How to store baby formula in dry form and immediately after dilution, expiration dates by manufacturer

How to store powdered milk formula

On a separate shelf. If your baby is bottle-fed or mixed-fed, it is worth dedicating a separate shelf in the kitchen cabinet - or at least a significant part of it - for storing packages of baby food and utensils for preparing it. This way you will have everything in one place and always at hand, and the mixture will not come into contact with other products and substances.
In a cool, dry place. The dry product is sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, so you should not put the whole or opened package in the refrigerator. Due to increased humidity, condensation will appear on the walls of the package and lumps will form in the mixture. You also need to keep the mixture away from the stove, microwave or oven, sink, and direct sunlight. The optimal temperature is room temperature, not higher than +25.
Don't overspray. It is better to keep the dry mixture in its original packaging, with the flap of the cardboard box closed. This way, the dry mixture will have less contact with oxygen, which means oxidation, which causes the product to deteriorate, will proceed more slowly. In addition, not all containers can be sterilized before pouring dry baby food into it. And on the surface of even clean, in our opinion, dishes, there are enough pathogenic microbes that will actively multiply in such an excellent nutrient medium as milk formula. And even more so, you should not mix the leftovers from the previous pack with the powder mixture from the new one or pour the fresh mixture into the jar where the previous one was stored. Convenience and savings are good, but the baby’s health is much more important.
Sign when it was opened. An opened package can be stored for no longer than 3-4 weeks. The manufacturer always indicates the specific period on the packaging. In order not to forget exactly when you opened a new pack, make it a rule to write the date directly on the box or put a sticker indicating when the package was opened. Of course, most often the pack ends in a few days and there is no need to store it for weeks. But sometimes this information can be useful: for example, if a child is mixed-fed and the formula goes a little, if you forgot about the package you started and opened a new one. You cannot use mixture from a package that has been opened longer than the time allowed by the manufacturer. Even if the appearance, smell and even taste have not changed, this product is already dangerous for an infant whose immune and digestive systems are still immature.

Shelf life of powdered infant formula

The shelf life of powdered infant formula in intact original packaging is usually 1.5 years. Be sure to check that it has not expired when you buy baby food.

Stores, of course, are obliged to ensure that expired products are not on the shelves, but your child will have to eat this mixture, so always control this moment.

The expiration date is not set arbitrarily. The manufacturer installs it after careful testing and can guarantee that if properly stored throughout the entire stated period, the infant formula will be safe and retain all its properties. That is, if you see that there are three days left before the expiration date, and your baby can finish a pack of formula in five, then it is better to look for a fresher product. But if there are several weeks before the specified date, and even more so 2-3 months, then rest assured that the taste, smell and consistency of this mixture will be exactly the same as the one that just came off the assembly line.

After the expiration date, the mixture should be thrown away. Of course, it will not deteriorate immediately as soon as the last seconds of the day are over, but you can only find out exactly when this will happen experimentally. Considering that the health of the child is at stake, conducting such experiments is unacceptable.

Factory

In closed containers, products can last for several years. The most well-known manufacturers have established the following expiration dates for their products:

18 months – Nutrilon Comfort, Nan Optipro, Nutrilak, Hipp, Malyutka.
24 months – Frisolak, Nestozhen, Frisovo, Bellakt, Similak Premium.
3 years – Nanny.

Recommended storage conditions in sealed packaging: temperature range from 0 to +25°C, relative humidity no more than 75%.

Opened

The vast majority of manufacturers set the shelf life after opening the package to no more than 3-4 weeks. From the point of view of economy, it is more profitable to take brands with a shelf life of 1 month for open containers: during this time you can manage to use up all the contents of the box. However, it should be remembered that the vitamins, minerals and other beneficial elements contained in the composition are destroyed when in contact with air. In this regard, the nutritional value in the opened container gradually decreases.

What do the deadlines depend on?

The composition of the adapted mixture includes a number of important micro- and macroelements, vitamins, and minerals that the newborn’s body so needs. These components help the correct formation and development of all internal organs and systems of the baby. But, as you know, many vitamins can be destroyed if storage rules are not followed and if they are exposed to ultraviolet rays.

In addition to these facts, various pathogens and bacteria pose a direct threat: a dairy product can become an excellent environment for their reproduction.

Based on these data, the manufacturer sets the expiration date, guaranteeing the quality and safety of the product only if all the necessary requirements specified in the annotation are met.

