How long does formula last without refrigeration?

Question

If I make a bottle of formula that the baby doesn't eat and don't refrigerate it, how long will it be good for?

I know that it's only good for an hour after the baby drinks from it, but can it last for longer if the baby has not had it yet?

Answer 1

It depends. If the bottle is made from powdered formula, the current recommendation is *not* to store it outside the refrigerator for any period of time. Powdered formula is not sterile. Room temperature storage can give the bacteria in the powder a great opportunity to multiply, endangering the baby. It is only supposed to be stored for a maximum of 1 hour *in the refrigerator*.

Formula made from concentrate can be stored longer. It is good for up to 24 hours when refrigerated and up to 2 hours at room temperature.

Note: If you read manufacturers' recommendations, they are much looser than the above, but they don't mention the possibility of contamination with E. sakazakii, either; you have to search government or media sources for this information.

Answer 2

If you take out a bottle of formula and your baby does not drink it, do not keep it for longer than an hour unless you put it back in the refrigerator. If it is refrigerated, is still should only be kept for 24 hours. After that, throw it out and make some more.

Answer 3

depends on the temperature, if the house is cold or you are outside in winter in the cold they last a little longer.

Here is a suggestion, something my cousin taught me when my son was very young. Take a bottle or bottles out with you but don't add the formula weather you use concentrate or powder, mix it right before you want to use it, then you don't have to worry about how long the made up formula has been sitting for and you don't have to waste unused formula that might be questionable on how long it has been out for.

I found this to work wonderfully instead of trying to remember to make enough up before we went out or finding a fridge to store the bottle in then warm it up again wherever we went. Not everywhere has a microwave. And if you use a microwave shape the water or formula very well to avoid hot spots within the formula.

Answer 4

Either feed immediately or cover and store in refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours. Do not use prepared formula if it is unrefrigerated for more than a total of 2 hours. AFTER THE FEEDING BEGINS... do not refrigerate bottle. You must use within one hour or disgard.

seems like a waste of money...I calculated that one scoop of Enfamil costs $.21

Answer 5

Its not that the formula spoils fast, but it actually gets bacteria from the babies mouth and that is what makes it bad to drink. If your baby has not touched the bottle, 1-2 hours at the most. If your baby has had its mouth on it, then 30 min then toss it. Its better safe then sorry. That is the way I did with both of my children.

In addition, the person that said you should use sterile everything (bottle and water) should talk to ped doctors. With my first child I boiled everything. With my second this past year they say now to use tap water (if you have well water by nursery water) it contains floride which your baby needs, also if you have a dishwasher, that will clean the bottles just fine, I wash mine in the sink, then rewash in the dishwasher (also using dr browns bottles they come completely apart).

I work in the medical feild and now we are haveing problems with super bugs, and that is because the people today are using way to much sterile this and that, antibacterial, and taking way to much antibiotics...... let your kids get a little germy, it is better for them. However do be clean with them, wash pacifiers, any thing that goes in his/her mouth, teach good handwashing with warm water... soap and water is what everyone needs, not sterile enviroments, and alcohol rubs...

Answer 6

You should never keep left over formula. Especially if it has been sitting out without refrigeration! When the baby suckles some of the child's saliva gets into the bottle along with air that is not sterile. If not completely consumed it will become tainted very quickly. Has your doctor or nurse talked to you about any of these things?? I hope you are using sterile bottles and water to mix the formula??

Answer 7

If in doubt, throw it out. I would reuse it if it was within 2 hours or so, but no longer than that. And the formula we used was expensive! At one point I was spending over $600 per month on baby formula for one child!

Answer 8

4 hours maybe..at the most.

Don't take the chance though. Formula gets rancid pretty darn quick, so don't make the bottle until the kid is ready for it, and don't leave it out. If the baby doesn't drink it, put it in the fridge.

Answer 9

well the general rule is one hour after the feeding started. so if you offer it to the baby and he/she takes a few drinks and then stops, its good for an hour. if the baby didnt drink from the bottle at all i would still say an hour. just imagine if you had a cup of regular milk, would you drink it if it sat out for more than an hour? its better to be safe than sorry, especially with babies sensitive little tummies.

Answer 10

You can let it sit out for at least an hour but i wouldnt let it go no more than 2 because it can spoil just like real milk and it starts to seprate again which is not good for the baby and will make him/her sick. I know this because my hubby did this one time and the baby threw it all up it was not pretty.