Shelf life of Nutrilon mixture
Only a pediatrician can select the optimal nutrition option for a child according to his age, weight and health status. The benefit and safety of feeding depends entirely on the parents.
Newborns and children under three years of age are the most vulnerable and unprotected, so their diet needs to be controlled at all stages. When purchasing a product, be sure to check whether its expiration date has expired. Expired formula can worsen the child's health.
The shelf life of Nutrilon mixtures of all types is 18 months from the date of production. The air temperature should be from 0 to + 25°C, and humidity should not exceed 75%. This is if the package is hermetically sealed. Once opened, the product can be stored and used for no more than three weeks.
Many mothers are interested in how and how long the prepared Nutrilon mixture can be stored. Before we talk about this, you need to know how to properly store an opened jar.
Basic storage requirements:
- After each use, the lid must be tightly closed;
- the storage place should be cool and dry;
- You can use the contents of the jar for no more than three weeks;
- the mixture should not be stored next to flour and cereal products to avoid infection by insects;
- The refrigerator is not a suitable place to store baby formula. There it can become damp and absorb microflora and odors from other products.
The manufacturer guarantees the quality and safety of its products only if all preparation and storage requirements are met.
How long does the prepared Nutrilon mixture last?
The manufacturer informs parents on each package that the shelf life of the finished Nutrilon mixture is no more than one hour. That is, you need to prepare food immediately before use, and under no circumstances leave any leftovers for the next meal, but throw them away immediately. In this case, saving is absolutely inappropriate.
The shelf life of the formula does not depend on its type and the age of the children for whom it is intended. The answer to the question how long can the diluted mixture Nutrilon 1, 2, 3 or 4 be stored (labeling on the package 1 - for children from birth to 6 months, 2 - from 6 to 12 months, 3 - from 12 to 18 months, 4 – from 18 to 36 months), will be the same – no more than an hour.
What is regulated
Requirements for smoking mixtures are listed in GOST R 58109-2018 “Liquids for electronic nicotine delivery systems. General technical conditions”, the development of which became news in 2018. It specifies the acceptable composition, packaging, and labeling.
The deadlines are set by the manufacturer.
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Ingredients | Storage period (months) | |||||
Plastic | Glass | Cold | ||||
Before opening | After opening | Before | After | Before | After | |
Nicotine | 17 | 5 | 17 | 5 | Badly | |
Glycerol | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | Badly | |
Flavors | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Badly | |
Propylene glycol | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | Badly | |
Ready mix (factory) | 12-24 | 12-24 | 12-24 | 12-24 | Badly |
Rules for preparing the mixture
It is very important to know not only how long diluted Nutrilon baby formula is stored, but also how to prepare it correctly. You need to use clean, boiled water that has cooled to the desired temperature (about 40°C), and a sterile bottle and pacifier. Dishes must be sterilized before each feeding. In order for the mixture to obtain a uniform consistency, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the proportions of water and powder indicated in the dosage table.
It is not advisable to use a microwave oven to heat baby food, as there is a risk of hot lumps forming. The bottle with the mixture can simply be placed in a container of hot water or in a heating device for a certain time.
Mothers who go on a long walk or visit with their baby do not need to prepare the mixture in advance; its use is limited (1 hour). In case your child gets hungry, you can do the following. Pour the amount of powder required for one feeding into a clean bottle, and pour boiled warm water into a thermos. If necessary, the components are mixed and the child is fed fresh food.
conclusions
When choosing Nutrilon products to feed their baby, mothers often ask the question of how long to store the finished formula. The manufacturer recommends using it within one hour. It is advisable to prepare food immediately before feeding.
It is also important to follow the rules for storing an open jar with the mixture - choose the right place, close the lid tightly and make sure that no more than three weeks have passed after opening the jar.
The manufacturer indicates the specific period for how long diluted infant formula can be stored on the jar. But not everyone takes the warnings seriously. And it’s absolutely in vain - failure to follow the instructions can affect the baby’s well-being and lead to poisoning.
There are many more cases of poisoning of babies with spoiled formula than with food. This is not only a matter of the composition of the products, but also the higher content of live bacteria in industrial food. It’s just that formulas are more often used to feed premature babies, whose immune systems have not yet been formed. Mothers of children with digestive tract problems should be especially attentive to the instructions on the jars.
Why can’t baby formula be stored for a long time?
