There are situations when the baby cannot be fed formula from a bottle. A positive attitude, as well as maximum effort on the part of mother and baby, will help to establish the process of natural nutrition. Do not despair if your newborn baby needs to consume only artificial nutrition. By following simple recommendations, any mother can easily learn how to choose, prepare and store formula for her baby.
Increased attention should be paid to how long you can store baby formula in a bottle. This is extremely important for maintaining the health of the child. After all, with every drop of food, the newborn receives a valuable source of energy and nutrients that are essential for its intensive growth and development. Proper nutrition of a child up to six months is the key to his future health.
Dry mix
After a certain age, in addition to breast milk, special infant formulas begin to be added to the child’s diet. They are balanced and designed to saturate a rapidly growing body. But the storage of these products must be approached with special care.
First of all, you should remember that the shelf life of dry and ready-made mixtures, as well as their storage conditions, differ significantly.
Storage conditions
Dry powder in a factory-closed container does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. It is placed in any cool, dark place. And stored for the time specified by the manufacturer. After opening the package, the product should be kept in a dry place with a temperature up to +25°C. For example, on the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet, located away from heat sources.
You should not put dry powder in the refrigerator: high humidity levels will lead to the formation of lumps, the product will become too soggy and will quickly spoil.
When a jar (inner bag) with baby dry food is opened, be sure to close it tightly after each use of the formula. And you should scoop up the contents exclusively with a dry, clean spoon.
Shelf life
The shelf life of infant formula is 3 weeks from the moment the package is opened. Further use of the product is possible only as an ingredient in baking. Or for making other dishes, but not feeding the baby. If the product becomes wet, lumpy, or has an off-odor, it should be thrown away, even if it has not yet passed its expiration date. When the container is opened (the manufacturer packs the product in a vacuum bag), its contents come into contact with oxygen. As a result of the interaction, reactions occur that change the properties of the mixture within 3 weeks. After this time, it becomes unsuitable for use by a child, whose body is very sensitive to any changes. Even if the product looks and tastes normal, the baby's digestive system can react very strongly to it.
Remember! Dry baby formulas are stored at temperatures up to +25°C in a dry, dark place.
Knowing how and where to store formula for feeding your baby is not enough. It is important that all utensils used for its preparation, as well as measuring spoons, nipples, etc., are sterile. Therefore, the dishes are kept in a special sealed container or sterilizer.
What determines the deadlines?
The fact is that infant formula is made taking into account the child’s needs for nutrients, vitamins, fats and other important components. Each of them plays its role in the processes of formation and development of organs and systems of a small person. Some vitamins can be destroyed by light or improper storage.
In addition, the adapted mixture is a tasty food for all kinds of bacteria, which is again due to its high biological value. Complete sterility cannot be created at home, so you just need to remember the permissible storage periods in the room or refrigerator and follow them. And if there is any doubt about the quality of the diluted mixture, mercilessly get rid of it, so as not to jeopardize the fragile balance in the growing body. There are known cases of serious poisoning from expired formula. The manufacturer has protected itself with a detailed annotation, but it is the parents who must protect their child by ensuring its compliance.
A baby up to one year old does not feed exclusively on breast milk, but is bottle-fed or mixed-fed? After you have chosen the brand of the mixture and learned everything about its dosage, other issues are put on the agenda. Namely, how to store the mixture, dry and diluted, at what temperature, for how long, and how long it is suitable for consumption. Since the health and well-being of the child depends on the freshness and quality of food, it is necessary to approach the solution of these issues responsibly, with knowledge of the matter. Let's get started.
How long can you store ready-made baby formula?
The question of how long you can store diluted baby formula is often asked by young parents. Typically, the product packaging contains detailed instructions for its use. Each manufacturer has its own requirements for storage and manufacturing rules. But all pediatricians advise feeding your child exclusively freshly prepared food . Therefore, the most correct thing is to prepare the mixture for one feeding so that you do not have to store it.
In situations where in the near future it will not be possible to dilute the powder with boiled water, you will need to organize storage of the finished mixture. After preparation, you can store baby formula outside the refrigerator for no more than 4 hours. At temperatures up to +4°C, theoretically the product will maintain quality for up to 30 hours. But giving such a treat to a baby is not recommended.
This way you can store baby formula in the refrigerator. But this time should not exceed one day.
This data applies only to those cases when containers with baby food are tightly sealed with sterile lids, and the baby did not eat directly from there.
If the baby is fed from a container where the formula is stored, it will quickly deteriorate due to the development of pathogenic microorganisms that are contained in the saliva of any person, even the smallest.
On the road, a refrigerator bag will help you store formula for feeding your baby for several hours. The food will keep for a sufficient amount of time, provided that the bag is not opened too often, creating temperature changes. For the same reason, the finished product is not kept on the door of a stationary refrigerator.
Where should I keep the jar with the mixture?
The sealed container of the mixture can be stored at room temperature and normal humidity. If the jar has already been opened and is being used for its intended purpose, then it is better to move it to a cool and dry place, but not to the refrigerator. You should also avoid direct sunlight on the container with the powder, so as not to destroy the vitamins and shorten the shelf life of the food.
When the jar or box is closed, it can be stored for quite a long time, based on the date indicated on the packaging. If the baby has already tried the formula, but for some reason it did not work (switched to breastfeeding, another brand, allergies, etc.), the period of use is reduced to 3-4 weeks. If you see that this type of baby food is not used, then simply get rid of it.
