Feeding is one of the most important aspects of daycare. Are you thinking of how to store formula for daycare? Well, as simple as this might sound knowing how to prepare and store formula for daycare can be quite complicating.
Your process will depend on whether you’re using formula or breast milk as well as the recommended guidelines of your daycare. We know you already have a lot on your plate so don’t let this stress you out!
We are here to make this transition to daycare drop-offs and working as smoothly as possible! Let’s get started to prepare and store bottles for daycare.
How To Prepare Bottles For Daycare
Before you dive into making the bottles, you have to keep these few things in mind.
1. Decide On The Type Of Bottle You’ll Use
If you’ve been breastfeeding your baby exclusively and you have not introduced the bottle, try and so as soon as possible.
It’s not good to wait for a long time before introducing the bottle. This is because your breastfed baby may very well refuse the bottle. If you’ve already been using a bottle, be sure that the bottle is what you want to be using.
- Is the bottle easy to clean?
- Can the bottle hold enough milk for a full feeding?
- Is the bottle easy to transport
- Do I have enough feeding bottles in my nursery for a full day of childcare?
- Can this bottle be easily replaced if it gets loss (things sometimes disappear at daycare)?
If you do decide to introduce a bottle to your baby, here are some of mom’s favorite bottles for daycare.
2. Find Out The Formula Or Breast Milk Guidelines For Daycare
I could remember those days when I used to send my son to daycare. They had these strict requirements for breast milk. I had to tag each bottle with my name, my son’s name, the date I pumped the milk, and the current date.
They usually threw away any leftover milk that he didn’t finish in a feeding session. At first, I didn’t know this and I was very upset when I realized they were tossing away my precious liquid gold!!!!
I knew I could use those leftovers for some other things that are quite beneficial like baby baths, soap, and so on. Since then, I was very precise with the amount of milk I put in each bottle.
Be mindful, daycares also discard unused formula. By knowing the milk guidelines ahead of time you’ll save yourself stress and frustration.
3. Make Sure You Know About The Daycare Feeding Policy
Does the daycare feed on demand or do they follow a particular feeding routine?
4. Decide The Amount Of Milk To Send To Daycare
Now you’ve known the milk policy and feeding policy next is to decide on the amount of milk to send to your daycare each day.
Think about your child and his current feeding routine. How much milk does he or she typically consume each time? Use this information to help direct you in the amount of milk to place in each bottle. Now, you can prepare and store the bottles!
Read Also: How Much Milk To Pump For Daycare? Explained
How To Store Formula For Daycare: Preparation
Usually, daycare workers are legally responsible for providing your baby with the right feed. This is why most child care accepts only pre-prepared bottles or mixers in other ensure that the baby gets fed with the correct formula. Here’s how you should prepare and store formula
Pre-Prepared Formula:
- Wash your hands
- Clean and sterilize the bottles.
- Pour the right amount of boiled water into each bottle.
- Allow it to cool at room temperature.
- Add in the formula and shake it well.
- Seal the bottles and store it in a refrigerator until it is ready for daycare.
- Take the bottle to daycare in a bottle cooler.
Day Care Prepared Formula:
If you want to prepare freshly prepared formula milk for your child at the daycare, follow these practical steps –
- Keep the bottle clean and sterilized.
- Pour the right quantity of boiled water into each of the bottles.
- Tightly seal and refrigerate bottles until it is ready to be used at the daycare.
- Use a storage container that has sections and fill each section with the correct amount of formula for each feed.
- Send the formula, bottle, and boiled water to the daycare. Remember, bottles should not be placed in a cooler for short period.
- Daycare workers can also prepare baby feeding bottles by heating water and adding formula as required.
Read Also: How To Make Formula Taste Like Breast Milk
General Bottle Tips
- Always store the breast milk or prepared formula either in a refrigerator or in a low-temperature environment.
- Do not reheat the milk. Discard any unused milk immediately.
- Always label all the baby items with your baby’s name to avoid confusion.
- Thoroughly sanitize the feeding bottles, bottle caps, and nipples by boiling for 60 seconds, after cleaning and rinsing.
Here is a video showing how to clean and sterilize baby bottles
How To Prepare Breast Milk Bottles In Day Care
Preparing Breast milk is quite complicated to prepare, unlike formula. Simply follow these practical steps to prepare it
- Wash your hands.