If the milk formula is kept at room temperature for a long time, then harmful bacteria begin to multiply in it, which can cause bloating, colic, and even intestinal disorders (dysbacteriosis) in the baby. The finished mixture is an excellent breeding ground for the spread of pathogenic bacteria, since it contains a large amount of proteins and fats.
It is also not recommended to reheat formula in the microwave as it may not heat evenly. If, nevertheless, a situation arises when you need to take the milk formula with you for future use, then it is better to do it as follows: pour warm boiled water into a separate thermos, and pour the required amount of the mixture into a bottle in advance. If necessary, all you have to do is add water to it, and the fresh milk mixture will be ready.
Parents should remember that although it is convenient for them to make formula for their baby several feedings in advance, this can have a detrimental effect on him. The child must be given a freshly prepared portion of infant formula. This will avoid excessive stress on the baby’s gastrointestinal tract and poisoning of the body, since improper storage conditions for infant formula contribute to the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Shelf life of diluted mixtures
Without exception, all manufacturers of mixtures, both foreign Nan, Nutrilon, Nestozhen, Similak, and domestic Malyutka, Nutrilak, Agusha and Bellakt (Belarus), do not recommend using an already prepared product after 1 hour of storage at room temperature. And this is approximately 22-23°C, that is, the conditions under which oxidation begins, the development of bacteria in diluted mixtures and dairy products is observed after 20 minutes.
The negative effects of long-term storage do not end there. In the 2000s, through experimental research, it was determined that contact with air not only causes oxidation of breast milk and ready-made formula from any manufacturer, but also affects the content of useful elements in the product. This is especially negative for vitamin C, which dissolves with each repeated contact with air.
The restrictions apply not only to the diluted mixture, but also to the one stored in an open jar. It all depends on the manufacturer - most often it is recommended to use the jar within 3-4 weeks; after the expiration date, throw away the opened product.
Storing food in preschool educational institutions
Nutrition in kindergarten is subject to strict control. The storage conditions for products in preschool educational institutions are regulated by SanPiN 2.4.1.3049-13. This document establishes the requirements for the conditions and rules for storing food in a kindergarten.
Temperature conditions when storing food in preschool educational institutions
In a preschool organization, it is necessary to monitor compliance with the temperature regime in refrigeration equipment on a daily basis. Download the Temperature Monitoring Log here. This log must be kept for 1 year.
Temperature control by preschool employees includes checking:
- serviceability of thermometers (non-mercury thermometers are used for monitoring);
- compliance with the required temperature;
- the presence of a “fur coat” in the freezer;
- maintaining a refrigerator cleaning schedule (once a month or as needed).
SanPiN provides the following requirements for compliance with temperature conditions when storing food in kindergarten :
- salted vegetables are stored at a temperature no higher than plus 10 Cº;
- storage temperature for greens and fruits – no higher than plus 12 Cº;
- fermented milk and other perishable products must be kept before serving for no more than 1 hour at room temperature in a closed consumer package, so that their temperature becomes plus 15 +/- 2 Cº;
- if the vegetables for the salad were boiled in advance, then they can be stored at a temperature of plus 4 +/- 2Cº in a marked container (boiled vegetables) - no more than 6 hours;
- Undressed salads should be stored for no more than 2 hours, and seasoned ones - no more than half an hour, storage temperature - plus 4 +/- 2 Cº;
- Cereals, potatoes and root vegetables, cabbage are stored at a temperature of no more than plus 10 Cº.
Requirements for food storage space in kindergarten
If there is only one refrigeration chamber in the preschool educational institution, then the storage areas for meat, fish and dairy products need to be separated.
Products in refrigerators and freezers should be stored on racks and shelves in manufacturer/supplier containers or in labeled containers.
Food should be stored in the following places:
- cabbage - on separate racks or in chests;
- fruits and greens - in boxes in a cool place;
- milk must be stored in the same container/packaging in which it was brought to the preschool educational institution;
- butter - stored in trays in original containers or in bars wrapped in parchment;
- cheese - for large cheeses, storage should be carried out on racks, and for small cheeses - on shelves in consumer packaging;
- cottage cheese and sour cream - must be placed in a container with a lid;
- eggs should be stored in cool, dry rooms (refrigerator) on shelves or on separate shelves in cassettes;
- cereals, flour, pasta - storage on racks/stands, the distance from the floor should be at least 15 cm, and the distance to the wall should not be less than 20 cm. This product should be located in a dry room in the packaging in which the product was packaged at the factory;
- The bread should be placed separately - rye in one place, wheat in another. It is allowed to store the product in cabinets and on racks. In this case, the bottom shelf must be at least 35 cm from the floor. Special care for such cabinets is also required - crumbs must be removed with special brushes, and the surface must be wiped with a cloth soaked in a 1% solution of table vinegar. Cabinet doors must be equipped with openings for ventilation.
