How long can formula be left out, once it's made?

Question

when i was in the hospital when my daughter was born, the nurse told me that even though it says on the bottle- discard after 1 hour- that you don't really have to, the manufacturers just put that on there to be safe. but what she didnt tell me, was how long you can actually leave out a bottle of formula. my daughter is now 9 weeks old, and i haven't given her a bottle after it's been sitting out for more than 2 hours, but i'm just curious. she's on enfamil gentlease, which has 1/5 the lactose of standard formula, so does that make a difference in how long i can leave it out?

Answer 1

It says on the can how long it can be left out. I pre-fill my bottles with the desired amount of water and put them in the fridge. I also scoop out my formula for the day and put them in the containers that I keep in my diaper bag. It makes getting a bottle together much faster so I can get it to my baby before she starts crying.  

Answer 2

It should actually say on the container.

If she had fed from the bottle then yes, it needs to be thrown out after one hour.  If it is simply made and not used, then it can be in the fridge for up to I think 24 hours.  The key is if she has eaten from it or not.

Answer 3

I would listen to the hour thing just to be safe...especially when it's hot out.

Answer 4

Just 'cause she's a nurse doesn't mean she's clean or even knows all the answers.  Ew!  Toss it out after an hour and make that baby a fresh bottle! :)

Answer 5

Would you drink a glass on milk that had been out for 2 hours?  1 hour?  It's the same with formula.

Answer 6

dont leave it out long...its best to put it int he fridge:)

Answer 7

yeah i was told by my daughter doctor to not give it to her if it has been sitting out for more then 2 hours, BUT if she only drank half of it that i could put it in the fridge and there it would be good for up to 24 hours. I hope this helped good luck!

Answer 8

i asked ruby's pediatrician this question, and she said 2 hours unless it is in the sun, in which case 45 minutes to an hour.