- Allow the frozen milk to defrost at least 12-24 hours before preparation.
- Gather your bottles and make sure they’re clean and sterilized.
- Shake the bags, so that the creamy layer on the top of the milk mixes properly.
- Pour the right amount of milk in each of the bottles, and then secure them in the milk storage bags.
- Cover the bottle, and store it in the refrigerator until it is ready to go to the daycare.
- Transport the bottles to the daycare only in a bottle cooler.
Tips:
- Do not keep the frozen milk out for more than 24 hours after defrosting.
- Freshly extracted milk should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours.
- Also be sure that the daycare workers know how to handle, maintain and reheat the breast milk.
Read Also: 13 Best Formulas That Taste Closest To Breast Milk
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Prepare Frozen Milk For Daycare?
Frozen milk can be a bit complicated. It’s best advised to leave it overnight in the fridge to thaw. But if you are running behind schedule you can defrost it in water.
How Do I Defrost Breast Milk In The Fridge
- Confirm the date to make sure that your breast milk is within the recommended window. If you’re not sure how long you can store your frozen breast milk? Check out this post.
- Check your milk storage bag for cuts or tears.
- Put the storage bag in the refrigerator. Do not leave breast milk to defrost at room temperature.
- After 12 hours and your milk should be fully thawed.
How To Defrost Breast Milk With Water
- Confirm the date of the milk to be sure your milk is okay to use.
- Check your milk storage bag for any cuts or tears.
- Heat water and let it run over the storage bag until the ice is gone.
- If you want to conserve water, use a Keurig by simply using a large cup or bowl then run the Keurig machine the same process you would if you were making a hot tea or coffee except don’t put a K-cup in.
Read Also: How To Prepare Formula Bottles in Advance
What Are The Things To Know About Thawed Breast Milk?
- Bear in mind that once milk is fully thawed, it has to be used within 24 hours.
- Once the milk is at room temperature, it must be used within 2 hours.
- Previously frozen milk cannot be refrozen.
How Much Milk Do You Send To Daycare?
Usually, most daycares have a way of sharing what happens with your baby throughout the day, including how your baby is fed.
A good daycare keeps a record of each time your baby has milk and how many ounces he or she had at each session. All this information can help you decide how much milk to send each day.
When at home what is the most milk your baby has had at each session? Usually, I would prepare each bottle closer to that amount. As you should know, a baby’s feeding behavior can differ when they are away from their parent, at least at first.
Until your baby gets comfortable in his or her new environment he may drink more than usual or may drink less than usual. It’s best advised to monitor his feeding behaviors for the first couple of weeks and then go from there.
If your breastfed baby is consuming too much milk than usual, be sure that the daycare you’re sending your baby to knows how to bottle feed a breastfed baby properly.
How Many Bottles Do You Send For Daycare?
Normally, the amount of bottles you send depends on how long your baby is staying in daycare. A rule of thumb is to send 1 feeding bottle every 2 hours you’re away.
To know the right quantity of milk for each bottle, use this milk calculator for exclusively breastfed babies. If using baby formula, send the quantity of milk equal to what your baby consumes with you plus your backup bottle.
My son was at daycare between 7-8 hours a day. On average he would eat every 2 hours. I usually send 3 bottles each day along with the fourth bottle as a backup. But, I didn’t prepare each of the bottles the same.
I usually make the morning and early afternoon bottles bigger with 4 ounces. The third bottle only had 3 ounces because I knew I would close off work soon which I would then nurse him before we left.
The backup bottle which I feel is the most important bottle keeps your mind at ease. You never know what could happen work emergency, spilled milk, traffic, should not be ignored.
Also if you are at work and you’re pumping, the backup bottle helps gives you one less bottle to have to worry about till the following day!
Related Posts:
- Useful Ideas On What To Do With Leftover Formula
- How To Store Formula Milk For Night Feeds
- Best Formula For Acid Reflux and Gas
Conclusion
We hope this article has given an in-depth discussion to answer the question, how to prepare formula for daycare as well as knowing how to store formula for daycare.
However, having the right information will help you to determine how best to prepare and store your bottle. Remember, preparing your bottles in advance is a huge step for a successful morning.
The last thing you want to be doing in the morning while getting ready for work or other busy schedules is preparing bottles for the day. Try and do all of that at night by placing the bottles in a bottle cooler. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did!