How to properly store the mixture
In fact, protecting your child from poisoning is not so difficult. Mothers should make it a rule to put bottles in the refrigerator every time. The diluted mixture can be stored for 4-6 hours at a temperature of 5-6°C.
If you have to leave home for a long time with your baby, for example, to see a doctor, then you can take the ingredients with you and prepare the food on the spot. Pour the amount of mixture required for one feeding into a sterile container and transfer heated water in a thermos. After all, warming water and diluting the powder at home takes literally a few minutes.
Thus, the shelf life of diluted infant formula depends on the storage conditions. In the room - no more than 1 hour, in the refrigerator - up to 4-6 hours, and this rule applies to all food manufacturers without exception.
There is nothing healthier for a newborn baby than mother's milk. Due to circumstances, women resort to the use of artificial nutrition. Due to illness or a simple lack of breast milk, the baby has to be transferred to dry or liquid formulas based on cow's milk or milk. The properties of such nutrition cannot be compared with the benefits of breastfeeding. However, manufacturers are striving to bring the composition of artificial nutrition components closer to human milk. It is important for young parents to know how to dilute formula for newborns, because the proportional ratio of water and dry matter directly affects the health and well-being of the child.
When thinking about how to properly prepare the mixture, it is important to understand why modern pediatricians often focus the attention of parents on observing the rules of this daily process. If the formula is too thin, the infant will be malnourished. This will have serious consequences for his body. Possible problems that you will encounter if you feed the baby a formula in a lower concentration than prescribed by age are the following:
- frequent waking up and problems sleeping;
- lack of weight gain;
- developmental delay;
- avitaminosis;
- rickets and other diseases.
In certain situations, parents deliberately increase the concentration of dry matter and try to give their baby a nutritious product, not paying attention to the recipe and cooking recommendations. By making the mixture thicker, parents also harm the little one. The concentrated mixture is more difficult for the fragile stomach of a newborn to digest. Overfeeding often provokes:
- colic;
- regurgitation;
- problems with stool;
- metabolic failures;
- the appearance of excess weight, and as a result, disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and the musculoskeletal system.
Compliance with proportions and recommendations is a necessary condition for the baby’s health. You should not be negligent about the recommendations on the packaging. They were developed by manufacturers and pediatricians taking into account the needs of the child’s body in accordance with age characteristics. If the mother complies with the preparation requirements, but the baby continues to express anxiety during food consumption or after feeding, it is better to consult a doctor. The doctor will individually calculate the portion for the child.
Feeding outside the home
The rules for preparing various infant formulas are individual and written on the packaging. You can always “peep” the norms for the ratio of water and dry powder, however, regardless of the manufacturer, the following rules apply for the preparation of liquid nutrition:
- Preparation is carried out in sterile containers, with clean hands. The cleaner the container, the less likely it is that bacteria will get into the finished emulsion. Sterilization is carried out using a special device or by boiling in a hermetically sealed pan. It is recommended to take care of the cleanliness of the dishes in advance.
- For dilution of food, only clean (bottled) boiled water is used. Repeated boiling should not be allowed, otherwise chemical compounds will form in the water that are harmful to the baby.
- The water temperature for the mixture should be above 40°C, but it is better to check its exact value in the instructions.
- The prepared food must be thoroughly shaken for at least 30 seconds, otherwise difficult-to-digest, incompletely dissolved lumps will remain. Some types of mixtures require the presence of small suspended particles; the manufacturer warns about this in the instructions. Then this is normal and there is no need to panic.
- The temperature of the finished mixture should not be higher than body temperature. The most common option for testing suitability is a hand test. You should drop a drop of emulsion onto the skin, and if there is no burning sensation, the food can already be used to feed the baby.
The process is not long or labor intensive, but sometimes it is very difficult to prepare fresh infant formula immediately before consumption. It is impossible to boil water and dilute powder while on the road; It is difficult to cook at night, especially if the baby wakes up every 2-3 hours. This creates the need to prepare baby food for future use.