Where should I keep the jar with the mixture?

The sealed container of the mixture can be stored at room temperature and normal humidity. If the jar has already been opened and is being used for its intended purpose, then it is better to move it to a cool and dry place, but not to the refrigerator. You should also avoid direct sunlight on the container with the powder, so as not to destroy the vitamins and shorten the shelf life of the food.

When the jar or box is closed, it can be stored for quite a long time, based on the date indicated on the packaging. If the baby has already tried the formula, but for some reason it did not work (switched to breastfeeding, another brand, allergies, etc.), the period of use is reduced to 3-4 weeks. If you see that this type of baby food is not used, then simply get rid of it.

Dry mixture - storage nuances

The rules regarding the storage of open packages of dry composition are more or less standard - the entire volume should be consumed for its intended purpose within 3 weeks.
Sealed containers last from 18 to 24 months from the date of manufacture. To avoid confusion, we advise you to write the date on it immediately after uncorking the jar. The powder should be stored:

in a cool and dark place;
at normal humidity (up to 75 percent);
permissible temperature – up to 25 degrees Celsius.

Do not keep the dry mixture in a cabinet near the stove, radiator or oven. We also do not recommend storing it in the refrigerator.

When preparing food, you must use sterilized bottles. Make sure your hands, table surface and measuring spoon are perfectly clean.

Although scientists do not agree on the advisability of using microwaves for mixtures, we recommend against this method. The thing is that a microwave oven often heats food unevenly, and in addition, too high temperatures destroy nutrients.

If your baby shows signs of indigestion after eating, be sure to consult your doctor. Symptoms indicating a problem are:

vomit;
hiccups;
repeated regurgitation;
bloating;
colic;
skin rashes.

How to prepare grape leaves for dolma for the winter

Grape leaves have long been popular in oriental cuisine, due to their specific pleasant taste and beneficial properties. It has been proven that the consumption of such an ingredient relieves pain from varicose veins, relieves swelling, stimulates blood circulation, and enriches the body with valuable vitamins and microelements.

It is important that during long-term storage the product retains the maximum amount of useful substances in its composition, therefore, of the existing methods, many housewives prefer freezing.

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For these purposes, it is better to choose young specimens of medium size with small veins. It is better to choose the 5th–7th leaf from the top of the vine.

The following foliage is considered unsuitable for cooking:

from wild (maiden and ornamental) grapes;
affected by sunburn, mold, fungi and pests;
with a suspicious yellowish, whitish or cream color;
old (dangerous due to components harmful to human health);
growing on a vine near busy roads and industrial production.

Did you know? Dolma has become the source of international controversy: the Azerbaijan National Culinary Center has accused Armenia of “appropriating” the dish, and recently the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee recognized the traditions of its preparation in Azerbaijan as one of the elements of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Before freezing, it is advisable to prepare the necessary containers. Remember that thin polyethylene and cling film are subject to crumbling under prolonged conditions of low temperatures. In this regard, dense bags are preferred.

Preparing the leaves

To properly freeze grape leaves, you need:

cut off the ponytails completely;
thoroughly rinse the workpiece on both sides;
dry.

Packaging

Dry leaves are stacked on top of each other in 10 pieces and rolled into a roll. In this form, it is packed into bags and sent to the freezer. It is important that there is as little air as possible inside the package. This will protect the product from foreign odors, allow it to cool faster and be better preserved.

Did you know? Dolma was a dish of the court cuisine of the Ottoman Empire.

For proper harvesting, you need to know when to collect and where best to get grape leaves. For dolma, it is preferable to use white grape varieties. Their plate does not have such a jagged edge as the red varieties, and therefore it is easier to wrap minced meat in it. The foliage is collected when the bush is flowering, in late spring or early summer.

Tender leaf blades five through seven are best, if you start counting from the top of the vine. The average size roughly corresponds to the size of the palm: this will be the most convenient way to wrap the filling.

Leaves are cut off before spraying grapes with chemicals. During the summer, you can also carry out pruning, making sure that after treating the plant with fungicides and insecticides, the period specified in the instructions for the drug passes.

Important! Do not eat products from bushes located along highways!

As with any preparation, the quality of the raw materials plays a crucial role, so it is important to understand which leaves can be used for cooking. They should be a uniform green color, without yellowing, spots or signs of pest damage.

