Baby formula is an essential item for many parents and caregivers. It provides vital nutrition for infants who are not breastfed. However, baby formula is a food product that can spoil if not stored properly, especially in hot environments. Understanding how heat impacts powdered and liquid formula can help you keep it safe for baby.
Does powdered baby formula go bad in heat?
Yes, heat can cause powdered formula to go bad faster. Powdered formula has a shelf life of 12 months if stored properly unopened at room temperature. However, exposure to hot temperatures can shorten its shelf life.
Powdered formula contains fats that can go rancid when exposed to heat over time. The proteins in the formula can also denature and break down when subjected to high heat. Furthermore, warmth provides optimal conditions for bacterial growth in the powder.
If the formula develops an unpleasant odor, color changes, caking, or clumping, it is a sign it has likely gone bad. You should not use powdered formula past its expiration date or that shows signs of spoilage.
How to store powdered formula in heat
Here are some tips for storing powdered baby formula in hot environments:
- Store unopened cans in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A pantry or kitchen cupboard away from the stove is ideal.
- Avoid storing formula in places that get hot like garages, cars, or near appliances that give off heat.
- Once opened, transfer powder to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
- Discard opened powdered formula after one month.
- If the room temperature exceeds 85°F, refrigerate unopened cans to extend shelf life.
- Freeze extra cans of powder to prolong freshness. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
- Avoid storing cans directly on the floor or next to walls, which can get hot.
Proper storage helps protect the nutrients, prolong shelf life, and prevent foodborne illnesses. Be sure to check expiration dates and not use any powdered formula past its use-by date.
Does liquid ready-to-feed formula go bad in heat?
Ready-to-feed liquid formula can also spoil faster when subjected to high temperatures. Liquid formula contains heat-sensitive proteins and nutrients.
Bacteria grows rapidly in warm, moist conditions. This means liquid formula left unrefrigerated or in hot environments provides the perfect conditions for microbial growth. Things to look out for are an unpleasant smell, curdling, separation, and gas bubbles, which indicate spoilage.
Storing ready-to-feed formula in hot weather
Follow these guidelines for storing ready-to-feed liquid baby formula when it’s hot out:
- Store unopened bottles in the center of the refrigerator, not the door.
- Use opened bottles within 48 hours.
- Discard any unfinished formula left in bottles after feedings.
- Avoid leaving opened bottles unrefrigerated or taking them in the car.
- Carry small bottle coolers filled with ice packs when on-the-go.
- Freeze extra bottles to extend shelf life up to 3 months.
Following the storage instructions helps maintain the safety and nutritional value of liquid formula during warm weather. Be diligent about checking use-by dates and signs of spoilage.
How long does prepared baby formula last at room temperature?
Once baby formula is prepared by mixing powder with water, it should be used right away or properly refrigerated. The general rule is:
- Use prepared formula within 1 hour if left at room temperature.
- Store prepared formula in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Discard any unused formula after 24 hours.
Bacteria multiplies rapidly in mixed formula left unrefrigerated for longer than an hour. Never leave prepared bottles out for longer periods or reheat unused formula.
Traveling with prepared formula
When traveling, here are some tips for handling prepared formula:
- Bring powder and water separately and mix as needed.
- Use a small cooler with ice packs to keep prepared bottles chilled.
- Consider using disposable bottle liners to mix individual bottles as needed.
- Warm chilled bottles under running warm water, never in the microwave.
- Limit the time prepared bottles are unrefrigerated to less than 1 hour.
Proper handling prevents bacterial growth in bottles when out and about in warm weather with baby.
Can you freeze prepared baby formula?
Prepared liquid formula that babies have not finished drinking cannot be safely refrozen or saved for later. This is because the introduction of bacteria during feeding makes stored mixed formula unsafe.
However, you can freeze small batches of prepared ready-to-feed formula in ice cube trays. Here are some guidelines for doing so:
- Make sure to use ready-to-feed formula, not powdered.
- Pour 2-3 ounces of formula into each ice cube compartment.
- Cover the ice tray and freeze overnight.
- Pop out the frozen formula cubes and store in a sealed freezer bag.
- Thaw cubes in the refrigerator as needed.
- Use within 24 hours after thawing.
Freezing ready-to-feed formula in ice cubes provides convenient small portions. But always discard unused thawed cubes after 24 hours.
Can you refrigerate formula overnight?
Yes, prepared infant formula can and should be refrigerated overnight until needed the next day. Proper overnight refrigeration prevents bacterial growth.
Here are some tips for refrigerating baby formula overnight:
- Prepare a fresh bottle before bedtime to refrigerate.
- Seal the bottle and refrigerate immediately.
- Use the refrigerated bottle within 24 hours.
- Give the bottle a shake or swirl to remix before feeding.
- Quickly warm the formula by holding under warm running water or placing in a bottle warmer.
- Avoid microwaving refrigerated bottles.
- Discard any unused formula after 24 hours.
