## Devon Mother Burned in Shocking Baby Bottle Incident, Raising Concerns for Parental Safety
A young mother from Westward Ho! in Devon has been left fearing she could bear lasting scars after a baby bottle ‘exploded’ during preparation, causing severe burns to her stomach and thighs. Megan Elston, 23, recounted the harrowing ordeal as she prepared to feed her seven-month-old son, Koah Keidel, on the evening of 1 May.
According to Megan, she had been routinely using MAM baby bottles for her child’s daily feeds for the past several months. On this particular night, she followed her usual process by boiling a kettle and allowing the water to cool for the recommended 20 minutes before mixing the formula. However, as she began to assemble the 9oz bottle and was about to shake it to mix the formula fully, she was unexpectedly scalded.
In her own words, Megan described how the bottle “exploded at both ends”, sending hot formula spraying across her legs and lower abdomen. Photographs taken in the aftermath reveal painful, red burns on Megan’s inner thighs, which soon developed into large fluid-filled blisters.
Following the incident, Megan reacted swiftly, stepping into a cold shower for 15 minutes in an attempt to cool her injuries. She then sought medical attention at North Devon District Hospital, where healthcare staff dressed her burns and prescribed antibiotics to stave off infection. “My left leg felt like it was on fire,” Megan reported, underscoring the severity of the scalds.
The following day, as new blisters emerged, Megan found the pain compounded. Medical staff drained some of the blisters and replaced bandages — a process she described as particularly painful thanks to the rawness of her burns. She now faces the prospect of permanent scarring, raising concerns about her confidence in wearing shorts or summer dresses as the warmer months approach.
In the weeks after the incident, Megan has made repeated visits to her GP and local hospital to have her wounds carefully re-dressed. She is now calling for greater awareness among parents, emphasising the need for caution when preparing baby formula and assembling bottles, even when using familiar, trusted products.
“I want to let other parents know what can happen, even when you follow all the instructions,” Megan explained. “I’ve used these bottles since my son was born, and never had a problem before. Now, I always make sure my baby is in another room, just in case.”
The bottle manufacturer, MAM, has since been notified of Megan’s experience. The company responded by asking her to return the bottle for a full investigation, stressing the importance they place on safety and rigorous testing. A spokesperson for MAM stated, “The safety of our customers and their babies is at the forefront of everything we do. All products are tested and certified to robust safety standards.”
MAM advised that their instructions discourage pouring boiling water directly into bottles, and recommend waiting at least 20 minutes for water to cool. Additionally, they urge parents to keep babies at a safe distance during preparation, ensure the base and lid are tightly secured, and shake bottles gently away from the body — preferably over a sink and wrapped in a cloth.
Megan’s experience has already sparked conversations within parent groups online, drawing attention to the importance of product safety and adherence to official guidance. While accidents of this nature appear rare, her story serves as a sobering reminder of the risks parents can face during the often-routine tasks of infant care.
As she continues to recover, Megan is hopeful her warnings will help prevent similar incidents for others. Many will be watching to see the outcome of the manufacturer’s investigation, as parents across the UK rely daily on bottle feeding products — trusting implicitly in their safety for their most vulnerable family members.