There are several ways to prepare food for the winter, the simplest of which is freezing. But the pickled shell has an additional original flavor. Let's consider all possible ways of harvesting grape leaves.

Freezing

Prepared leaves for freezing must be completely dry. Then they do this:

Place 10–15 leaves and roll them into a tight roll.
The roll is wrapped in cling film.
The rolls are placed in a plastic box, since the product will be fragile after freezing.

To prepare dolma, the pieces will need to be defrosted at room temperature or doused with boiling water.

Important! The number of leaves in one roll should correspond to the amount of dolma that is usually prepared at a time.

Bottled storage

This is an original way to keep leaves fresh for a long time. For it you need to prepare empty plastic bottles. The further procedure is as follows:

Pour a teaspoon of salt and soda into each bottle, add a little water and shake thoroughly so that the mixture covers the entire inner surface. Then the bottle is rinsed with clean water and dried.
Small stacks of leaves (3–5 pieces) are rolled into tubes and placed very tightly in the bottle, carefully tamping them down with a stick. The bottle must be completely filled. Sometimes a little salt is added at this stage.
The bottle is pressed down to release all the air and securely closed with a lid.

This container is stored in a dark, cool place for up to 2 years. To prepare, you need to cut the bottle, remove the leaves and fill with cold water. Sometimes a yellowish coating may appear on the surface, which is not a sign of spoilage.

Did you know? In some regions, fig and quince leaves are used to prepare dolma.

Canning

For preservation, it is necessary to properly prepare glass jars and lids. Sterilization of dishes can be done in a pan of boiling water, in a double boiler or slow cooker, in a microwave or oven. Each jar should be treated with hot steam for 20–25 minutes. With this method, the cuttings do not need to be cut; it will be convenient to use them to pull the workpiece out of the jar. Proceed with the prepared leaves as follows:

The leaves are rolled into a tube and placed tightly in jars, which are then filled with boiling water for 10 minutes. Afterwards, drain the water and fill the jar with boiling water again.
Add 1 tbsp per liter of water. l. salt and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar.
The water from the cans is drained and filled with a boiling solution.
The jar is rolled up and gradually cooled.

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This product should be stored in a cool and dark place.

Pickling

Containers for pickling are processed in the same way as for canning. Then do this:

Place 4-5 peppercorns, 1-2 buds of dried cloves, 1-2 bay leaves at the bottom of the jar.
Rolled leaves are placed tightly on top of the spices and filled with the same solution as for preservation, with the addition of 2 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar.
The jar is closed and stored in a cool place for up to three months, and dolma can be prepared from such a preparation in just a few days.

Pickling

Salting consists of placing the product in a solution of table salt. To pickle grape leaves, do this:

The rolled rolls are placed tightly in a clean container and poured with boiling water. After 10 minutes, the water is drained.
The saline solution is prepared based on the proportion: 20 g of salt per 1 liter of water. Add the required amount of salt to the drained water, bring the solution to a boil and pour it into the jar.
Cover the container tightly, cool and store in the refrigerator.

Dry storage

For this method, brine filling is not used, but the container must be sterilized beforehand. The sequence of further preparation of the workpiece is as follows:

Place 10–12 leaves at the bottom of the jar, press down and lightly sprinkle with salt.
The next layer is compacted tightly and salted again.
The filled jar is sterilized for 10–15 minutes in the oven or steamed, and then closed with a lid using a special key.

Grape leaves are an integral part of dolma. And although this oriental dish is in many ways reminiscent of cabbage rolls, traditional for Slavic cuisine, they cannot be replaced with white cabbage. In order to enjoy the spicy taste of the dish all year round, you should prepare the future “wrapper” for the rice and meat filling in advance for the winter. Is it possible to freeze it, and how to do it correctly, find out further from the article.

For these purposes, it is better to choose young specimens of medium size with small veins. It is better to choose the 5th–7th leaf from the top of the vine. This wrapper is easy to work with, which is not the case with wrappers that are too small or too large. Leaves should be picked between late spring and mid-June, when they reach their peak growth. Healthy, well-developed specimens of regular shape without damage or signs of disease are preferred.

Oriental dishes have long been part of our lives. For example, dolma, beloved by many. It is very similar to our cabbage rolls. Only for its preparation they use grape leaves instead of cabbage leaves. Fans of this unusual dish for our area may be interested in how to store grape leaves for dolma so that it can be prepared even in winter.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

The easiest way to store grape leaves for dolma is to sterilize them and roll them into jars.

