once - my LO takes 5 ounces, so I make 10 ounces (4 in one bottle and 6 in another, since they're only 8oz bottles) then I split them accordingly.
You'll never end up with extra, because if you double the number of ounces your baby drinks (and it's an odd number), you'll always end up with an even number.
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Yeah, i just did the half scoop.
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I was a crazy person and weighed out all formula (powder) before making it. But everyone I know who uses(d) formula, just used half a scoop.
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Half a scoop. Sadie took 5 ounces from like 4 months until 13 months. I always did 2.5 scoops.
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We use the Dr. Brown's Mixing Pitcher. One of the best baby purchases we made. She takes roughly 4 8oz bottles a day, so I put in 28 oz water and 14 scoops of formula. With her formula each 2 oz + powder actually equals 2.2-2.25 liquid oz, so I end up with about 31 oz total which is just about perfect for her. I make it the night before and keep it in the refrigerator and just pour my bottles as needed. The next best thing to the convenience of breastfeeding.
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Oh, but also, the big reason for accuracy with the ratio is to avoid hyponatremia, and I looked it up one day when I was tired and could not remember if I added 13 or 14 scoops and was wondering if an extra 2 oz of water would hurt her and the answer was no. Accuracy is important, but being slightly off with the ratio isn't that dangerous. You would have to be several scoops off in most cases (like intentionally dilution he formula). So the likelihood of your half scoop causing issues is slim, I would think, but not a doctor.
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Thanks everyone. I tend to be scared of doing baby things incorrectly. Oddly though.
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I always made up an 8 oz bottle in the morning and kept it in the fridge during the day. I would just add ounces from there into the bottles I made to make up the odd amount.
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Also, how long to wait after shaking the bottle so baby isn't go gassy?
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I can't recommend the dr browns pitcher enough if you make multiple bottles. Best ten dollars we ever spent. I just make her a batch for the next day at night and it's ready to go- she likes formula cold so it makes thing a super easy.
If you don't want a pitcher, half a scoop is totally fine. It doesn't have to be exact.
ETA: the pitcher helps to minimize bubbles which is the main reason we initially bought it.
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@Pumpkin Pie: I've learned to swirl, not shake, which minimizes bubbles.
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I didn't use formula, but can't you just do 1/2 a scoop?
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@Pumpkin Pie: don't shake the bottle. Swirl is better. And I agree with everyone else about the formula pitcher. Best thing ever.
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We also do half scoops. Never had an issue.
The shake v. swirl will depend on your formula. We've gone through several an some you can just swirl an they mix in but others you get big chunks if you do that. The one we use now (nutramigen) is super chunky so you have to shake it HARD to get the pieces broken up. I just swirl it after I shake it and that seems to bring bubbles to the top and burst. Also we use a dr. brown's bottle.
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Also highly, highly recommend the Dr. Brown's formula pitcher if you're going to go to straight formula. Saves SO much time and mixes it way better than shaking it, and with less bubbles. To answer your question, though, a less-than-perfect half scoop is fine. I do this often, even though I actually am crazy and weigh out each day's amount of powder in advance (I do this about every week, since I have six containers to hold the powder. Saves time in the long run). But I will often mix a half scoop (eyeballed, not weighed, haha) with one oz of water, when I need extra. Not a problem.
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One thing I've done is add infant gas drops to the bottle before shaking it up and it instantly pops all the bubbles. I find lukewarm water blends better than hot or cold water.
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Is the Dr Browns pitcher special in any way. I s just going to use a Nalgen water bottle.
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@Pumpkin Pie: It mixes the formula better so there are less clumps and bubbles. It really does make it easier.
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I always just went with half scoops! It seemed to work just fine.
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@Pumpkin Pie: Are you new to formula? Or do you know that the formula causes gas? I ask because we always shook and gave the bottle to my daughter immediately, and she never had any gas issues. We used the generic gentle formula.
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@Pumpkin Pie: The pitcher has a special motion using a plastic blade to mix so you don't get clumps. If you tried to mix that amount of formula just shaking a regular bottle, I think you'd have to shake for quite a while and end up with a lot of bubbles and/or clumps. The pitcher does it quickly and gives you a smooth end product. Also the Blender Bottle has the little wire ball that does something similar so it's just worth trying if you have one.
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@Pumpkin Pie: it has a handle/pump thing that you move up and down and it swirls the formula to mix it. It also allows you to mix up to 32 oz at a time which is a days worth for my 6mo.
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Got it. Thanks everyone. I'm new to powder formula. We gave my LO the ready serve formula in the beginning, and now that she is 4 months, I think I'm ready to stop pumping soon and transition to formula. We've only tried Gerber gentle and she seems to be fine with it so I'll just continue with that.
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@Pumpkin Pie: have you thought of trying the liquid concentrate ? We used ready to feed at the start then it got too $$ so I needed another option. I found powder a PITA after using the ready to feeds for so long and DD got super gassy from it no matter what we did. My friend told me about the liquid concentrate (just like ready to feed except you mix 1/2 water 1/2 formula) and it was the perfect happy medium for us! It's more $$ than the powder but less $$ than ready to feed.
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