As long as refrigerated overnight and used within 24 hours, prepared formula will be safe for baby to drink. Proper refrigeration is key.
Does baby formula need to be refrigerated after opening?
After opening, both powdered and ready-to-feed formula should be properly refrigerated. Here are the specific guidelines:
- Powder formula – Once opened, powder must be refrigerated. Replace can liner firmly and store opened can in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Ready-to-feed formula – Once opened, refrigerate ready-to-feed bottles. Use within 48 hours after opening.
Refrigerating opened containers of both types of formula is crucial for limiting bacterial growth. Always discard unfinished bottles rather than returning to the fridge.
Room temperature storage once opened
Here is how long different types of baby formula can be left unrefrigerated once opened:
| Formula Type | Room Temperature Storage |
|---|---|
| Powder | 2 hours |
| Liquid concentrate | 24 hours |
| Ready-to-feed | Up to 4 hours |
To maximize safety and nutritional quality, refrigerate all opened formula as soon as possible. Never leave any type of opened formula unrefrigerated for longer than the times listed above.
Can expired baby formula make a baby sick?
Yes, using expired formula can potentially make a baby sick. Baby formula past its expiration date may have the following risks:
- Loss of nutritional value – Important nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and fats can degrade over time.
- Foodborne illness – Bacteria like Cronobacter sakazakii can grow leading to illness.
- Separation or curdling – Formulas may look abnormal or separated when expired.
- Unpleasant taste and smell – Off aromas, sour taste due to spoilage.
- Upset stomach, gas, diarrhea – Babies may get gastrointestinal distress from spoiled formula.
Formula that is past the manufacturer’s expiration date printed on the packaging should not be used. Consuming expired formula poses avoidable risks to an infant’s health and nutrition.
Safely using expired formula
If you have formula on hand that has recently expired, there may be some options. These include:
- Contacting the formula company to request an extension. Some companies grant extensions past the printed date.
- Donating unopened expired cans to a food bank or charity organization if the company agrees it is still safe.
- Using the expired formula only if your pediatrician evaluates it and says it is okay.
However, if the formula is more than 6-12 months past its expiration date, the only safe option is to discard it so baby does not ingest any spoiled formula.
Does baby formula need to be used by the expiration date?
It is highly recommended to use baby formula before its printed expiration date for optimal safety and nutritional value. However, with unopened containers, it may sometimes be okay to use formula shortly past its date.
The key considerations around expiration dates are:
- Powdered formula – Typically safe for up to 12 months past the printed expiration date if stored properly unopened.
- Liquid concentrate – Use within 1-2 weeks past the printed date.
- Ready-to-feed – Use by the expiration date printed on the bottle.
When assessing if expired formula is still safe, consider storage conditions, the original packaging date, and signs of spoilage. If ever in doubt, obtain an extension from the manufacturer or err on the side of caution and discard.
Safely assessing expired formula
Before giving your baby formula past its expiration date, do the following assessments:
- Contact the manufacturer to see if an extension can be granted.
- Check that the packaging is completely unopened and undamaged.
- Look for any changes in appearance, smell, or texture.
- Determine how long past the date the formula is.
- Get approval from your pediatrician that it appears safe to use.
If there are any concerns about degradation or safety, it is best to discard the formula so baby only consumes formula still within the acceptable shelf life range.
Can you use baby formula after hospital discharge?
Previously, parents were advised to dispose of formula given by the hospital at discharge. However, updated guidelines indicate most ready-to-feed hospital formula can be safely used for up to 24 hours after leaving the hospital if properly handled.
Here are tips for using hospital-provided formula at home:
- Check the exact discharge date and time written on bottles.
- Immediately refrigerate unopened bottles at home.
- Write a 24-hour discard date on opened bottles.
- Look for any signs of spoilage before feeding.
- Discard after 24 hours at home even if unopened.
Having formula conveniently provided by the hospital can be helpful. As long as the formula is used right away at home, it avoids wasting ready-to-feed bottles that can be expensive for parents to buy.
When to discard hospital formula
There are certain situations where hospital-issued formula should be discarded and not used at home:
- The formula is past 24 hours of the hospital discharge date and time.
- The formula shows any signs of spoilage like changes in color or smell.
- The formula was not immediately refrigerated upon arriving home.
- There are concerns about contamination during transport.
- Your pediatrician advises against using the formula at home.
While practical to use hospital formula for the first day or so at home, safety is the priority. When in doubt, discard and use new ready-to-feed bottles purchased at the store.
Conclusion
Due to its perishable ingredients, baby formula does carry a food safety risk if subjected to hot environments or not used by the recommended date. Pay close attention to proper storage temperatures, expiration or use-by dates, and any signs of spoilage.
Discarding formula at the first sign of degradation or possible contamination is crucial. When handled properly and used by the advised dates, both powdered and liquid formula can continue providing the nourishment infant’s need in hot weather.