In order for them to retain their qualities for a long time, they are collected in 10-15 pieces and rolled into a tight roll.
Then, the leaves folded in this way are placed in a glass jar and sterilized for 20 - 25 minutes, having previously closed the lid tightly.
After the jars have cooled, they are rolled up and placed in a dark and dry place.

The optimal period for collecting grape leaves is the time when the vine begins to flower.
It is recommended to use leaves of white grape varieties for preservation, since they differ favorably from others in their sweet and sour taste, which will positively affect the taste properties of dolma, giving the dish a wonderful piquancy. If you decide to use red grape leaves for harvesting for the winter, remember that their disadvantage is their uneven surface and hardness.
Only young leaves are suitable for dolma, and it is important to cut them from the vine, which is located as far as possible from the roadway.
Never use damaged or torn grape leaves for preservation. Take only smooth, whole leaves, preferably the same size.

Cooking time: approximately 35-50 minutes.
Number of blanks: 3 blanks of 20 leaves.

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How to properly prepare baby formula

When choosing baby food, pay attention to the instructions. Be sure to read it. Each brand of mixture, be it Malyutka, Similak or Nestozhen, has its own shelf life and recommendations for its use.

Important! Among the many types, the most popular is the Nutrilon mixture.

There are general rules for preparing baby food:

Sterilize your feeding bottle. This can be done using a special sterilizer or boiled in pans.
Boil water and cool to body temperature.
Pour the required amount of water into the baby bottle. The volume of liquid depends on the size of the finished portion for the child. You can see how many milliliters of the mixture you need on the box or jar.
Pour dry powder into water. The number of measuring spoons is also indicated in the instructions.
Whisk the finished product thoroughly until all lumps are dissolved. Be sure to cover the nipple with a cap, otherwise the milk mixture may splash out.
Before directly feeding the baby, check the temperature of the liquid. To do this, place a couple of drops on the back of your wrist or elbow. You should not feel any burning or cold. If the mixture is not the right temperature, dip the bottle in hot or cold water, respectively. There are also devices to maintain the required indicators.

Follow the sequence of these processes and preparing baby food will not bring you any difficulty. But there are exceptions to every rule. For example, you go for a walk for a long time or go on a road trip, and you will not have the opportunity to heat the water. In this case, there should be another feeding bottle into which you can pour the required amount of dry formula when you are at home. Boiled water can be poured into a clean thermos. This food should be prepared immediately before eating.

What utensils will be needed to prepare the mixture?

Bottle, nipple, cap, measuring spoon, knife for removing excess mixture from the spoon. Two pans: in one you will boil the dishes, in the other - water for preparing the mixture. There are also convenient modern sterilizers and heaters that you can use when preparing the mixture.

Preparing a portion for one feeding

Wash your hands with soap and dry them with a clean towel. Thoroughly wash the bottle, nipple, cap, measuring spoon and all utensils that will be used in preparing the formula. This is best done using a special product for children's dishes - it is more gentle. Be careful when washing baby dishes in the dishwasher: due to the narrow neck, the bottle often remains unwashed, despite the fact that bottles from most manufacturers are dishwasher safe. For washing bottles, special brushes are provided, with which you can thoroughly rinse the bottle.

Rinse all dishes to remove detergent and boil them for 5 minutes.

To prepare the mixture, prepare a clean surface.

In a separate saucepan, boil water on high for 5 minutes. Unless otherwise indicated in the instructions, mixtures containing probiotics, for example Similac Gold or Similac Comfort, must be diluted with boiled water cooled to a temperature of no more than 35 degrees in order to preserve the beneficial properties of beneficial bacteria.

Pour the required amount of warm, pre-boiled water into a sterilized bottle. Remember that you should not mix boiled and unboiled water to achieve the desired temperature.

Fill the included measuring spoon with the mixture, then remove excess mixture (“heaps”) using the blade of a clean knife.

Add the mixture to the water bottle according to the instructions. You should add the dry mixture to the bottle, not the other way around.

Stir until completely dissolved. For feeding, the mixture must be at human body temperature, that is, approximately 35°C - check the temperature of the mixture and feed the baby. If the mixture is too hot, you can quickly cool it by placing the bottle in a container of cold water.

Make yourself comfortable, hug your baby, and while feeding formula, do not lose physical and eye contact with him. Prepare a napkin in advance in case there is excess formula, and after feeding, carry the baby in a column so that he burps the air that entered the stomach during feeding.

