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Original poster

Storing formula, quick question

36 replies

emilyeggs · 31/07/2013 22:22

Evening all, I was just wondering if anyone stores pre made formula in the fridge (I've seen people say they do), and if so, how long do you keep it in there? I've never done it and have never kept a bottle passed the 2hr deadline but ds is weaning and may only dring 1-2 oz of a 7oz bottle. It's such a waist. I know I could make smaller bottles but was just wondering if it can be kept safely :)

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AnythingNotEverything · 31/07/2013 22:26

Be prepared for this return into a bun fight ... but yes, you CAN pre make bottles, as long as you make them with 70 degree+ water, flash cool them and keep them at the back of the fridge. I'm not sure there's any agreement on how long you should store them for, but lots of MNers report making day bottles in the morning, and night bottles in the evening.

LittleBearPad · 31/07/2013 22:26

How old is DS? Have you thought about cutting down his bottles as 1-2oz is a faff as you say.

Think up to 2 hours is ok - was with ready made formula.

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 06:57

He is 7 months. He has 3 bottles a day but normally one of them will be waisted and only some of it drunk. I prepare the bottles in the morning with water only, then add the powder just before his feed. Maybe I should just stick to this to be safe. Thanks ladies x

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KateCroydon · 01/08/2013 07:17

So the powder is going into cold water?

HumTiddlyTum · 01/08/2013 07:37

The powder shouldn't be going into cold water. It needs to be at least 70degrees to kill the bacteria in the powder.

Fwiw the food standards agency guidelines say that when its not practical to make them up fresh every time then they recommend make up, flash cool, back of fridge. This is how its prepared in hospitals.

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 07:56

Yes into cooled boiled water,

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Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 07:57

How long can you keep them in the fridge once made up?

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rallytog1 · 01/08/2013 08:04

Water must be at least 70 degrees when you put the powder in - if you use cooled boiled water you run the risk of nasties in the milk powder being able to thrive. One way to do this quickly is to keep the hot water in a good thermos flask - then you can just make up bottles from the flask as you need them.

Flash cooled bottles can be kept in the back of the fridge for up to 24 hours. I'm pretty sure I've seen that in the Unicef guidelines and it's advice I've been given consistently from HVs and other HCPs.

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:10

It says let the water cool for 30 min, nothing about water being 70 degrees (I've just checked twice).

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rainbowfeet · 01/08/2013 08:14

Are you saying to make a bottle fresh with boiled water allow to cool then let dc drink some & store rest for next feed??! In that case no... Because of the variant in temperatures..

I unfortunately used to waste lots at weaning stage too it's only a temporary thing until you find yourself dropping feeds out in place of proper meals rather than tasters.

You could make 2 smaller fresh bottles pop 1 straight into the fridge so it's there should baby want more there & then?!!

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:23

Thanks rainbow, I will do that. Glad to hear its just a stage. Some days he won't eat as much solids than others and I worry he's not getting enough milk on those days, but he never wakes in the nigh for food so I guess I should follow his lead

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Loupee · 01/08/2013 08:25

Once a bottle has been drunk from, it has to be finished within 2 hours or discarded.
Boiled water will cool to around 70 degrees in 30 minutes. Making up a bottle of water in the morning, and adding the milk in around lunchtime isn't safe, for example.

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emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:30

Ok, thanks for advice

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/08/2013 08:31

Isn't it 'let it cool for NO MORE THAN 30 minutes'?

Emily I don't think you should put it in the fridge once he's had some I would just make up 3oz then if he's still hungry do another one, because it needs to be cooked very quickly if you're going to put it in the fridge and you won't be able to do that as he will be busy drinking it for a bit

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:48

Hey spotty, it says "leave to cool for 30 minutes" no at least or no more than. Think this should be more clear as I always thought it was do you didn't scald baby!
As for the bottles being made up with water, this is something I have always done and was told I could do as long as I used them in 24hrs. I'm confused now, looks like I've been doing it wrong for the last six months but he's never been i'll

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emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:49

*so you didn't scald

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KingRollo · 01/08/2013 08:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:53

Thanks king feel better now, my ds has never had a bad tummy, indeed only ever has a cold (that didn't even bother him) once so I must be going something right

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/08/2013 08:54

SCBU nurses told me to do that with dd a couple of years ago.

Ds only has one bottle a day so I just make it up as I need it.

Either way I wouldn't put a half drank bottle back in the fridge (your original question )

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emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:54

*doing something (bloody phone)

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Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 08:55

Thanks spotty, you are right re the fridge, I won't be doing that x

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KingRollo · 01/08/2013 08:57

This reply has been deleted

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RobotHamster · 01/08/2013 09:02

Oh Ffs its not bollocks. Formula needs to be made up with hot water,not cold.
It is safe to make up a batch of formula, cool quickly and store in the fridge for 24 hours though

OP in your case I'd buy the cartons of formula and just use what you need if its small amounts. Far easier

MiaowTheCat · 01/08/2013 09:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

emilyeggs · 01/08/2013 09:13

So.....I'll not store milk in the fridge as was only going to store what hadn't been drunk and this is wrong. Thanks ladies

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