Infant formula is a complex food, and producing it requires stringent requirements be met for quality and safety. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for how to prepare and use formula is important to maintain its integrity and quality. The manufacturer guidelines are built into each bottle’s instructions in the form of a ‘use-by’ date and storage instructions.
Infant formulas contain vital nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nucleotides, et cetera, which are essential for the healthy growth and development of young babies. It also contains essential fatty acids important for brain and eye development, and too little of these can significantly reduce a baby’s health.
Incorrect preparation, storage, and use of formula can risk contamination of the formula and consequent microbial growth, ruining the nutritional value of the formula. Expired or improperly stored formula can also become contaminated with harmful bacteria, leading to digestive illnesses in the infant.
One of the most common questions posed by parents is ‘How long is formula milk good after you make it?’ The answer is simple; it depends on the type of formula and how it is managed in the home. Many experts advise to only prepare the amount of formula that can be consumed immediately. Any remaining formula should be discarded to minimize the risk of microbial contamination.
Manufacturers of infant formula recommend that pre-mixed formula should be used within 2 hours after preparation, or within 24 hours if it is kept in a refrigerator. Any unused formula that has been prepared using hot water should be discarded after 1 hour, as it is highly prone to contamination.
For safety and quality reasons, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when preparing and storing formula and to not prepare formula ahead of time and store it for later use. Even when parents are out and about, they can maintain their baby’s health by having clean water and enough formula to prepare a fresh batch with minimal effort.
Packaged Formulas: Expiry Dates
Another common question related to formula is ‘When does formula expire?’ Manufacturers advice is to never use any formula and infant formula after its ‘use-by’ date. This date is printed on the bottle and should not be exceeded. Read the instructions carefully to make sure you discard any unused formula after the expiry date.
When a baby is particularly fussy and does not finish all of the formula in a single serving, it’s best to discard all remaining formula, as it may have been contaminated. If a bottle warmer is used, lukewarm formula should be kept no longer than 2 hours. Formula that was not heated should be discarded after 1 hour.
In cases where a family has several babies that feed from the same container of formula, it’s important to discard all remaining formula right away after each feed. This minimizes the possibility of contamination.
Additionally, mothers can consider changing brands of formula to reduce health risks. It’s also important to know when a baby’s growth and nutritional needs have changed and to adjust the type of formula used according to the baby’s age.
Most importantly, mothers should consult with their doctor for advice in regards to which formula is best for their baby and how to use it correctly.
Storage of Formula
It’s also important to know the proper storage requirements for baby formula. Infant formula should be stored in a cool, dry place, and away from direct sunlight. Refrigerating the formula is necessary upon opening the container for powdered formula or when mixing liquid formula with additional liquid.
According to manufacturers, Li Zhu and Nataša Tušar, it’s important to store liquid formula at temperatures ranging from 2°C to 7°C significant changes in composition and quality can occur when it’s stored at temperatures above 20°.
Thus, when carrying a bottle while travelling, it should be kept in a cool bag with a frozen gel pack. Additionally, manufacturers strongly advise parents to not store any baby bottle for feeding in a microwave.
Freezing opened formula bottles is not recommended, as freezing can cause a significant increase in microbial activity. After thawing, any unused formula should be discarded. Powdered formula should be stored for only a short time, as it is also prone to spoilage.
Cleaning and Sterilizing Baby Feeding Accessories
Proper cleaning and sterilizing of baby feeding utensils, including bottles, nipples, and teats, is essential for the well-being and safety of infants. Cleaning helps to remove any visible residue or foreign matter from the outside of bottles.
Sterilizing baby feeding accessories facilitates the total elimination of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, spores, and viruses.
Sanitizing agents such as bleach work especially well for sterilizing baby feeding accessories. The best way to sterilize is by immersion in a solution of 5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite for 30 to 60 minutes. Boiling bottles in water is also effective for sterilization, however it’s important to remember to use fresh water and to discard any remaining water after use.
Sterilizing baby feeding items is especially important during the first 3 months of an infant’s life, or in cases where the infant has a weak immune system. Additionally, it’s important to combine sterilization with proper hygiene measures such as hand-washing.
The Risks of Overfeeding
Formula feeding can be beneficial to babies as it meets all of their nutritional needs, and when done correctly, it is safe and economical. However, when done incorrectly, overfeeding can occur when the baby is fed using a bottle.
Overfeeding is when a baby is fed more formula than they need, or when a formula with higher protein content is used to feed a baby with normal growth rates. This can cause dehydration, weight gain, digestive disorders, and can also increase the risk of obesity later in life.
It’s important to follow manufacturer guidelines for correct preparation and use, as well as to follow the advice of doctors and nutritionists. This will ensure that the baby’s formula is safe and the formula feeding methods are appropriate for the baby’s developmental needs.
Holistic Approaches to Formula Feeding
Overall, parents who formula feed have a lot to consider when it comes to the safety and welfare of their infant. Varying advice from healthcare professionals, family, and friends can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and confused.
Alternatively, taking a holistic approach to formula feeding involves a combination of trusted evidence-based advice with parental intuition and understanding. It also means taking a flexible, open-minded, and patient approach, while paying attention to physical and emotional cues from the baby.
Whenever parents formula feed, educating themselves on best practices and following manufacturer guidelines can help them to minimize risks and prevent any potential problems.
Nutrition Requirements for Formula-fed Infants
Generally, formula-fed babies have higher requirements for iron and proteins than breastfed infants. Additionally, they have increased gastrointestinal demands due to the more highly processed formula in comparison to breastmilk.
Therefore, infants that are fed formula require additional iron supplementation in their diets. Iron has a high role in physical and mental development, and babies should receive it during the first six months of life to ensure that their cognitive and physical development is not compromised.
Additionally, parents should take care to make sure that their formula-fed baby has all the necessary minerals and vitamins, such as calcium, zinc, vitamin D, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Vitamins and minerals can be provided with multi-nutrient supplements that are designed for babies.
Dietitian and nutrition experts Cairrarang and Brown point