Pour out the remainder of the formula left in the bottle that the child has not eaten within an hour.

How to properly warm up formula bottles?

If you have prepared several servings of formula for feeding your baby in advance, and the bottle with the formula has just come out of the refrigerator, it is important not only to warm up the formula, but also to do it correctly. So here's how to do it:

Remove the bottle of formula from the refrigerator immediately before feeding.
Warm the mixture by placing the bottle with the mixture in a container of hot water so that the water level is below the rim of the bottle. To ensure that the mixture heats up evenly, you should periodically shake or rotate the bottle, and the heating time should not exceed 15 minutes.
Test the temperature of the mixture by placing a small amount on the inside of your wrist. The mixture should not be too hot; it must be cooled to human body temperature – 35°C.

Dry mix

After a certain age, in addition to breast milk, special infant formulas begin to be added to the child’s diet. They are balanced and designed to saturate a rapidly growing body. But the storage of these products must be approached with special care.

First of all, you should remember that the shelf life of dry and ready-made mixtures, as well as their storage conditions, differ significantly.

Storage conditions

Dry powder in a factory-closed container does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. It is placed in any cool, dark place. And stored for the time specified by the manufacturer. After opening the package, the product should be kept in a dry place with a temperature up to +25°C. For example, on the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet, located away from heat sources.

You should not put dry powder in the refrigerator: high humidity levels will lead to the formation of lumps, the product will become too soggy and will quickly spoil.

When a jar (inner bag) with baby dry food is opened, be sure to close it tightly after each use of the formula. And you should scoop up the contents exclusively with a dry, clean spoon.

Shelf life

The shelf life of infant formula is 3 weeks from the moment the package is opened. Further use of the product is possible only as an ingredient in baking. Or for making other dishes, but not feeding the baby. If the product becomes wet, lumpy, or has an off-odor, it should be thrown away, even if it has not yet passed its expiration date. When the container is opened (the manufacturer packs the product in a vacuum bag), its contents come into contact with oxygen. As a result of the interaction, reactions occur that change the properties of the mixture within 3 weeks. After this time, it becomes unsuitable for use by a child, whose body is very sensitive to any changes. Even if the product looks and tastes normal, the baby's digestive system can react very strongly to it.

Remember! Dry baby formulas are stored at temperatures up to +25°C in a dry, dark place.

Knowing how and where to store formula for feeding your baby is not enough. It is important that all utensils used for its preparation, as well as measuring spoons, nipples, etc., are sterile. Therefore, the dishes are kept in a special sealed container or sterilizer.

Divorced

In a refrigerator

The finished mixture, placed in a bottle at a temperature of +2 to +4°C (in a refrigerator), will retain its beneficial properties throughout the day.

The middle shelf of a refrigerator cabinet is best suited for placement, but using the door is strictly prohibited.

At room temperature

Diluted infant formula in the room can be used to feed an infant within 3 hours of preparation.

In this case, it is necessary to ensure a temperature regime of no more than +24°C, seal the bottle or other storage container, and exclude exposure to sunlight. Special thermal bags or thermal bags are well suited for transportation.

In a situation where you need to take food for the baby with you, but feeding is planned later than 3 hours after dilution, it is better not to dissolve the contents of the jar in water, but take separately the mixture in a sterilized package and warm water in a thermos. Before your baby's next meal, simply pour the powder into water and shake thoroughly.

In the freezer

Unlike breast milk, it is prohibited to freeze adapted infant formula.

This product should not be given to infants, since its quality is significantly reduced, the taste deteriorates and can have serious consequences for the child’s health.

How long to store the diluted mixture?

Many parents ask the question: “How long and can the prepared formula be stored in the refrigerator?” Each package indicates the date of production and sale. But this is the period for consuming packaged goods.

There are other shelf life periods for dry mixtures. If you have printed the packaging and opened the foil, then such products cannot be stored for longer than 3-4 weeks, depending on the manufacturer. Try to keep the opened package closed, use paper clips. Avoid direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes.

Ready-made powder is best used immediately and prepared immediately before feeding the baby. But there are times when this is not possible. You can prepare food in advance. For example, you go to bed, but you need to feed the baby in an hour and a half, then prepare the pacifier. The diluted mixture can be stored for one to two hours at room temperature not exceeding 20 0C.

