Hi everyone, I don't know how useful this wil...

Hi everyone, I don't know how useful this will be to anyone, but i thought i'd let people know anyhow.After my daughter (who is now 4 months) was born i got what i thought at the time to be lifesaving advice from the nurse at the Childhood Centre. I always thought i would breastfeed, and when i couldnt i was completely un prepared for the whole formula thing. Here was her advice: 1. S26 & S26 GOLD - There is no difference between these 2 at all except for one or two minerals/vitamins that are totally un-necessary. It is all a marketing thing. Chuck in an extra something hike the price up. 2. S-26 Stage 1, S-26 Stage 2 etc - Again the only difference between these is a couple of extra bits of iron as they grow older, but by the time you need the next stage (usually around 4-6 months) they are starting solids anyhow so they are drawing iron/vitamins/minerals out of their food so it's okay to actually stick with the stage 1 until they are 12 months and on cows milk -- BIG SAVINGS! 3. Formula can be stored for up to 4 hours un-refridgerated (out of direct sunlight etc) after being made in a bottle. The babies are completely okay to drink the formula straight from the bottle within this 4 hours, without needing to heat it up. I always thought you needed to heat up bubba's bottles, and being a summer baby this was making me feel guilty cos she was having hot drink in hot weather. When i was told this life was much easier, and still is. All i do now is make up the bottles of cooled boiled water, put the right amount of formula in the container and tip the formula in the bottle when she is ready for one (of course on cold days i will heat it up for her-just being nice haha!). It also makes going out easier, no need to run around looking for hot water, or stove top to heat up bubs bottles. just grab the bottle out of the bag, tip in formula, shake and there you go! :) I'm not sure if these principles apply for all formula's or just S26 but its definately worth asking the midwife or early childhood nurse about when you next see her! Anything to make life a bit easier and give us time to spend with bubs is a bonus!