It is not advisable to keep formula milk for longer than the duration of a feed -- approximately an hour. If your baby doesn't finish all his milk, don't keep the leftover formula. Throw it away. This is because it may be contaminated by bacteria and bacteria thrive and breed in warm environments. Your baby has naturally occurring bacteria in his saliva and these could have passed through the teat into the formula. This advice also applies to expressed breastmilk and solid baby foods. Although it may seem an expensive waste to throw it out, it is not advisable to re-heat formula, breastmilk or baby foods, either.
Try and gauge how much your baby will be roughly taking per feed, so that there aren't vast amounts left over each time and remember you can always make up more if necessary. It is no longer recommended to make up powdered infant formula to keep in the fridge in advance of a feed. This is because the powder is not sterile and there is a small chance that it may develop harmful bacteria.
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.