If you have prepared the required amount for feeding, but the baby only ate a small part, then you can save it for another hour. The complementary food may be useful, but if there is only a little left, throw it away without even thinking.

It is also practiced to keep finished products in the refrigerator on a shelf for up to 4-6 hours. But do not abuse this time; before feeding your child such porridge, make sure that there is no unpleasant odor in it.

Important! Be careful not to confuse the shelf life of dry and ready-made mixtures.

How to store the diluted mixture

Ready-made baby food should be stored only in sterilized containers, in this case, a baby food bottle. For cooking, you do not need to use an additional container and pour out the nutrient. Be sure to cover the nipple with a bottle cap to prevent the entry of microorganisms, dust, dirt and other foreign substances.

How to store the mixture in summer

In hot summer weather, be very careful. Do not leave the bottle with the finished drink on the table at a room temperature higher than 20 0C. The consequences can be extremely unpleasant. The baby may develop not only colic, but also diarrhea at best.

To avoid consequences, it is necessary to keep diluted adapted infant formula only in the refrigerator on a shelf. It is not recommended to leave a bottle of drink on the refrigerator door, since opening it causes a sharp temperature change, and this is extremely undesirable.

Advice! Try to prepare baby food immediately before meals. This way you can ensure safety for your baby’s health.

How to keep baby formula warm

Some girls try to keep liquid for a newborn warm. In this case, its shelf life should not exceed three hours, since it begins to deteriorate after 3-4 hours. To maintain the temperature of the milk mixture, wrap the container with the liquid in parchment paper or a towel.

A thermos or a special heat-resistant bag for storing baby bottles will also help maintain the required temperature of the liquid.

With their help, you can keep food warm not only at home, but also on the road.

Why can't it be stored for a long time?

As you know, adapted mixtures contain many useful substances that are needed for the development of a tiny organism. It contains various vitamins, minerals, fats and amino acids.

The high capacity of biologically active substances is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria. They begin to reproduce within a few minutes in an environment conducive to this.

For example, vitamin C decomposes upon contact with oxygen, and some microelements are generally afraid of direct sunlight. Pay attention to this fact when choosing a baby bottle; do not buy containers that are too large for newborns. Excess oxygen in the bottle will lead to rapid breakdown of ascorbic acid.

All of the above processes reduce the shelf life of adapted baby food many times over. A product that is not of good quality can harm your baby’s health.

The health of the child directly depends on the responsibility of the parents. Carefully read the instructions for preparing your particular formula for feeding your baby. All these and other tips will help young, inexperienced parents properly prepare and store baby food.

How to Keep Formula Bottles Warm

Proper storage of milk formula that has already been prepared

It is probably no secret that infant formula, a highly nutritious product, provides an excellent environment for the development of microorganisms. And if, for example, a mother, having prepared the mixture, leaves it in the children's room or on the kitchen table for just a couple of hours, then bacteria, which are present in varying quantities in the mixture (it is impossible to achieve complete sterility at home), begin to form in the mixture develop - and more and more actively . The air temperature is 18-20 °C - this is favorable. Let's imagine a situation: after the third feeding, there is some formula left in the bottle; while the child was sleeping, the bottle stood in the corner of the crib or on the changing table; Three hours have passed, and at the next feeding, the mother, having heated this mixture, offers it to the baby. The consequences may be bad, since the microorganisms that have proliferated in the mixture are unsafe for the child’s still weak body.

Meanwhile, every experienced mother knows that quite often after feeding the baby from a bottle, some amount of formula remains . When there is little mixture left - barely at the bottom of the bottle - this mixture can be poured into the sink and not worry too much about it; however, if there is a lot of formula left after feeding - a third of a bottle, for example - then it is a pity and wasteful to throw it away (especially for a young family whose financial situation leaves much to be desired; although here we simply must say that many pediatricians do not recommend using the remaining mixture at the next feeding). The refrigerator will help us preserve the mixture. How long can we store ready-made milk formula in it? Up to 24 hours . But usually the mixture is in demand within a few hours. Before giving the formula to the child, the mother warms it up - puts the bottle with the mixture in a container with warm water and turns and shakes the bottle from time to time.

Another situation is also possible: there is a lot of milk formula left in the bottle, but there is no refrigerator in the house. What should a mother do if she wants to use this mixture at her next feeding? The mixture, which has been stored for a couple of hours at room temperature, can be given to the child, but before that, bring it to a boil and cool it to the desired temperature; In a boiled milk mixture, almost all microorganisms die.

