Keeping a baby’s formula fresh and safe is a crucial — but perhaps not obvious — part of the job for a new parent. After all, you spend very little time thinking about how to keep your baby’s formula good for as long as possible because it comes in ready-to-feed packs. From the moment you set eyes on those little ready-to-feed pouches until they hit the bottom of the bin, there are many things you can do to extend their shelf life.
What Is Formula Good For?
The goal of keeping a baby’s formula fresh and safe is twofold. The first part is to make sure that the nutrients found in the formula don’t spoil and become useless — and potentially harmful — to baby. The second part is to prevent any harmful bacteria like listeria and salmonella from contaminating the ready-to-feed formula if it is not kept at the correct temperature. Ready-to-feed formula can be kept in a fridge at a temperature of 2–8 degrees Celsius for a period of no more than three months from the date of manufacture. If you open a new can of formula powder and add water to make a fresh batch of ready-to-feed formula, this time limit is increased to six months. You have to be aware of how long is prepared formula good forto keep your baby safe.
How To Keep Your Baby’s Formula Fresh And Safe
Keeping a baby’s formula fresh and safe is as simple as keeping it in the right conditions. This means following a few basic rules and knowing how long is formula good for:
- Buy ready-to-feed formula in quantities that match your baby’s nutritional needs.
- Keep your baby’s ready-to-feed formula in a cool, dry place — like a fridge — where it can remain fresh for as long as possible.
- Always check the use-by date printed on the packaging of the ready-to-feed formula before making a batch.
- If you notice that the fresh formula doesn’t smell right, throw it out and make a new batch.
- If you are using powdered formula, keep it tightly covered and in a cool place where it won’t be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Tips To Make Ready-To-Feed Formula Last Longer
Ready-to-feed formula has been designed to last as long as possible. However, there are a few things you can do to give it a helping hand and prolong its lifespan: – Check the packaging of the ready-to-feed formula and the date of manufacture before buying it. – If you are going on holiday and will not be able to refrigerate the ready-to-feed formula, speak to your doctor or health visitor about re-lactating your breast milk to extend the shelf life of your ready-to-feed formula. – If you open a new can of formula, write the date on the lid. When you have made your last batch, write the date of this batch on the lid and store it in a cool, dry place.
Ready-to-feed formula is a great choice for many parents. However, it is important to keep it fresh and safe — for both your baby and your family. You should follow the tips above to make your batch last as long as possible.