To prepare a fresh mixture on a walk (during a trip), you need to take with you:
- thermos with boiled water,
- sterile bottle with nipple,
- dry powder in a closed bag.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Artificial formulas for newborns
Modern bottles for feeding babies (they are plastic, glass, silicone) require a special lid. It, of course, to some extent protects the pacifier from germs, but it is better to rinse it with boiling water before feeding your baby.
Detailed cooking instructions
Buy only high quality milk formula for your baby. Trust trusted, well-known manufacturers. The products “Nutrilon”, “Nestozhen”, “Nutrilak”, “Malyutka”, “Nan”, “Similac Premium” and “Bellakt” have proven themselves to be excellent. The shelf life of the product and the features of its storage deserve special attention from parents. When purchasing a new product, make sure that .
The gastrointestinal tract in children is imperfect. The microflora in the intestines is just being formed, so it is important to prevent bacteria and pathogenic microbes from entering the body. Preparing formula for feeding traditionally begins with preparing the dishes:
- the bottle, nipple, and measuring spoon are thoroughly washed immediately after feeding;
- It is possible to use special children's products; an economical option would be to use table soda;
- pay special attention to hard-to-reach places and carvings;
- to clean containers, use a brush and special brushes that will be used exclusively for children’s dishes;
- the bottle and nipple are subject to mandatory sterilization. To do this, boil the accessories or use a sterilizer. When choosing the first method, the boiling container is used only for children's dishes;
You need to prepare the supplies in advance so as not to waste time processing them when a hungry baby asks to eat. Before cooking, mother washes her hands thoroughly with soap and also determines the ratio of water to powder.
The indicators and proportions of different manufacturers are approximately the same, since they are calculated according to the age and weight of the children. The standard is 1 scoop of powder per 30 milliliters of water. The one-time feeding rate is calculated by dividing the daily amount of food by the number of feedings.
Recommendations for preparing the mixture | |||
Age | Number of measuring spoons per 1 feeding | Water volume (ml) | Number of feedings per day |
From 0 to 2 weeks | 3 | 90 | 6–7 |
3–8 weeks | 4 | 120 | 6–7 |
2 months | 5 | 150 | 6 |
3–4 months | 6 | 180 | 5 |
5 months | 7 | 210 | 4–5 |
6 months | 7 | 210 | 3–4 |
The powder is placed in a bottle of water, rather than liquid being poured into a container with a dry workpiece. This will avoid lumps during the dissolution process.
After placing the components, the bottle is closed with a plastic separator, then with a nipple and a protective cap. Shake the contents vigorously until the components are completely mixed.
Don't forget to check the temperature of the liquid before feeding. To do this, place a few drops on the wrist area.
Several important rules for preparing and storing the mixture
There are recommendations regarding what kind of water is best to dilute the mixture. The powder should be diluted with bottled baby water. You don't need to boil it to make the mixture. The liquid is specially designed for feeding babies. If you can’t buy water and have to get it from other sources, be sure to boil it and cool it to room temperature before cooking.
The optimal water temperature in which to dilute baby food powder is 35–36 degrees.
It is very important to think about food preparation if you are going on the road with your baby. Always take water and powder in separate containers. They should only be mixed immediately before feeding. If you are going for a walk in the park, take a thermos bag with you to store prepared warm water. If traveling by train, heating bottled water for cooking is easy. You need to take boiling water made of titanium and put a bottle of water in it. When traveling by car, buy a portable heater that runs from a cigarette lighter.
Night feedings always raise a lot of questions for mothers. The main thing to remember is that you don’t need to do it in advance! It is convenient to prepare the supplies in advance so that you can quickly dilute the powder at night and feed the baby:
- in the evening, measure out the required amount of dry powder;
- prepare a sterile bottle, pour water into it;
- try to keep the liquid warm by using a thermos or an electric heater.
Having prepared everything in advance, you will need a minimum of time to prepare baby food.
You can add dill water to the mixture for bloating in children after consulting a doctor, who will also indicate the required dosage of the drug and the rules for its use. This is an effective natural remedy for colic.
How long does diluted baby formula last?
Often mothers think about how long the formula can be stored, especially if the baby does not eat enough of the prepared portion. Experts note that diluted powder cannot stand for a long time, even in the refrigerator. The recommended storage time is no more than 2–3 hours. Liquid is an excellent environment for the development of microorganisms, so it is better not to skimp, but after feeding, pour out the remainder by rinsing and boiling the bottle.