In addition, the adapted mixture is a tasty food for all kinds of bacteria, which is again due to its high biological value. Complete sterility cannot be created at home, so you just need to remember the permissible storage periods in the room or refrigerator and follow them. And if there is any doubt about the quality of the diluted mixture, mercilessly get rid of it, so as not to jeopardize the fragile balance in the growing body. There are known cases of serious poisoning from expired formula. The manufacturer has protected itself with a detailed annotation, but it is the parents who must protect their child by ensuring its compliance.
Feeding outside the home
To prepare a fresh mixture on a walk (during a trip), you need to take with you:
- thermos with boiled water,
- sterile bottle with nipple,
- dry powder in a closed bag.
There is no need to dilute it in advance: this is done immediately before feeding.
Modern bottles for feeding babies (they come in plastic, glass, silicone) require a special lid. It, of course, to some extent protects the pacifier from germs, but it is better to rinse it with boiling water before feeding your baby.
How to heat baby food
The finished feeding mixture must be poured into a sterile bottle . Subsequent sterilization of the product is not required, otherwise it will lose all the beneficial properties necessary for the child.
If you hold the product in a container with hot water, after 10 - 15 minutes you can offer it to your baby.
Remember! The microwave is not considered a good way to warm up baby food.
Some of the amino acids that are present in infant formula are quickly destroyed under the influence of electromagnetic radiation. The resulting compounds are toxic to small children, so this type of heating is best avoided.
Storage rules
Strict adherence to storage rules will help to avoid negative reactions of the child’s body. At the same time, it is very important to store baby formula at the correct temperature. The second important factor is the use of sterile containers with tight-fitting lids .
If the finished mixture comes into contact with the baby's saliva, its further storage will not guarantee the quality of the product.
The storage temperature of ready-made milk formula for feeding a child should not exceed +5°C - +7°C. You can leave it in such conditions for only a few hours. Those wondering how to keep the mixture warm should consider purchasing an insulated bag. It can maintain the temperature at a certain level, which is very convenient for storing baby food.
You cannot store baby formula in the freezer - at best, it will be useless for the child.
Adapted milk formula is a worthy alternative to breast milk
If the child is completely on artificial nutrition, then the mixture should choose one of the following types:
- Adapted;
- Highly adapted.
When choosing a formula, it is important to take into account the age of the child, as well as his state of health. Currently, manufacturers of infant formula present entire lines of special medicinal mixtures. They perform not only a therapeutic function, but also a preventive one. Your pediatrician will definitely tell you which formula to choose, how to prepare it correctly, and whether the prepared milk formula can be stored in a bottle. Be sure to ask any questions you have during your consultation.
Read more about “Malyutka” milk formulas and cereals on the website https://www.2heartsbeatas1.ru/. There you will also find many tips and recommendations for feeding your baby.
How to Keep Baby Formula Warm
The question of how to keep baby formula warm is quite relevant among young mothers who are used to taking long walks with their children.
The time during which the product retains its quality is limited to three hours. To keep it fresh for as long as possible, wrap the bottle with the diluted warm mixture in several layers of foil or parchment. A thermal bag or a special thermos will also help parents. But it is undesirable to abuse these devices: the child needs fresh food.
Shelf life of mixtures from different manufacturers
The most popular baby food manufacturers recommend the following shelf life for dry formulas:
- Nutrilon guarantees the quality of its products for 3 to 4 weeks after opening the can. The ready-to-use mixture should be used within 1 hour;
- “Nan” - in closed form - up to 1 month, and in the form of a ready-made mixture - 1 - 2 hours at +15°C - +20°C;
- "Similac" - 2.5 weeks after opening the package without refrigeration, at a humidity of 70%. Ready-made – 1.5 hours;
- “Nanny” - up to 1 month in a closed container, 2 hours when ready on the refrigerator shelf;
- "Nestozhen" - 25 - 30 days in powder form, 3 hours in the form of a ready-made mixture.
All parents whose children are mixed or bottle-fed need to know exactly the shelf life of dry and ready-made formulas. This will help keep the baby healthy and save the family from possible problems.
Dry shelf life
Dry mass without breaking the packaging is designed for a long storage period. Opened packaging reduces the period of use to 2-3 weeks, after which it becomes unsuitable for feeding. Formula for newborns has a shorter shelf life due to the rapid growth of bacteria. For example, the “Nan” mixture can be stored for up to a month, and the shelf life of the “Malyutka” and “Malysh” mixtures is 3 weeks.
After opening
Opened mixture is suitable for consumption for an average of 3 weeks. After this period, you cannot feed the baby, even if there is a lot left. After opening the vacuum packaging, the substances begin to interact with air. As a result, their properties change. The most common baby food companies try to indicate the permissible storage time on the labels. The shelf life of the infant formula "Nutrilon" is no longer than 3-4 weeks, "Similac" - 21 days, "Nestozhen" - about 25-30 days. If the color of the mass has changed, there is an unpleasant odor, or it is no longer crumbly but sticky, then the powdered product is spoiled.
Do you use expired food for cooking at home?
Yes, the main thing is to process it if it is meat or expired kefir for pancakes.
27.17%
No, it is very dangerous and not useful.
37.72%
If the products have fungus or mold, then we throw them away; if they are a couple of days past their expiration date, we use them for food, even without heat or other treatment.
35.11%
Voted: 806
