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Original poster

Feed 4 year old left over baby formula?

46 replies

Countrymummy36 · 26/01/2022 09:47

Hello. First post. Hopefully this is in the right place.

My newborn has been breastfeeding I bought some formula for him in case I needed it but we’ve managed and now and I have leftover premixed formula which isn’t in his age range anymore. I feel it’s a waste to put in the bin, I was wondering if you mumsnetters think my 4 year old might benefit from the vitamins or will it just upset her stomach?

OP posts:

TheVolturi · 26/01/2022 11:08

@LakeShoreD

I have a bottle of formula left in the cupboard from the baby who has now gone on to cows milk and I didn’t think for a moment about giving it to the 4YO because that would be a really weird and totally unnecessary thing to do!

If it’s stage 1 milk baby can have that at any point in the first year, they absolutely don’t need to have follow on milk. So check the expiration date but if you think you might introduce formula then I’d keep it. You could also use it for weaning the baby, for example to mix with porridge. Alternatively ask around as someone might want it.

Weird and unnecessary? Really? It's milk, the same as other cows milk.

Fifthtimelucky · 26/01/2022 11:10

I'd cook with it - something like rice pudding, custard or cheese sauce.

Floralnomad · 26/01/2022 11:12

@Useranon1

It's strange not to use it for the baby due to being out of their age range, but to use it for a 4yo which is much further out of range! Just give it to baby.

This !

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Polyputthekettleon · 26/01/2022 11:12

Use it for your own tea or coffee 😊

This^. If it should be good enough for your 4 Yr old it should be good enough for you too.

IDontLikeMondays88 · 26/01/2022 11:13

A lot of the answers have assumed the OP can afford to just give expensive formula away is my point. But anyway…

Cuddlywaterfall · 26/01/2022 11:14

@IDontLikeMondays88 but OP has already bought it! Use, bin or donate she's not getting her money back

LakeShoreD · 26/01/2022 11:14

Formula isn’t the same as standard cows milk, it tastes totally different for starters. It is unnecessary to feed formula to a 4YO and yes I think it is weird when OP doesn’t want to give it to the baby because it’s out of their age range but is considering giving it a 4YO that’s even further out of the age range. The normal thing to do would be to use it in baby cereal if you don’t want to waste of donate it!

kitcat15 · 26/01/2022 11:15

@mindutopia

Could you donate it to a food bank? Or alternatively, I'd just mix it in with cereal or porridge for your baby. It doesn't take great, so I can't imagine an older child willingly drinking it, but would do no harm.

Food banks are not allowed to take formula

RedCandyApple · 26/01/2022 11:16

So sell it then for a couple of pounds if she’s that in need, I would personally give it away though I have seen people selling formula. I wouldn’t give it to a 4 year old.

MeredithGreyishblue · 26/01/2022 11:19

I'd use it in baby food unless your 4 year old particularly likes the taste. It's not very nice!

PinkWaferBiscuit · 26/01/2022 11:19

@IDontLikeMondays88

A lot of the answers have assumed the OP can afford to just give expensive formula away is my point. But anyway…

She's already brought it through and doesn't want it to go to waste. Giving it away, giving it to the baby or donating it all eman it's going to get used. Most of us are simply pointing out that giving it to the 4 yera old is actually the only option most likely to lead to it being wasted.

TheVolturi · 26/01/2022 11:22

@LakeShoreD

It's still milk and although sweeter with added vitamins etc it would be fine to use for the 4 year old or anyone. For example on cereal, for hot chocolate in coffee etc. It's not weird. There isn't anything weird about it.

firstimemamma · 26/01/2022 11:24

We had this with ds1 and gave it to a food bank. Planning on doing same again with next baby.

RobotValkyrie · 26/01/2022 11:54

Infant formula tastes vile from what I remember... As in, smells of vomit...
I wouldn't feed that to anyone who isn't in the target age range.

However the kind of "milk with extra vitamins" targeted at toddlers is probably OK for anyone to drink. A bit sweet, so in small doses, but should taste fine and do no harm.

Original poster

Countrymummy36 · 26/01/2022 12:46

Thanks. I didn’t realise the follow on milk was a marketing thing. Ill keep it for weaning or see if someone in the village group would like it. It is within date and the premixed stuff. It should keep. Thank for the advice! I won’t be giving this to my daughter I’m sure she’ll be glad .

OP posts:

Lavender2021 · 26/01/2022 12:57

Is it opened as they only say to keep them a month once opened on the powder formula.

Huckleberries73 · 26/01/2022 12:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

ThreeRingCircus · 26/01/2022 13:21

Meh my DDs had the pre made formula on occasion up until the age of 3. Mainly if we were away in a hotel or on a long car drive they had it in place of their bedtime cows' milk as it's easier to store/doesn't need to be refrigerated.

It'll do no harm to anyone of any age if they actually want to drink it.

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/01/2022 13:25

I am clearly a distinct minority - I love the taste of formula. It’s quite nice in porridge, or milk-based desserts if you make any.

If you just don’t want to bin it, left over formula is quite often advertised free on our local Nextdoor and always gets snapped up quickly.

KurtWilde · 26/01/2022 13:39

I used to finish my baby brothers bottle off when he'd done with it, I was 6 and I loved it

Polyputthekettleon · 26/01/2022 14:53

**I am clearly a distinct minority - I love the taste of formula. It’s quite nice in porridge, or milk-based desserts if you make any.

If you just don’t want to bin it, left over formula is quite often advertised free on our local Nextdoor and always gets snapped up quickly.**

I think I know who snaps up the formula on your local Nextdoor 🤣

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