If you notice that your child is not eating the required amount regularly, try preparing an incomplete portion. This is especially true for mixed-fed babies. Perhaps mother's milk is enough for the baby.
It is worth noting that today there is an alternative to artificial feeding in the form of donor milk banks. Of course, this type of nutrition will not meet all the urgent requirements of the child, because only the mother’s body produces a nutritious fluid that has the unique property of transformation taking into account the needs of her baby. However, this is an excellent option due to the fact that human milk, in terms of the composition of its main elements, is still closer to a child than food (albeit adapted) intended for feeding calves.
When a baby is born into a family, the healthiest food for him is mother's milk. If for some reason breastfeeding is not possible, adapted milk formulas will come to your aid. Modern manufacturers have tried to bring their composition closer to breast milk so that the child receives healthy and fortified nutrition. The main thing when artificial feeding is to entrust the choice of baby formula to a pediatrician; he will be able to tell you which formula is best for your baby, knowing the individual characteristics of his body from birth. Let's talk in more detail about what mixtures manufacturers offer us, how long they can be stored in and outside the refrigerator, how to properly prepare a product for baby food, let's figure it out.
Today formula for artificial feeding is a high-tech food product for young babies. The basis for creating the product is cow's or goat's milk; useful substances, vitamins and microelements are added to it. There are two types of milk formula: dry and liquid. Dry ones are more popular because they are more convenient to store and easy to prepare. All products are manufactured in accordance with the age needs of the child. There are formulas for newborns, for children from six months and one year. There are products that can be used for premature babies and babies with insufficient body weight, for newborns suffering from allergies or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
TOP 5 misconceptions about storing baby formula
Guided by the advice of more experienced mothers, women make a number of mistakes related to storing ready-made infant formula. The most common misconceptions are:
- The manufacturer deliberately underestimates the shelf life of dry and prepared mixtures in order to quickly expire and increase sales. This judgment is incorrect. In the finished, uncooled mixture, bacteria actively develop that can cause digestive upset in the baby. Bacteria can also get into the dry mixture; one of the most dangerous is C. sakazakii - Cronobacter. Its habitats are in dust, on plastic and Teflon dishes. The bacterium is especially dangerous for children under one year of age, as it causes the development of enteritis, meningitis, and sepsis. You can avoid the entry of pathogenic microflora into the body only by following the rules for storing dry and ready-made mixtures.
- Formulas have a shelf life of breast milk. This is wrong. The shelf life of freshly expressed milk at temperatures up to 25°C is 6-8 hours, due to the presence of antibacterial components in it. Artificial food differs in composition and is stored warm for up to 2 hours.
- Nothing will happen to the mixture if it sits in the bag for up to 4 hours. Indeed, at first glance, the mixture may seem suitable for consumption, but its composition will remain unknown. You should not risk the child’s well-being, because the bottle may contain more bacteria than normal. Most nutritional emulsions change consistency and turn sour after prolonged storage.
- If the child has not finished the mixture, it can be placed in the refrigerator and reheated later. This cannot be done, since the food is no longer sterile. Only freshly prepared food in sterile containers can be stored in the refrigerator.
- All baby food has the same expiration date. No, it differs both in composition and storage conditions. But if the box does not indicate how long to store the finished product (which is unlikely), you need to give it to your child within an hour after preparation or no later than 24 hours of storage in the refrigerator.
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Often, an incorrectly selected diet causes lethargy, pain, and painful colic in a child. The mother’s task is, on the doctor’s advice, to select the appropriate mixture and follow the rules for its preparation and storage. As a result, digestion processes will be normal, the baby will be active, well-fed and cheerful.
About the process of preparing the mixture
It is important to use clean, soft water (you can purchase special water for children). Bring it to a boil and let the water cool to a temperature close to 38–40 C°. Pour cooled water into a clean bottle and, using a convenient measuring spoon (they are usually found in every package of formula), pour in as much mixture as the baby can eat in one meal. Close the open box as tightly as possible to prevent air from entering. Screw the cap onto the nipple and shake the mixture until it becomes homogeneous. The powder should dissolve tightly without sediment, flakes or lumps, otherwise it is better not to offer the finished mixture to your baby; most likely, it is spoiled. The most optimal and favorable feeding temperature for a newborn is from 36 to 37 C°, since mother's milk has a similar temperature. The old way to determine the temperature is to drop a couple of drops of the product on a place with thin skin - the wrist or the bend of the arm; if there are no sensations of hot or cold, the temperature is optimal.
