Why throw formula out after an hour? What can happen to baby if you feed it to them an 1/2 to 2 hours later?

Answer 1

The formula is no longer fresh and becomes sticky and grows bacteria. The best thing to do is throw it out and start another fresh bottle. I know formula can be expensive. If your baby isn't finishing her bottles give 2oz at a time so when she's full you have less to waste .

Answer 2

Just having the formula open in room temperature would cause bacteria to grow. During a feeding, the baby's saliva can come in contact with the formula in the bottle. The enriched nutrients found in infant formula can create an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms to grow. Unfortunately, neither refrigeration nor reheating will prevent this growth, A baby's system is very delicate.

Feeding your baby this can cause SERIOUS problems. Although many mothers do this would you really want to be at fault if your child had a serious medical problem that needed hospitalization or cause death? I am sure you wouldn't.

I am sure everyone here means well, and there is a good chance nothing would happen to your child but are you willing to take that risk? I hope not.

Answer 3

I have a problem.....everyone wants to give the "right" answer, instead of being honest. Almost every parent has been in a tight spot, accidently staying at the grocery or department store longer than they meant to, and used formula older than a single hour to keep a child from howling all the way home.

From experience, absolutely nothing bad will happen, however, don't leave it out on purpose or for no reason other than you don't want to go to the fridge. It's perfectly safe to refridgerate unused formula and use it at the beginning of the next feeding.

Also, most formula manufacturers recommend that you discard formula that has been mixed for 24 hours, even if refridgerated. This, also, is a little nutty. Concentrated formula makes around 32 ounces that you will keep in the fridge. Many babies don't drin 32 ounces of formula per day. Finishing this already mixed formula within 48-72 hours will, most likely, not harm your baby, as long as it has been refridgerated.

Another option you might use when you are out and about, carry bottles of premeasured water, and Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, etc, sell little formula dispensers, with 3-4 sections. You measured the powdered formula into the sections and simple empty one into a bottle of water and shake. It's perfect for on the go mommies. If your baby is drinking ready-made formula or concentrate, you might consider buying a small can of the powdered kind, if it doesn't upset his/her stomach, just for these occasions.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

You do want to put it back into the fridge right after feeding, but be sure to change the nipple first because that is where the germs are. They spread from there causing the formula to go bad. But even if you do change the nipple and put it in the fridge I wouldn't leave it there for too long. Only if you know that your baby is probably going to eat it fairly soon. It just isn't safe to leave partially used forumla out for long. Plus I totally disagree with the person that said that this is a question that would be asked by a child having a child. My sister is 27 years old has four kids and asked me the same question. It is something they tell you to do but they don't give a reason for it. I think it is a very good question.

Answer 5

Euwww would you like to drink milk left out in a cup for 2 hours? Formula is worse...uck. If there is that much left in the bottle just throw in back in the fridge....if it's only a little bit....pitch it.
Have fun!

Answer 6

It can spoil. If the baby isn't drinking all of it, try sticking the rest of it in the fridge and reheat later. It's like leaving a gallon of milk out for 2 hours. WOuld you want to drink milk that's been setting out that long?

Answer 7

with baby formula you have to be very careful with it. once you have warmed a baby's bottle and have fed some to him/her you cannot use it again later. you can use the formula if it is within 30 Min's but anything after that it can cause upset stomach and other health problems.

Answer 8

If it's sitting out for under an hour, stick it in the fridge if you want to use it later. Like one poster said, it's like leaving milk out that long, it spoils and it will taste like crap. It will make his stomach sour and upset.

Answer 9

Would you drink sour milk? Why should you force your baby to drink it? Formula is nasty enough without it being soured too!

Answer 10

At room temperature it will start to grow dangerous bacteria. Always put it back in the fridge.