Can you reheat a formula bottle?

Kathi - posted on 06/14/2012

We make different amounts of powdered formula in bottles for our baby. We do 2 and 3 ounces right now for our 2 week old depending on whether it's for a full feeding or supplementing after BF. I find that it helps to not waste so much! And I have finally convinced my mom that any leftovers must be discarded after an hour and to not bother refrigerating the bottle again once baby has started feeding with it.

Jaime - posted on 06/12/2012

Start at 2oz. Make more as he needs more.

Not to raise a fire-- but formula is basically inert rocket fuel-- please don't reheat it.
You can buy powdered formula, which I assure you is just as good as premixed and
far more economical.

Proud - posted on 01/10/2012

Nope, once you re-heat the enzymes are broken down. Plus bacteria begins to form within an hour.

I'd rather waste a little formula then put my child at risk and end up with a Dr bill.

Madison is 14 months and on Pediasure (Dr prescribed) it's $12.00 for a 6 pack. She drinks (3) 6 packs a week.
I have had to throw 2 or 3 ounces away because she decided that instead of her normal 4 oz. that she also wants an ounce or 2.

Sandy - posted on 07/29/2011

yes you can reheat formula; if i remember correctly from my first one, i think they told me not to reheat anymore than 3 x tops though..

Jillian - posted on 08/06/2010

within the first hour yes... after that no. because of the rate at which bacteria can grow in the bottle after saliva has been introdused. try smaller 1 or 2 oz at a time. maybe a pain to keep making small portions, but a $ saver in the end. You can also make a pitcher for the day and warm the milk as he wants it. the premix you make is good for 24 hours in the fridge. good luck!

Eronne - posted on 08/03/2010

You know the old joke about cleaning the pacifier - 1st child its boiled, 2nd child its rinsed and 3rd child its wiped on your sleeve. That may be an exaggeration but we certainly are concerned about a sterile environment for our babies and toddlers. I did have to laugh after getting lectured about letting my daughter put her spoon in her mouth after it fell on the floor. I felt ashamed until she toddled off into the backyard to fill her mouth with dirt and whatever else was left in the garden by animals. Look around, we are a successful species (6 billion?) I have to disagree with most moms here. I think that we are sometimes overzealous in our quest to eliminate all bacteria - help out his immune system, give him a little challenge.

Karen - posted on 08/03/2010

Once your son has drank some of the bottle, bacteria from his mouth will be in the remaining formula, so reheating the bottle can be unsafe. Try giving him small amounts at a time.

Janet - posted on 08/03/2010

I never reheat a bottle after it's been out.I always started a new .one. Because its like leaving milk out for us and you know it is not good.It's Commensense

Kristen - posted on 08/02/2010

ok hun for one how old is your little one if he is older than 3 to four months you can start just giving it to him at room temp for two my daughter is 5 months and mom mother sad i could let it set for up to two hours after she eats if its longer then it could give them thrush which makes it really hard for them to eat. i wouldnt reconmend reheating but room temp is not bad

Lika - posted on 08/01/2010

Cody, enzymes are proteins in the formula, that after they're drank, it breaks down into other items that help your baby digest the vitamins and minerals in the formula. The reason why it's so important, is since formula is man-made, not natural like breast milk, it's highly important that all is in place so your baby can get maximum benefit of the nutrition in the formula. Without it, it can cause gas, be too hard to digest, etc, or even simple saliva can break it down, rendering the stuff like empty calories.

Lika - posted on 08/01/2010

If it is within 2 hours, then that would be fine. After that, just like regular food, toss it. Also, never heat up in a microwave. The waves that heat break the formula down. Always heat by running under warm water.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/01/2010

I didn't know what Farex was, so I looked it up. lol. You should not reheat bottles because of bacteria, loss of enzymes, etc. If your son is not drinking all of his bottle I would recomend making smaller portions for him. My son was never a full bottle drinker. He would just drink a few ounces here and there so we only make 4oz bottles for him.
I don't know if you do this or not, but I would make sure that when you give your baby his Farex that you don't give it to him in a bottle. I know a lot of mothers (my mother-in-law included) will tell you that it's okay to give rice cereal in bottles and for you to just make the nipple hole bigger. My pediatrican told me that if you give your baby rice cereal in a bottle that it's a choking hazard. Just a little fyi. :)
Enzymes are natural in breastmilk, they help your baby digest better. Most formulas are now fortified with enzymes and other things that were previously only available in breastmilk. (DHA, Enzymes)

Shannon - posted on 08/01/2010

Bottles are good for one hour once they have been heated or once the baby has started drinking from it. After that, it's not safe as bacteria could be lingering in the bottle or on the nipple. Try making fewer ounces at a time and if it means that after 2 or 3 ounces, you have to go make more, that's better than wasting 5 or 6 ounces. We went through that with my son when he was a baby and we would just give him 4 ounces to start and then if he wanted more then we would make him more.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/01/2010

I don't know what farex is but every formula out there is a potentially hazardous food due to what is in it. Don't save the bottle or reheat it. The bottle can be held for one hour but after that it must be thrown away.

Bridget - posted on 07/31/2010

If your bub has started drinking from the bottle then definitely do not reheat the formula bottle to give it to him - bacteria breed really quickly in formula (the bacteria comes from bubs mouth) and can make your little one very sick. Once a bub has started drinking the bottle has an hour to be drunk - after this time it should be discarded. Bubs go through fazes like this and sometimes will drink all their bottles and other times only drink a little - I hate to say but a lot of milk gets wasted but it's better than bub getting sick! If your bub is having farex then he will definitely drink less formula - use the formula to make up the farex.

Irene - posted on 07/31/2010

if you meant re-heating the remaining milk after a feed, i don't think it is advisable. remaining milk after a feed must be discarded. you can look up on the internet for more advise and info regarding bottle-feeding and milk formulas

CODY-RENEE - posted on 07/31/2010

thank you, but what are the enzymes.. i've herd of them but don't know what they are for why they are in the formula..?

Julie - posted on 07/30/2010

no you cannot reheat a formula bottle.

the enzymes will have been broken down

Bridget - posted on 07/31/2010

If your bub has started drinking from the bottle then definitely do not reheat the formula bottle to give it to him - bacteria breed really quickly in formula (the bacteria comes from bubs mouth) and can make your little one very sick. Once a bub has started drinking the bottle has an hour to be drunk - after this time it should be discarded. Bubs go through fazes like this and sometimes will drink all their bottles and other times only drink a little - I hate to say but a lot of milk gets wasted but it's better than bub getting sick! If your bub is having farex then he will definitely drink less formula - use the formula to make up the farex.

Julie - posted on 07/30/2010

no you cannot reheat a formula bottle.

the enzymes will have been broken down