For many parents, formula feeding is an important part of their baby’s daily routine.
But with all the information out there, it can be difficult to know the best practices when it comes to formula feeding.
One of the most common questions that parents ask is how long can formula sit out?
Learn the essentials of formula safety and find out how long you can safely leave your baby’s bottle out in this blog post.
Safety First – Always Refrigerate Unused Formula
Refrigerate any unused prepared formula and any opened containers of powder or concentrate for formula safety.
It is important to store these containers away from raw foods such as meat, seafood and poultry in order to avoid cross-contamination.
Additionally, make sure the containers are tightly sealed in order to protect the contents from bacteria and other contaminants.
How Long Can Formula Sit Out?
Once you have prepared a bottle for your baby, it is generally recommended that you discard any leftover formula after two hours of being at room temperature.
Any longer than two hours and bacteria can begin to grow on the surface of the liquid, making it unsafe for your baby’s consumption.
If you are planning on traveling with prepared bottles, try to keep them cool by placing them in an insulated lunch bag or cooler with an ice pack or frozen water bottle.
Additionally, if possible try not to use bottles that have been sitting out for more than an hour as they may have already begun to spoil.
Tips for Preparing Formula Safely
When preparing bottles of formula for your baby, always make sure you follow safe hygiene practices such as washing your hands thoroughly. Then, handle and clean utensils such as measuring cups and spoons with hot soapy water between uses.
For proper cleaning, wash bottles in hot soapy water and rinse well before sterilizing them in a steam sterilizer or boiling water for five minutes between uses.
Formula feeding can be daunting but by following these simple guidelines you can ensure that your baby stays safe while still giving them all the nutrition they need!
Refrigerate any unused prepared formula immediately and discard any leftover formula that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours.
Take these steps, and you can rest assured knowing that your little one will only get the best!
