American Moms...help! I need advice.

[Peggy O]

I have a few cans of Enfamil (Soup can type cans) liquid concentrate. We use formula once a day and have been using the powder so far, or ready to use single liquid (not concentrated). Now we are on to the cans, and I am wondering if I should mix it in her bottles, or in some sort of pitcher, and if there is any difference in how long I can safely store it once open in the fridge, with either option. Also, do I need to sterilize the can opener/pitcher etc? We do not sterilize bottles, I just wash them in very hot tap water with normal dish detergent and dry on a boon Grass rack. I usually make her (powder) formula bottle up 5 minutes before she drinks it so multiplying bacteria from sitting in an unsterilized (but clean) bottle was never really a concern. Is there any danger of bacteria multiplying in the fridge with the way I am doing things, can I make up bottles from this canned stuff now for use in the next two days safely? I'm worried, I think I like the powder better but we want to use this up.

 

[rory83coyotes]

I'm not sure. What's the can say. You could mix it up and keep in a pitcher. I think it has to be used 24 hours after opening

 

[Tweak0605]

Once mixed with water, powder formula is only good for 24 hours in the fridge. I believe it's 1-2 hours sitting out at room temp. I just make them up at each bottle feeding. I tried mixing it ahead of time, but it's easier for me to just mix up as I go.

 

[Mica]

We recently tried to switch to powder and it made me so anxious. I prefer the liquid concentrate. I think it might just be that once you get used to something it's hard to switch, because you're changing a whole routine, not just a product.
We use Similac Advance, but I'm pretty sure this would apply. We boil to sterilize the water for the formula, then let it cool to room temperature. Then we mix it with the concentrate in a glass container. Once mixed it is good for 48 hours in the fridge. We were combi-feeding before, so at first some would expire and we'd have to toss it, but now we go through a little over one can a day.
We sterilize bottles once a day, but we don't sterilize the mason jar we use or the can opener - we just wash them with very hot tap water and dish soap. I am starting to wonder if sterilizing the bottles is even necessary at this point...
Anyway, like I said, using the liquid concentrate has been very easy for me and I prefer it. Hope this helps until you go through yours. Good luck!

 

[Peggy O]

Thanks guys. I ended up using a Mason Jar as well...easy to clean, and we use 4 oz per day so we didn't get to it all, but I am glad to be using some of it atleast. I bought a new can opener, just the type that punches a small hole, to use only for formula cans. I should have read the can before I got this....I didn't know it went off so quick. Oh well.

 

[Bethi22]

Most liquid premades are good for 3 days after opening, stored in the fridge. I'm not sure what the Enfamil cans say but I'm pretty sure that's what's on the Similac version. hth

 

[Katy Bug]

I always thought bottles made from formula were only good in the fridge for 24 hours, but I could be wrong. I've never seen formula cans where you have to open it with an opener, you could always store the powder in a sterile container, couldn't you? Or could bacteria build up in there..ooh, I don't know..

 

[Peggy O]

This kind. It's good for 48 when mixed,
I was just worried about using an opener that opens other food and contaminating it...and that that could make a breeding ground for something funky to happen in the fridge.

https://www.diapers.com/p/enfamil-infant-concentrate-formula-13-oz-12-pk-15858?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=MJ-039&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&CAWELAID=1338706267&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=MJ-039&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw={keyword}