Is it ok to store made-up formula bottles in the fridge?

[Madigan]

I have been preparing bottles of formula in advance (using powder, and cooled boiled water) and then storing them in the fridge and using them within 24 hours. I have just read in one of my books that, in fact, formula should not be made up in advance .... is this true? I asked my GP and he seemed to suggest that the author of the book was being over-cautious and that it is fine to prepare formula in advance... what do you think?

Hi Madigan, i used to do the same for my ds1 and he seems ok (now 8 )And if your gp seems to think this is fine i would say it's ok if your still unsure ask your health visitor. Sorry not to be more help x

Hm, thing is, once prepared, if any bacterias etc are in teh Formula, they will grow rapidly and then could become a problem.
When I did use Formula I used to sterilise teh bottles and then add the freshly boiled water and put it into the fridge and added then powder just before feeding it. The thing is that it is impossible to prepare Formula sterile....

officially not - will see if I can find the current guidelines in a sec
but 30000 MNers will post and say 'never did my kids any harm'

your call

The current advice from HV's etc is that you should only store it for one hour.

What I tend to do is fill the bottles with cooled water and then add the powder as I go along. Just as easy really.

govt guidance

Don't store tham in the fridge door as it isn't cold enough. Why not just make up water and leave it on the side so your LO will take room temp milk and you can warm it up for bed time if you wish.

Current guidelines say water shouldn't be less than 70 degrees when you add the powder.

See here for more info

Or just read this, which is the text of that link!

The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency have issued revised guidance for health professionals on the preparation and storage of powdered infant formula milk.

Health professionals should update their advice to people preparing infant formula milk at home and in other care settings, including nurseries and child minders.

Powdered infant and follow-on formulas are not sterile, which means they can contain harmful bacteria. So it is important to take care when preparing and storing formula, to reduce the risk of babies becoming ill. Bacteria will be killed if formula is made up following the advice, which includes using water that is at least 70°C.

The main change to the guidance is to include options on what people can do if they are going out, or want to take a feed to a nursery or childminder and are not able to follow best practice. In these situations, people should take hot water in a vacuum flask to make up a feed when needed. If this is not possible, they should prepare the feed and cool it in the fridge before transporting it in a cool bag and using it within four hours.

oh well done hunker, that was the link I was looking for

so can I store cooled boiled water and then reheat it to at .least 70 degrees before adding the formula?

I did and DS is alive and kicking.

I used to make it up with hot water and stand them in a sink of cold water to cool them quickly before putting them in the back if the fridge.

It is technically against the rules though.

I think it depends on the age of the child. DS is almost 19 months (still on hypo formula) and I make it with cold then just warm it in the microwave. His system is fine with that but I wouldn't tempt it with a newborn.