It is no longer recommended that you make up bottles using infant formula milk powder in advance to store in the fridge. Advice from the UK Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency in November 2005 says that feeds should always be made up fresh, using boiled water that is hotter than 70 degrees C; in practice this means using water that has been left to cool for no more than half an hour.
The new advice is based on the fact that the milk powder itself is not sterile, and once made up, there is a small risk of harmful bacteria developing in any formula which is kept for use later in the day. Storing made up formula milk may increase the chance of a baby becoming ill and therefore it should be avoided. Any milk left over after a feed should be thrown away.
Mothers who need to prepare a feed for later use should keep just boiled water in a sealed flask and make up fresh formula when it is needed. The temperature of the feed should be tested and, if necessary, cooled by holding the bottle, with the cap covering the teat, under cold running water.
Formula milk is not suitable for freezing.
Reviewed March 2006
The information above is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
