Your baby will not always finish their formula. Keeping it will increase the risk of contamination due to harmful bacteria. Knowing how to store and reuse the formula will save you money and ensure your baby’s health is preserved. This article will look at how you can reheat the formula. Powdered infant formula is a great alternative to breast milk.
Can you Reheat formula?
You can reheat unused formula in a microwave oven. The best way to do this is using a glass bottle with a screw-top lid. This will prevent the milk from splashing when heating up. Also, make sure that the bottle is clean before heating it. You can heat the bottle on the stovetop or use a double boiler. However, if you use a bottle for other purposes, such as storing food, you should be careful about what temperature you heat. If you heat it too high, the plastic may melt, which could cause a leak.
How To Safely Store Formula For Later Use
When you have finished feeding your baby, keep the bottle in a cool place until needed again. Make sure that the bottle does not get warm before you need it. It is recommended that you keep the bottle in the refrigerator. This will help preserve its nutritional value.
Reusing Formula
If you want to reuse your formula, remember to discard any remaining liquid after each feed. Do not pour out the entire contents of the bottle. Instead, put the remainder into another container. After all, feeds are complete, empty the second container and add fresh formula.
If you plan to keep the unused portion of the formula, you should refrigerate it immediately. Otherwise, it will spoil quickly.
Reheating in a bottle warmer
If you plan to heat the infant formula in a bottle warmer, ensure that the water has been boiled first. Then, remove the cap and let the bottle stand upright for 10 minutes. Next, turn the bottle upside down and gently shake it so the air bubbles rise to the top. Finally, replace the cap and leave the bottle standing upright for 5 minutes more.
Once the bottle is ready, remove the cap and carefully pour the warm water through the nipple. Replace the cap and wait for the baby to drink. Ensure that the baby bottles are at a safe temperature when given to the child.
Reheating bottle from a refrigerator
To reheat formula from a refrigerator, simply remove the cap and shake the bottle gently. Then, reattach the cap and let the bottle sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Once the time has passed, shake the bottle again and replace the cap.
Reheating on stovetop
First, boil water in a saucepan to reheat the formula on the stovetop. Next, carefully transfer the boiling water to a glass jar. Add the formula to the jar and cover tightly. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Finally, remove the lid and stir well. Replace the lid and serve.
Reheating in a double boiler
A double boiler is similar to a regular pot with an insert. When heated, the bottom part of the pot heats up while the top part remains cold. Therefore, you can safely heat the formula without burning yourself. Simply fill the bottom half of the double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer. Carefully lower the bottle of formula into the hot water. Cover the top half of the double boiler and continue to cook the formula for 10 minutes. Once done, remove the bottle from the double boiler and enjoy!
Reheating in a microwave
You can also reheat formula in a microwave. First, open the bottle and remove the cap. Pour the formula into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the formula for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture thoroughly, then repeat the process. Continue microwaving the formula for 1-minute increments until it reaches the desired consistency.
Tips & Warnings
- Make sure that the bottle is completely dry before heating it. If still some moisture is left, it might explode during the heating process.
- Don’t heat the bottle above 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
- Never heat the bottle above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) because it could break.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when heating formula.
- Never leave the bottle unattended when heating it.
- Never heat the bottle directly on a burner or other source of heat.
- Do not use aluminum bottles when heating formula. Aluminum bottles may react with the formula and cause it to discolor.
- Use only clean containers when storing and heating formula.
- Use only clean utensils when preparing formula.
- Avoid using plastic containers as they may leach chemicals into the formula.
- Store opened bottles of formula in the refrigerator.
- Keep formula away from children and pets.
How to ensure that it isn’t too hot for the baby to drink?
If your baby is old enough to be drinking from a cup, you should be able to tell if the formula is too hot by looking at his lips. If he starts licking them, it means the formula is too hot. You should take action immediately to prevent burns.
Back of hand test
Test the warmth of the formula feed on the back of your hand. The formula should feel warm but not hot. If it feels too hot, wait a few moments and try again. You can also use a thermometer to check the temperature. The ideal temperature is between 105°F and 110°F (41°C and 43°C). You don’t want it any higher than that. If in doubt, better lower than higher.
How Many Times Can You Reheat Formula?
It is safe to reheat the prepared formula three times. Each time you reheat the formula, wait 10 minutes between uses.
What Temperature Should You Heat Up Formula At?
The ideal temperature to heat up formula is 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). When heated this high, the protein in the formula will remain intact. However, the protein will denature if you heat it at a lower temperature. Denaturation means that the protein structure is altered. This causes the protein to lose some of its functionality.
Can You Freeze Baby Formula?
Yes, you can freeze baby formula. Just follow these simple steps:
- Remove the label from the bottle.
- Pour off the excess water.
- Place the bottle in an airtight container.
- Put the container in the freezer.
- Let the bottle thaw overnight.
- Shake the bottle well before serving.
- Serve the frozen formula straight from the bottle.