Rules for storing the adapted mixture
Whatever mixture you choose, there are general recommendations on how to properly store it.
- It is necessary to store the opened mixture exactly as long as allowed according to the manufacturer’s mark in order to prevent its expiration date.
- The dry product can be stored in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight; it is better not to store it in the refrigerator due to high humidity, and do not place it near the oven.
- It is important that the mother’s hands and the working surface of the table are clean; it is better to sterilize the bottle and pacifier or boil it for at least five minutes.
- When preparing food, add as much powder and water as recommended by the manufacturer.
- It is not recommended to heat the diluted mixture in a microwave oven. Firstly, there is a high risk that the liquid will heat up unevenly, and secondly, heating it in this way can provoke the destruction of nutrients in the diet.
- Offer your baby a freshly prepared bottle; storing adapted food for a long time is unacceptable.
If a child experiences undesirable reactions after consuming artificial feeding - skin rashes, vomiting, repeated regurgitation, colic or bloating, you should contact your pediatrician.
Is it possible to store the finished mixture?
One of the main questions that parents of babies ask pediatricians is whether prepared milk formula can be stored and, if so, for how long?
The general recommendation of pediatricians is to prepare the formula for one feeding and feed the baby with freshly prepared formula immediately after mixing with water.
But such an opportunity is not always available. There are times when the mixture needs to be prepared in advance, since it will not be possible to prepare it for a long time (on a trip, etc.)
How long can the prepared mixture be stored?
The finished product does not have a long shelf life, 1.5 - 2 hours, provided that the child has not touched the food.
The fact is that if the newborn has already applied to the nipple, there is a high probability that the nutrition will spoil very quickly. Residues must be poured out and all containers used must be thoroughly washed after feeding. You can only store prepared food in the refrigerator; room temperature has a detrimental effect on the liquid, and there is a high risk that it will quickly deteriorate. Today, according to research, it is recommended to feed newborns on demand, that is, as often as they want. If no preparation is required for feeding a baby, then an artificial baby cannot be given the same food that he ate an hour ago. The risk of adverse reactions from the gastrointestinal tract and even poisoning is too great.
It is better not to prepare the mixture in advance. If you want to make things easier for yourself when your baby gets hungry, you can boil the dishes in advance, pour water into a thermos, and pour the required amount of dry powder into a bottle with a pacifier. Before feeding, all you have to do is mix the ingredients.
Storage rules
One of the factors influencing the well-being of an infant in the first year of life is the quality of nutrition. Therefore, you should treat this responsibly and not allow the slightest deviation.
It is very convenient to store diluted baby food in a bottle, since this is where the powder is diluted with water. In order for the mixture to be stored longer, it is necessary to carefully sterilize the container, this will reduce the likelihood of the development of bacteria and, as a result, spoilage. It is better to have several bottles - one of them should always be clean, then there will be no difficulties in preparing an additional portion if necessary.
If you need to maintain the food temperature after cooking, you can purchase a special thermal container. It is a small cylindrical bag and has a cavity for placing a container. The filler is a porous material that allows you to keep the mixture warm for up to 2 hours even in the cold season. Additional benefits of storing in a thermal container include protecting the bottle from contamination and damage.
The question of how long you can store diluted baby formula is often asked by young parents. Typically, the product packaging contains detailed instructions for its use. Each manufacturer has its own requirements for storage and manufacturing rules. But all pediatricians advise feeding your child exclusively freshly prepared food. Therefore, the most correct thing is to prepare the mixture for one feeding so that you do not have to store it.
In situations where in the near future it will not be possible to dilute the powder with boiled water, you will need to organize storage of the finished mixture. After preparation, you can store baby formula outside the refrigerator for no more than 4 hours. At temperatures up to 4°C, theoretically the product will retain quality for up to 30 hours. But giving such a treat to a baby is not recommended.
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This data applies only to those cases when containers with baby food are tightly sealed with sterile lids, and the baby did not eat directly from there.
If the baby is fed from a container where the formula is stored, it will quickly deteriorate due to the development of pathogenic microorganisms that are contained in the saliva of any person, even the smallest.
