Discard Formula Release For Free

Make bottles a little less tasty. After a few days, slowly add more water and less formula until after several days, the entire bottle is water. (While you should never water down infant formula for babies under a year, it's okay to do after the first birthday!)

You don't have to warm up a bottle of formula (room temperature or even cold from the fridge is just fine). But if you do heat it gently, once you've warmed it, rewarming it isn't recommended, as bacteria thrive in warm places. And when it comes to serving a warmed-up bottle, do so within one hour.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recommends WIC clinics dispose of unused, returned WIC infant formula in ance with state and local health and safety laws. FNS does not recommend donating unused, returned WIC infant formula to entities such as food banks or food pantries. This approach ensures safety.

After 24 hours, toss any you haven't used, because bacteria may have formed. Once you've opened ready-to-feed formula, store it in closed bottles or tightly cover the container and refrigerate it immediately. Discard any that's leftover based on the package directions.

Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii are the bacteria of greatest concern when it comes to infant formula. Food poisoning caused by these bacteria may cause your child to experience diarrhoea. Any made-up infant formula that has not been used and has been kept at room temperature must be thrown away within two hours.

Throw out any infant formula that is left in the bottle after feeding your baby. The combination of infant formula and your baby's saliva can cause bacteria to grow.

If you prepare formula ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator. You can use pre-made formula for up to 24 hours. Open containers of ready-made formula, concentrated formula, and formula prepared from concentrate can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

If made-up formula is stored: in a fridge ? use within 24 hours. in a cool bag with an ice pack ? use within 4 hours. at room temperature ? use within 2 hours.

If your baby starts a bottle but doesn't finish it within an hour, throw the leftover formula away. Bacteria from your baby's mouth can seep into the bottle, contaminate the formula, and make your baby sick if they drink it later.

Accidentally drinking old formula can increase the risk of foodborne illness but it's rare for babies to become ill. If your baby does have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, she should see a doctor immediately.