How long can you keep prepared formula? 7 tips for storing prepared infant formula.

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Formula milk for babies should be used within 2 hours after preparation. If longer storage is needed, refrigerate the milk and use it within 24 hours. Do not give your baby leftover milk from a previous feeding, as it has been exposed to the baby’s saliva, is no longer hygienic, and may affect the baby’s health. Learn more details with AVAKids in the following article!

How long can prepared formula last?

After preparing formula, feed your baby immediately while the milk is still warm to ensure the nutrients are fully preserved. Prepared formula can be stored for 2 hours after preparation and 1 hour from the start of feeding. Only if you have an urgent need to go out should you put the milk in a milk storage bag.

If your baby doesn’t drink the formula within 2 hours or doesn’t finish it, store the bottle in the refrigerator immediately and use it within 24 hours. Do not give your baby formula that is older than 1 day to avoid affecting their digestive system.

Therefore, parents should continue to observe their baby’s development at each stage to recognize their milk needs and prepare the right amount of formula to avoid waste. Limiting the time formula is left out at room temperature reduces the risk of bacterial contamination, especially from Cronobacter, which can cause blood infections and meningitis in infants.

In short, prepared formula can be stored for 2 hours at room temperature and about 24 hours in the refrigerator. After this time, parents should discard it and not give it to the baby.

Formula preparation temperature for longer storage

Each type of formula has a recommended preparation temperature provided by the manufacturer. Some formulas dissolve at 70 degrees Celsius, while others only require water at 50 degrees Celsius to dissolve completely. Especially, preparing formula at high temperatures (60-80 degrees Celsius) can reduce its nutritional value. Therefore, parents should carefully check the instructions on the packaging to prepare the formula at the appropriate temperature.

Appropriate formula preparation temperature

Appropriate formula preparation temperature

Precautions for preparing and storing prepared formula

Precautions when preparing formula for babies

When preparing formula for your baby, keep the following points in mind to ensure the nutrients in the milk are fully preserved:

  • Do not arbitrarily change the formula: Each type of formula has preparation instructions printed on the packaging by the manufacturer. Parents should not arbitrarily change the formula to ensure complete nutrition.
  • Do not add other ingredients to the formula: Unless directed by a doctor, parents should not add other ingredients to the formula to avoid negatively affecting the baby’s health.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing formula: A small reminder for parents is to wash their hands thoroughly before preparing formula for their child and use a clean spoon when scooping formula powder. If parents do not wash their hands before preparing formula, bacteria from their hands can spread to the bottle and be transmitted to the baby, causing infection and illness.

Precautions for storing formula powder

For unopened formula powder, parents should note the following:

  • Store the formula container in a cool, dry place: Store the formula container in a cool, dry place, away from damp and unventilated areas. Especially avoid storing it in cars, garages, or outdoors as bacteria can easily multiply. Note that below 25 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for storing formula.
  • Do not store formula powder in the refrigerator: After opening the container, do not store the formula in the refrigerator. Simply close the lid tightly and place it in a dry place.
  • Check the expiration date: Before using and opening the container, check the label and expiration date.
  • Use within 1 month: It is best to use formula within 1 month of opening or carefully read the instructions on the container.

Precautions for storing prepared formula

Use prepared formula according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging for the best quality product and to provide your baby with complete nutrition. To store prepared formula correctly, keep the following precautions in mind:

  • When not to reuse prepared formula: Leftover milk that the baby has already drunk and milk left at room temperature for 1 hour or longer.
  • Store formula in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours: After preparing, feed your baby immediately while the milk is still warm. If there are leftovers, store them in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours.
  • Check if the milk is still usable: Check if the milk is still usable before feeding your baby, even if the storage time has not reached 24 hours.
  • Label with the date and time: This not only ensures the safety of your baby’s health but also helps you remember the specific time the formula was prepared, avoiding giving your newborn milk that has been prepared for too long.
  • Warm the milk after taking it out of the refrigerator: Do not warm the milk in a microwave. Warm it by placing the bottle in warm water or using a bottle warmer. However, avoid letting water flow into the bottle or nipple.
  • Check the temperature of the milk: Put a few drops of milk on the back of your hand to check if it’s too hot to avoid burning your baby.
  • Storing prepared formula when going out: You can put the bottle in a thermos to keep it warm for up to 4 hours.

 

Galena GA-W01 Electronic Sterilizing Bottle Warmer

 

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Notes on formula preparation tools

In addition to the notes on how to store formula powder and prepared formula, parents should also pay attention to the notes on formula preparation tools to ensure absolute safety for their babies!

  • Clean and sterilize bottles and containers: Before and after use, clean and sterilize bottles, lids, and nipples with hot water to inhibit bacterial growth.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly: Before preparing formula and feeding your baby, wash your hands with antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer.
  • Clean the surrounding area: The room should be clean and airy to prepare formula for newborns.
  • Use safe water for formula preparation: It is best to use filtered or purified water boiled for preparing baby formula.

How to warm formula

Warming formula with a bottle warmer

Warming formula with a bottle warmer is very simple. Parents just need to place the bottle they want to warm for their baby in the warmer, fill it with water at the appropriate temperature, and turn it on. Bottle warmers give parents more time because once the milk is warmed, the machine automatically switches to a warming mode, so you can store the milk in the machine.

Gluck Baby GN05 Bottle Warmer - Random Color

Gluck Baby GN05 Bottle Warmer – Random Color

Warming formula with boiling water

This is a traditional method of warming milk and is commonly used by mothers. First, prepare a large pot and boil water, then let the water cool down for a suitable amount of time. Next, put the baby’s bottle in the pot and wait for about 1 hour for the milk to warm up.

Note: Never boil milk directly on the stove, as this will destroy the nutrients in the milk and could burn the baby due to the high temperature.

 

Gluck Baby HAP20 Formula Kettle

 

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Leaving formula at room temperature

For formula stored in the refrigerator, it is not necessary to warm it. You can leave it at room temperature for about 1 hour before feeding your baby.

Things to note with all 3 methods above: 

  • Shake the bottle well before warming.
  • Check the temperature of the milk by dropping 1-2 drops on the inside of your wrist before feeding your baby.

Frequently asked questions about preparing formula for babies

1. How long can prepared formula be kept in a bottle warmer after warming?

Manufacturers recommend keeping milk in a bottle warmer for a maximum of 1 hour. Leaving milk in the warmer for too long without paying attention to the time can cause the milk to spoil, lose nutrients, and become dangerous for the baby.

Philips Avent SCF358.00 Bottle Warmer

Philips Avent SCF358.00 Bottle Warmer

2. How long can breast milk mixed with formula be stored?

Some studies show that bacteria can multiply rapidly in dairy-based foods. Therefore, breast milk mixed with formula is recommended to be stored for only 60 minutes. If this time limit is exceeded, you should not give this milk mixture to your baby.

Hopefully, the above article will help you store formula correctly and safely for your baby. If you have any questions, please contact the hotline 1900.866.874 (8:00 – 21:30) or visit the website avakids.com for instructions and advice!

References

  1. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/formulafeed-storing.html
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/how-long-is-formula-good-for