How long is too long?

Question

After a bottle of formula is warmed, how long can I let it sit out before feeding it to my baby? If she only finishes half, can she eat the other half an hour later?

Answer 1

formula can stay out at room temperature (whether heated or not) for two hours, if the bottle you put it in was sterilized.

if the bottle wasn't sterilized, only washed, the formula is safe for only one hour.

also, once your baby starts drinking from the bottle, it's no longer sterile, so it's only safe for one hour after baby starts drinking.

when my babies were less than six weeks old (and more susceptible to infections), i always threw out old formula. but after six weeks i didn't worry as much. if a bottle had been out less than an hour, i put it in the fridge and used it again later. you just have to make sure you remember to throw out any leftovers that have been used twice!!!

formula does spoil just like milk, but even breast milk and cow's milk take lots longer than 2 hours to start spoiling.... the breast milk guidelines actually say 3-4 hours is okay at room temp.... so i think the 2-hour guideline for formula is very safe. :)

Answer 2

I would suggest to only make half of what you are making for now. If she still seems hungry, make a little more. Formula is just like milk in the spoiling department. Once it's heated up, it doesn't last very long. Good luck!

Answer 3

formula can only be used for up to an hour once the bottle it is in is used to feed from. it begins to break down and spoil use it once its heated and only heat once. heating also causes it to break down and spoil

Answer 4

it sounds like she is wasteful. make her drink the rest