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Is It Safe To Store Left Over Formula Milk In Refrigerator?
Posted on
Sun, 18 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 18 Jan 2015
Answered on
Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Dear doctor,
My baby is 2 months old and is currently both Breast and formula fed. As we are feeding him based on his demands, there are always left over formula .. There were times he can't finished his bottle formula. May I know how can we not waste it?
Can prepared leftover formula baby can't finished be stored in the fridge? If yes how long can we stored and the process of preparation ?
My baby is 2 months old and is currently both Breast and formula fed. As we are feeding him based on his demands, there are always left over formula .. There were times he can't finished his bottle formula. May I know how can we not waste it?
Can prepared leftover formula baby can't finished be stored in the fridge? If yes how long can we stored and the process of preparation ?
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on formula storage
Detailed Answer:
Hi...You can refrigerate any bottles you fill for later feedings to prevent bacteria from growing, as well as any open containers of ready-to-feed or concentrated formula. You can use for 24 hours.
You have to mix the formula like - one unheaped scoop per 30ml of water.
Discard any mixed formula after 24 hours and any open ready-to-feed or concentrate formula after 48 hours.
Hope I have clarified your queries.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Suggestions on formula storage
Detailed Answer:
Hi...You can refrigerate any bottles you fill for later feedings to prevent bacteria from growing, as well as any open containers of ready-to-feed or concentrated formula. You can use for 24 hours.
You have to mix the formula like - one unheaped scoop per 30ml of water.
Discard any mixed formula after 24 hours and any open ready-to-feed or concentrate formula after 48 hours.
Hope I have clarified your queries.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thks for prompt reply,
Which means if he drink halfway, I can refrigerate it and re -warm it again for feeding within 24hrs?
And he is drinking less than usual recently ... He is drinking steadily around 120ml avg 3-4hrs. These few days he is drinking lesser sometime 120ml if he sleeps longer and most of time 60ml at other intervals . Why is that the consumption can drop like tat ?
Which means if he drink halfway, I can refrigerate it and re -warm it again for feeding within 24hrs?
And he is drinking less than usual recently ... He is drinking steadily around 120ml avg 3-4hrs. These few days he is drinking lesser sometime 120ml if he sleeps longer and most of time 60ml at other intervals . Why is that the consumption can drop like tat ?
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on feeding
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
1. If it's in the bottle which he's directly feeding, don't refrigerate it. Refrigerate the mixed formula which has not come into contact with the baby's mouth....that is...which is still there in the mixing vessel.
2. Even if the consumption is less, if the baby is active and voiding urine well, there is nothing to worry.
Activity of the baby and urine output is more important than the specific quantity he's feeding per feed.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Suggestions on feeding
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
1. If it's in the bottle which he's directly feeding, don't refrigerate it. Refrigerate the mixed formula which has not come into contact with the baby's mouth....that is...which is still there in the mixing vessel.
2. Even if the consumption is less, if the baby is active and voiding urine well, there is nothing to worry.
Activity of the baby and urine output is more important than the specific quantity he's feeding per feed.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear dr,
I need a little more clarification on the part on preservation. For example i prepare 120ml of mixed formula and warm water for each feeding, and baby only manage to finish 80ml of that in that bottle, how do with preserve the rest of the 40ml that is still in the milk bottle ? I don have any mixing vessel is jux warm water and formula together in the bottle itself
I need a little more clarification on the part on preservation. For example i prepare 120ml of mixed formula and warm water for each feeding, and baby only manage to finish 80ml of that in that bottle, how do with preserve the rest of the 40ml that is still in the milk bottle ? I don have any mixing vessel is jux warm water and formula together in the bottle itself
Brief Answer:
Mix separately and feed separately
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I suggest you mix separately and feed separately in a well sterilized feeding bottle or spoon or paladey.
If you keep the left over milk in the bottle in refrigerator the oral commensal bacteria may contaminate the mixed formula resulting in diarrhea.
Do not store the left over milk in the bottle as such.
Keep giving small aliquots in bottle and if GE finishes the bottle, again refill it with another small aliquot.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Mix separately and feed separately
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I suggest you mix separately and feed separately in a well sterilized feeding bottle or spoon or paladey.
If you keep the left over milk in the bottle in refrigerator the oral commensal bacteria may contaminate the mixed formula resulting in diarrhea.
Do not store the left over milk in the bottle as such.
Keep giving small aliquots in bottle and if GE finishes the bottle, again refill it with another small aliquot.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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