Unfortunately, once formula has been warmed up or reaches room temperature, it is not safe to re-refrigerate it. This is because bacteria can start to multiply and grow rapidly in the formula when it is at room temperature or higher. These bacteria could potentially make your baby sick if they consume the formula.
It is important to follow the guidelines set by experts, which state that once a bottle of formula has been prepared or taken out of the fridge for feeding, it should be used within 1 hour. After that hour has passed, it is recommended to discard any remaining formula.
I understand that it can be frustrating to waste formula, especially if your baby doesn’t finish a bottle. However, the risk of bacterial growth and potential illness outweighs the inconvenience of discarding unused formula.
Personally, I have been in situations where my baby didn’t finish a bottle of formula and I debated whether to refrigerate it or not. However, I always erred on the side of caution and discarded any remaining formula after the recommended time frame. It gave me peace of mind knowing that I was prioritizing my baby’s health and safety.
To avoid wasting formula, it can be helpful to prepare smaller bottles or use pre-measured formula packets or containers. This way, you can make just enough formula for each feeding and minimize the amount of unused formula that needs to be thrown away.
It is not safe to refrigerate formula after it has been warmed up or reaches room temperature. Bacteria can grow rapidly in formula that is not properly stored, potentially causing illness in your baby. It is important to follow the guidelines and discard any unused formula after 1 hour to ensure your baby’s health and safety.