Leftover formula

jain2312

I feed enfamil newborn ready to use formula to my baby.. Every bottle is 2 ounce but my baby don't finish it every time,I feel its a total waste throwing the leftover milk every time.. I do understand 1 hour is the upper limit if baby has drunk from the bottle.. But If I use feeding bottles to feed my baby can I store the formula in the formula bottle for later use?
How long can I store open formula bottle in the fridge ?
TIA

Bigboobsmcgee

Bacteria from your baby's mouth can get into the bottle and into the formula so they recommend never reusing. I on the other hand don't listen to that recommendation but luckily it hasn't bit me in the ass yet. Both my kids have drank leftover formula bottles and are fine.

leela02

I think the risk of a sick baby is not worth saving some expired formula. One thing you can do to lessen the waste is to give your LO less formula at a time, like 1 ounce instead of 2. Some people find it convenient to mix up a larger container of formula for the day (many formulas can be refrigerated for 24 hrs if the baby hasn't drunk from the container) and pour out small amounts into a bottle as needed.

aluapaniri

Along the same lines, is it ok to mix old and new breast milk bottles? I hate to throw out the leftover in the bottle after she is done but not sure if that is safe? Any ideas?

beemaya83

@jain2312 I had the same issue as you! The problem is that the instructions are confusing. So, if your have the 2oz ready to use formula and feed the bsby from that same bottle for one feeding, you can only use that sAme bottle after one hour, this is because the baby saliva will breakdown some of the nutrients and possibly contaminate the formula. However, what you can do is open that 2oz bottle and split it in half. So 1oz put in a baby bottle and the other 1oz you can feed. The 1oz you didn't use you can store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I was given this advice by my lactation specialist. Hope this helps!