Re-using made up formula

[chele]

Max sometimes won't take the whole bottle. On a few occasions he has taken only 60ml of the 120ml bottle during the night, so on his next feed (2.5 hours later) I've given him the rest of the bottle

This is a bad idea right? I know you are supposed to throw away formula after two hours, but reading the threads where you all make up the bottles in advance, this shouldn't be a problem should it?

Or if I am going to do it should I at least put the formula in a fresh bottle as the teat is no longer sterile?

 

[blahblahblah]

The problem with keeping a partially drunk bottle is that once it's been in his mouth bacteria will be on the teat, and some of his saliva will have got to the milk inside. Also, the bottle will be warm or at least room temp, so this combination means an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

It's up to you as to whether you want to take the risk - if I was in that position now my LO is approaching 6 months I possibly would, but at 4 weeks I definitely wouldn't have.

 

[ellie27]

I wouldnt drink milk that has been sitting in a cup for 2 or 3 hours so I wouldnt give my LO it!

You said it was just a few occasions so you are not really wasting much formula by making up a new bottle later on.

Or maybe you could make up two 60ml bottles of water for nights and if he takes the first and is still hungry then could have the other?

 

[_Vicky_]

I never keep it - I may let it sit for an hour and only recently now they are bigger although chances are one twin or another will finish it off.

What I used to do is use some sterile pots and prepare 30ml 'top ups' when the boys were teeny that way nothing was wasted - hth x

 

[littleblonde]

I never do it eiither. They say not more than 2 hours. But i dont even risk it that long. I have a similar problem where she will drink between 4oz ans d 6oz. i think im gonna store soe boiled water in fridge so i can quickly make more when needed.

 

[minnie83]

I personally wouldn't risk it, although when LO was really young she was also doing the same sometimes and not finishing feeds. I would throw it away after an hour and a half, even though they say 2 hours just to be on the safe side. I'd rather waste a couple of oz's every now and then than have her get sick.

 

[Kit]

I agree with the others - this is not a good idea, either in the same bottle or in a new bottle. I don't leave formula for more than an hour even now he is older.

 

[chele]

I wouldnt drink milk that has been sitting in a cup for 2 or 3 hours so I wouldnt give my LO it!

You said it was just a few occasions so you are not really wasting much formula by making up a new bottle later on.

Or maybe you could make up two 60ml bottles of water for nights and if he takes the first and is still hungry then could have the other?

What a bloody good idea!! Sometimes I am so ditzy

Thanks ladies!! x

 

[suzib76]

if you pre make formula you then cool it quickly and keep it in the fridge to stop any bacteria growing in it, the bottle you have warmed and given to lo cannot then be cooled and warmed again, same as our food i guess lol

 

[SJR]

Sometimes my son just won't finish his bottle, but we never give him the same bottle again after 2 hours.

 

[loopy_lou]

I got a booklet from the health visitor and it says no longer than 2 hours. What i tend to do is pop it bottle back into the cool box bit of the bottle warmer so the bottle stays chilled in the hope it delays any bacterial growth. I have a post it note i stick on the lid so i know which is which.

 

[hattiehippo]

Tom very rarely finishes a bottle but can take anywhere between 4 and 7 ozs each feed so we make up 8oz bottles and I'm forever having to throw milk away. The only time I will give it back to him is if it has come out of a carton and its within an hour of him starting to drink it. Otherwise its just not worth the risk I think.