On the road, a refrigerator bag will help you store formula for feeding your baby for several hours. The food will keep for a sufficient amount of time, provided that the bag is not opened too often, creating temperature changes. For the same reason, the finished product is not kept on the door of a stationary refrigerator.
Strict adherence to storage rules will help to avoid negative reactions of the child’s body. At the same time, it is very important to store baby formula at the correct temperature. The second important factor is the use of sterile containers with tight-fitting lids.
If the finished mixture comes into contact with the baby's saliva, its further storage will not guarantee the quality of the product.
The storage temperature of ready-made milk formula for feeding a child should not exceed 5°C - 7°C. You can leave it in such conditions for only a few hours. Those wondering how to keep the mixture warm should consider purchasing an insulated bag. It can maintain the temperature at a certain level, which is very convenient for storing baby food.
Note to moms
You already know that in the finished product for artificial feeding of children, dangerous bacteria tend to multiply quickly. We bring to your attention some useful tips, following which you can protect your baby from eating spoiled or stale food. Utensils necessary for feeding formula-fed children:
- 3-4 bottles, the nipples of which can be closed with a cap;
- thermos – container for baby food;
- cooler bag for walking and leaving the house;
- water heater for baby food.
Place the freshly prepared product in the refrigerator; some people find it convenient to pour the contents right away or store it in a measuring cup, reheating it as much as necessary. The baby's new dishes must be boiled for at least 30 minutes to prevent foreign substances from entering the child's body. We leave the clean dishes on the table, covering the top with a sterile bandage or gauze. For long walks or trips to the clinic, take with you a regular thermos with boiling water poured into it. Regardless of where you are, at any time you will feed your child, and the food will be fresh, which means healthy and safe. In a refrigerator bag you can store a container with a ready-to-use mixture; for this it is better to have a small electric heater that will prepare the food by heating it to the required temperature.
Shelf life of mixtures from different manufacturers
The most popular baby food manufacturers recommend the following shelf life for dry formulas:
- Nutrilon guarantees the quality of its products for 3 to 4 weeks after opening the can. The ready-to-use mixture should be used within 1 hour;
- “Nan” - in closed form - up to 1 month, and in the form of a ready-made mixture - 1 - 2 hours at +15°C - +20°C;
- "Similac" - 2.5 weeks after opening the package without refrigeration, at a humidity of 70%. Ready-made – 1.5 hours;
- “Nanny” - up to 1 month in a closed container, 2 hours when ready on the refrigerator shelf;
- "Nestozhen" - 25 - 30 days in powder form, 3 hours in the form of a ready-made mixture.
All parents whose children are mixed or bottle-fed need to know exactly the shelf life of dry and ready-made formulas. This will help keep the baby healthy and save the family from possible problems.
Remember! The microwave is not considered a good way to warm up baby food.
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Why is long-term storage of the mixture not recommended?
We have already talked above about how and how much, it is recommended to store adapted food for bottle-fed children. Expiration dates are indicated on the packaging of any mixture, but they inexorably decrease as soon as you open the pack. Dry fortified powder has an environment favorable for the development of pathogens and harmful microorganisms. Some, after the child had not eaten enough of the contents of the bottle at one meal, boiled the prepared food and re-offered it to the baby, some poured the unfinished part into a clean bottle, putting it in the refrigerator until needed. Even taking into account the fact that adapted powders are quite expensive, it is better not to resort to such dangerous methods. After all, the health, vigor and good mood of a child are priceless. The safe period for consuming food that has already been diluted in water and left in the refrigerator should not exceed 24 hours. All bottles with nipples must be hermetically sealed with special caps or sterile bandages or gauze.
Even if you have observed all the hygienic conditions for storing the finished product, it is better to scald the pacifier with boiling water before giving the baby food.
Can the mixture be stored in the refrigerator?
Nutrilon mixture from birth. The baby is 2 weeks old, can the prepared formula be stored in the refrigerator? or prepare it every time? at least for the night. There is nothing written on the can.
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Nikulina Marina
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Do you properly preserve and store your products?
Of course, this is very important because your health may suffer.
43.9%
No, what could happen besides diarrhea?
23.58%
We store it as it turns out, we don’t really think about how and what is right.
32.52%
Voted: 123
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In general, the finished mixture is not stored. it must be prepared before feeding. They chatted it in a bottle, cooled it in a cup of cold water and that’s it. Business for 5-7 minutes.
