Combining left over formula.

[Mrs Little]

Hi There.

I've started this thread in hope that someone can provide a clear explanation as to why you shouldn't combine left over formula with other left over formula in another bottle. I will then share this knowledge with DH.

DH has decided that NOT mixing two left overs from two sperate bottles together is absurd. I've tried to explain that it will make the baby ill....but he doesn't understand. He thinks it's wasting left over formula. He keeps saying 'oh well...we'll agree to disagree'. In a normal situation 'agreeing to disagree' would be fine...but in this case i'm concerned that he will actually mix left over formula together in one bottle....without me knowing..... So rather than argue with him, i need to provide him with some background knowledge has to why you shouldn't do it. That way i have educated him, and hopefully he wont make that mistake.

If by some weird chance i am totally wrong and he is right, then i'm happy to tell him that he go on his merry little way and save $ by mixing formula's together.

Thanks in advance.

Mrs Little & Son.

[sam's mum]

nope you are right, and he is wrong, so wrong.

for starters there is the whole change of temperature thing while bubba drinks it, then to rechill it, and then reheat it.... :no:

Also you can't convince me that there isn't some of the bubba spit contaminating the contents of the bottle. Feed from a jar of custard where you keep putting the spoon back in when they haven't quite taken everything off the spoon. Leave some custard in the tin/jar/whatever. Leave it sit for about 15 minutes. He will be able to see that the fairly solidish custard is now liquid - this is the saliva breakdown effect and this is why we throw unused food away. Same principle for the milk. (IMO)

[Karizma]

oh my...

Yes and because you are supposed to use the made formula within 2hrs of making it. Thats refridgerated and mostly because bacteria.
http://msucares.com/health/food_safety/foodfaq58.html
A link with easy info to understand :D

[veve]

I use leftover formula to make cereal - its always chilled though ... but I hate wasting it too .. and I cant STAND it when DS doesn't drink enough in one day .. so I tend to make cereal up .. he is happier with solids rather than milk ..

xxx

[reAllytee]

I started at about 10mths or so making up a certain amount per day in a large bottle that holds 800mls this then gets stored in the fridge & Boof was only being given 100mls when he wanted a feed then if he wanted more i would heat some more up this way nothing got wasted & the leftover milk at the end of the day i would use to make his custard or another meal for him saved time & money !
You also have to remember the reason you shouldnt keep the milk out of the bottle they drink from is that there will be some backwash which means the bacteria from bubs mouth is then in the bottle ! Yuck ! You will realise how gross this is when you are feeding solids & they only have part of it, if you were then to leave it to the side until late you will see it goes all watery & yuck again thats because of the bacteria from bubs mouth.
So like milk the food bubs eats shouldnt be kept for later on either.

[Chickadee]

If you do a web search you'll find a heap of sites with instructions on bottle feeding and they all say something along the lines of this:



Prepared formula should be stored in the refrigerator and must be used within 48 hours. Prepared formula left at room temperature for more than 1 hour should be thrown away. At the end of each feeding, throw away any formula left in the bottle.


Your son can become seriously ill from the bacteria that can grow in used bottles, or in formula that has been exposed to bacteria transferred from his mouth. There are much better ways for your DH to practice efficiency or save money. I used to make up the days formula in a container like Allyoo suggested, although I found it impractical after DD was around 4 months old, due to the volumes she was having.

[FourAngelKisses]

What everyone else said, plus, if your baby doesn't drink the formula within half an hour, it should be thrown out because of bacteria growing in there. Would your DH drink milk that has been sitting on the bench for 30mins?? I doubt it!!!

[~Alicia]

:eek: I am soooo glad I read this! I used to save leftover formula in the fridge to use later. I don't do it as often as I used to though.

Thanks Girls :thumbsup: