The reason I ask is because sometimes my daughter doesn't always finish her bedtime bottle. I don't want to go in there to take the bottle because it always wakes her up. (As far as leaving her with the bottle, I went about 9 months feeding her myself then putting her to bed and she just wouldn't go to sleep, so I do what works.) The other night though, I caught her sucking on the same bottle at 5am (her bedtime is around 10:30-11:00pm and before you start harping on me about her bedtime, keep in mind that some people have jobs on the second and third shift and I would go insane from sleep deprivation if I didn't have her go to bed so late because I just can't function at 7am). What are the health risks? I have heard that with regular formula, it can only sit for about 2 hours before it is no good.
2007-01-16 16:23:19 · 6 answers · asked by Puppy Cat 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Well I am not going to re-think my daughter's bedtime routine. All I asked was how long it took for the bacteria to multiply to unacceptable levels. Bonita, the first two paragraphs were helpful, and that should have been the end of it. Thanks. She's 13 months old. She hasn't needed help burping for about 6 months now and she's plenty comfortable when I put her down. I brush her teeth in the morning so I'm not worried about her teeth.
Jenni, you're just ignorant, you didn't even answer the question. I am not afraid to wake her, I am too tired to deal with her if she wakes up. I have a color video baby monitor that has night vision and I can hear her every breath. So yeah...thanks.
2007-01-16 17:46:54 · update #1
With soy formula, it is only good for 4 hours if the bottle is not being used. So, you can make a bottle and leave it in a diaper bag for 4 hours without fear of contamination. However, if she has started drinking it, then you need to take it away within 2 hours. If it wakes her up, then use a bottle filled with water to pacify her during the night.
2007-01-16 16:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by bashnick 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Once a bottle has been partially fed, the remainder of the bottle should be discarded. Saliva naturally contains bacteria that can start to multiply in the remaining formula if it's left out at room temperature. Formula should be discarded after 30 MINUTES.
Do what works for you as far as her bedtime but perhaps you should put less formula in the bottle if she is consuming the entire bottle before she goes to bed. It worth trying to give her little less than exposing her to bacteria at such a young age where she hasn't developed a strong immune system.
But I'm also wondering why you're letting her fall asleep with a bottle. She should fall asleep naturally after eating, being burped and made comfortable in the bed. Putting a baby to bed with a bottle run's the risk of ruining their teeth as well because they are sucking for God knows how long and exposing their teeth to the sugar in the milk. Without burping she can get gassy or perhaps wake you up before you're ready when you least expect it.
Sounds like overall you need to rethink her entire bedtime routine and keep your sanity all at the same time.
2007-01-16 16:37:53 · answer #2 · answered by Bonita Applebaum 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your going to put your daughter to bed with a bottle you might want to start going in her room after an hour and take it out of her crib. Formula is no good after it sits out for an hour. This is what i was told by my doc and my peditrician so im going by that. Also, maybe you'll want to try water in her bottle at night. Then when your ready to go to bed take it out of her crib. Don't feel like you'll wake her up i always thought that too but my son didn't wake up from me going in there besides that i never knew if he would get up in the middle of the night and start drinking from his bottle. Because he would wake up And i would hear him and he would play and play then go back to sleep. Really don't listen to any judgmental comments your just looking for advice. Im going by what i was told by 2 experts and by what i did im not at all an expert or the worlds perfect parent by any means. HTH!
2007-01-17 04:08:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it crazy that you just want to ask a simple question and you have to defend yourself from judgmental people? Anyway, The milk/formula is technically not good after 2 hours of being warmed up. But in my opinion your baby is not going to be harmed by drinking a little in the early morning. She has probably been doing it for a while and you just saw it now. I am not an expert. (will she take water instead?)
2007-01-16 16:29:52 · answer #4 · answered by mystery_me 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bacteria in room temperature food doubles every 20 minutes.
2007-01-16 16:27:01 · answer #5 · answered by 1heather247 M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
didnt mean to offend you, but i know what can happen when you are afraid to check on your child. I have lost 2 family members in their sleep, both from suffocation. one was a few months ago.
you shouldnt take everything as negative criticism.
2007-01-16 16:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by proud mommy and wife 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