Each mixture is stored differently. Some take 3 hours, and some can be kept in the refrigerator for a day. It says exactly what it says on the jar on Nutrilone, I remember. As a last resort, the bank has a toll-free hotline number, they respond wonderfully, I called sometimes.
some are prepared for 24 hours - and in the refrigerator. just keep in mind that you only need to reheat it once. We do this: hot and cold water in thermoses, you can always prepare fresh water in 20 seconds. If you don’t finish something, put it in the refrigerator. Next time we'll dilute the hot with cold. very comfortably.
Keeps out of the refrigerator for an hour.
It's better not to store it. I do this at night. I pour the required amount of boiling water into a sterilized bottle; when I need to feed, the water is heated in the microwave to the desired temperature and the mixture is diluted. Takes less than a minute. True, our mixture is NAS, it needs to be diluted in water at 37 degrees, so there is no need to cool it later. I don’t know about Nutrilon.
It's better not to store it. I do this at night. I pour the required amount of boiling water into a sterilized bottle; when I need to feed, the water is heated in the microwave to the desired temperature and the mixture is diluted. Takes less than a minute. True, our mixture is NAS, it needs to be diluted in water at 37 degrees, so there is no need to cool it later. I don’t know about Nutrilon.
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some are prepared for 24 hours - and in the refrigerator. just keep in mind that you only need to reheat it once. We do this: hot and cold water in thermoses, you can always prepare fresh water in 20 seconds. If you don’t finish something, put it in the refrigerator. Next time we'll dilute the hot with cold. very comfortably.
Storing ready-made infant formula
You need to be even more careful when storing the already diluted mixture.
Of course, any pediatrician will give the right advice: “Do not store ready-made food, dilute the mixture immediately before feeding.”
. In a warm nutritious drink, bacteria can quickly multiply, which is dangerous for the child’s intestines. However, situations are different, so in exceptional cases it is allowed to store prepared food for no more than 1-1.5 hours at room temperature (not higher than 25 degrees Celsius).
- The diluted mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day, but only if the bottle is hermetically sealed with a sterile cap. This is only permissible if the baby has not yet eaten from a bottle.
- If the child has eaten a little, but the formula is still left, you should not store it - it becomes potentially dangerous for the baby.
Many mothers have a natural question: what to do on the road, in the clinic, or on a long walk? What to do if you know that your baby wants to eat out? In such a situation, take a sterile bottle, pour the amount of mixture required for one feeding into it, and pour warm water into the thermos. When the baby is hungry, add water to the powder, stir well and feed the baby!
How to prepare the mixture
Mixtures are instant (requiring dilution in water) and liquid, ready-to-use. Liquid mixtures are usually packaged in small bags, which are opened immediately before use and, after opening, are stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. The mixture from the bag is poured into a bottle, heated to a temperature of 37ºC and fed to the baby. Dry formulas are diluted immediately before feeding. To dilute the mixture, you can use boiled filtered or special baby water. It is heated to a temperature of 37ºC, poured into a clean bottle and the required amount of the mixture is poured; The proportion is indicated on the jar with the mixture. Typically, 1 scoop of mixture is required per 30 ml of water, but there may be exceptions. The recommendations for proportions indicated on the jar with the mixture must be strictly followed so that the mixture turns out to be the desired concentration. If the saturation is less, the child will be hungry; if the saturation is too high, it is dangerous for the functioning of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
Close the bottle, shake it, wait until the dry powder dissolves, and feed the baby. It is not recommended to store the diluted mixture for a long time. As long as the mixture has not cooled down, it can be used; reheating the mixture is not advisable.
If the baby eats at night (and this is a natural need for children of the 1st year of life), then it is not advisable to prepare the mixture in the evening. It is better to fill the thermos with water at the required temperature (37-38ºС) in advance, and at night simply pour it into a bottle and add the mixture.
When you give formula to your baby, you need to hold the bottle so that the nipple is completely filled with liquid, otherwise air will get into the baby's stomach, which will cause colic.
Warm up the mixture
The mixture can be heated in special thermostats for heating bottles, where the desired temperature is set, or by placing the bottle with the mixture under hot water. Before offering food to your child, you need to check the degree of heating of the mixture so as not to burn the baby. To do this, drop a few drops of the mixture onto your inner forearm. The mixture should be warm, but not hot. If the child has not eaten the entire volume, then reusing the mixture is not allowed.