Whether you will be breastfeeding/chestfeeding, pumping and feeding human milk, feeding your baby formula, or a combination, postpartum doulas and lactation consultants can offer you some tricks of the trade to make your feeding journey smoother.

When families are feeding their babies with formula, one of the common questions that come up is “How long can a baby's bottle of formula sit out?”

Most families we work with at Bridgetown Baby who use formula, use powdered baby formula prepared with water, as opposed to a premixed, ready-to-use formula type. The premixed liquid formula is shelf stable and can be helpful for feeding on the go; it’s also recommended for families who use untested well water or in areas with a compromised drinking water supply.

Feeding safely with powdered formula starts with safe preparation

When using powdered infant formula, it's a good idea to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the type of formula you’ll be using. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control have additional guidelines for how infant formula should be prepared and stored. 

Formula prepared and stored correctly is safe to use for up to 24 hours

While you can prepare formula bottles for use at home one at a time according to how often your baby eats, many parents who feed their babies formula prefer to mix enough of their baby's formula ahead for an entire day. To do this, consider how many ounces of prepared infant formula your baby drinks per feeding session, multiply that by the number of feedings per day, and then mix formula in a pitcher or prepare individual baby bottles for each feeding according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Label each container with the date and time that the formula was prepared and store the formula in the refrigerator.

If you are preparing your infant's formula for an individual feeding session, that bottle can be stored at room temperature for two hours, or refrigerated for 24 hours if you won’t be using it right away after mixing it.

Use formula and feeding equipment within one hour after starting a feed

Once you’ve begun a feeding session with a formula bottle, the formula in that bottle should be used within one hour from the beginning of that feeding session, to prevent the growth of potentially unhealthy bacteria in the formula that can make your baby sick. If your baby needs to eat again after an hour or more, start by making formula fresh in a clean bottle.

Another way to practice formula safety is to clean feeding equipment, wash it with hot soapy water, and air dry, or put it through the dishwasher if manufacturer recommendations allow. Boiling or microwave sanitizing is generally not necessary.

Key Points:

• Powdered baby formula should be used within 2 hours of preparation or refrigerated immediately

• Once prepared, baby formula can last 24 hours in the fridge

• Formula can last 1 hour at room temperature once feeding starts

• Discard any unused formula after feedings

Your baby's feeding time is an opportunity for bonding and connection that comes up multiple times in a day. With knowledge of the specifics of feeding with formula and how to use formula safely, you can feed with reduced stress, with love - and in good health.

Lactation consultants provide professional, compassionate support for your feeding relationship with your baby, however your baby is being fed. If you have questions at any step along your feeding journey, Bridgetown Baby’s feeding team is ready to walk along side you - and your lactation visits may be covered by insurance! Learn more here, or reach out to our email warmline for a response within 24 hours.