Whether you are in charge of the nighttime feeding or your baby is hungrier earlier, messes happen when you rush. Can you make a bottle without leaving a mess on the counter?
It could be your first baby or a baby with all of the other responsibilities you have at home. Preparing a bottle can be easy, but it can also make a mess. Some of the powder from formula can miss the opening of the bottle and fall onto your counters. You can wipe down the sticky, gritty coating that is felt behind, or you can be inventive with your prevention. Paper towels can be wasteful and cloth towels can be bulky and make you tip over everything.
There are a number of ways that you can make baby formula and worry less about a mess so that you can have more time with your little one.
Prepare for the Day Ahead
One way to be ahead of the game when it comes to making baby formula is by preparing enough for 24 hours. When you prepare baby formula, it can last in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to 24 hours. That means that you can fill a BPA-free pitcher with enough ounces for your little one for the day, then clean it before you make the next batch. The designated container can have a wider opening so that every bit of formula will fall into the pitcher, not on your counter. A lid that seals well will ensure that it stays fresh for every feeding
If you are the one on call for the 3 a.m. feeding, all you have to do is pour the amount of formula your baby needs, put the bottle in warm water to take the chill off, and you are ready to go. You can even warm the bottle while you are changing a diaper so there is less wait time for your hungry baby.
Pre-Measure
You can also measure for each individual bottle. This helps because you can take care of the next few bottles when you have a few minutes that are slower than right at the point of hungry cries. Then the only thing you need to do is pour water. You can pre-measure in the bottle you will use as long as it is clean and dry. There are also baby formula dispensers that are portable with no-spill lids. Even though the openings may not be as big as a pitcher, you can use a funnel to pour it in. Just be sure to clean the funnel after every use.
You still want to make sure that the formula you prepare for your baby is as sterile as the sachet it comes in. The containers from Holle, Lebenswert, and most of Hipp can be folded down to remove as much air as possible. This is important to prevent clumps from humidity and other sources of moisture, so smaller containers are better.
Set Yourself Up For Success
An organized parent will be able to prepare a bottle in any situation. If you don't have a dedicated spot on your counter for baby bottles and all of the accessories that go with it, you will benefit when you take the time to do so. If you don't want to pour formula over the counter, pour it over the sink. Do you want to place the bottle on top of something stable while you are pouring out the scoop? A plate is wide enough to catch any spills, plus it is easier to wash food off of it.
The most important step to success when making bottles is not to let it stress you. You will find a way, even if it means that the counter needs to be wiped down one more time. You are providing for your baby, and that is what counts.