Let's consider another situation that often happens in life: a family goes on the road with a small child . We do not mean a multi-day trip by train or bus, and even with transfers. It’s too early for our baby to go on such trips. But going to grandma’s house in dad’s car is something we can do. You may have to travel for several hours, and you need to feed the baby on time. Mom chooses one option out of two. Option one: the milk mixture is prepared at home, poured into several bottles (as many as needed), cooled in the refrigerator, after which the bottles are placed in a thermos container of suitable size; when the need arises for the milk mixture, you only need to take it out of the container and find an opportunity to heat it up. Option two (which seems simpler to us, and therefore is preferable): the family takes with them on the road dry milk formula, empty bottles sterilized before setting off, and a thermos full of boiling water of sufficient capacity; At any time, the family can interrupt the journey for a few minutes to prepare formula for the baby.

If we store the finished mixture in the refrigerator, we must follow one rule: for storage we do not need to pour the mixture into another container; store the mixture in the same bottle in which it was left; We leave the nipple on the bottle, but to avoid infection of the nipple, cover it with a sterile gauze cloth, folded several times, or with a sterile plastic cup; Just before giving the formula to the baby, we must treat the pacifier with boiling water from a kettle or replace it with a new one.

It is probably no secret that infant formula, a highly nutritious product, provides an excellent environment for the development of microorganisms. And if, for example, a mother, having prepared the mixture, leaves it in the children's room or on the kitchen table for just a couple of hours, then bacteria, which are present in varying quantities in the mixture (it is impossible to achieve complete sterility at home), begin to form in the mixture develop - and more and more actively . The air temperature is 18-20 °C - this is favorable. Let's imagine a situation: after the third feeding, there is some formula left in the bottle; while the child was sleeping, the bottle stood in the corner of the crib or on the changing table; Three hours have passed, and at the next feeding, the mother, having heated this mixture, offers it to the baby. The consequences may be bad, since the microorganisms that have proliferated in the mixture are unsafe for the child’s still weak body.

Shelf life of various types of mixture in finished form

Manufacturers have determined expiration dates for various brands of food, taking into account the rate of bacterial growth in warm and cooled environments.

Baby

Nutricia company. According to the recommendations given in the instructions, it is not recommended to leave any remaining mixture. Prepared food must be consumed within 1 hour.

The total shelf life of the food is 1.5 years, and after opening the mixture must be prepared for no more than 3 weeks. Do not place open packaging in the refrigerator.

Baby

The “Malyutka” mixture from Nutricia LLC is given to the child immediately after preparation. Leftovers are not allowed to be reheated later. After depressurization, the packaging is stored for only 3 weeks.

Nutrilon Premium

The ready-made Nutrilon Premium mixture from Nutricia (Russia) is stored for no more than 1 hour after preparation. If the baby refuses to eat, the remaining food should be disposed of. The dry mixture in a depressurized but tightly closed jar is good for use for 21 days.

Nan

According to the recommendation (Switzerland), the prepared NAN mixture can only be stored for an hour at room temperature. According to the recommendations of the doctors of the perinatal department, the mixture can be given for 2 hours, but provided that the baby does not even touch the pacifier with his lips. Like most mixtures, NAN will stay safe in the refrigerator for a day, and the dry mixture can be stored for up to a month.

Nestozhen

“Nestozhen” from Nestlé should be consumed no later than 60 minutes. after cooking, and ideally within half an hour. Afterwards it acquires a sour smell. You can store food in the refrigerator if the baby has not touched the bottle, and only until the next feeding.

Similak premium

On the packaging of the Similak Premium mixture (country of origin: Denmark) it is written that the ready-to-use mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. At room temperature, the Similak mixture retains its beneficial properties for only 1 hour.

Note! If the name of the food contains the clarification - Premium, this does not mean that the finished mixture can be stored longer. The powder has a more balanced composition and an expanded list of useful components.

Why can’t the mixture be stored for a long time?

Some young mothers prefer to prepare the mixture in advance in order to store it in this prepared form for longer. However, this should not be done, since warm liquids increase the number of harmful bacteria that lead to colic and bloating in babies. Baby food contains a lot of fat and protein, and is therefore considered an ideal breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. The proliferation of harmful microorganisms begins if the prepared and usable liquid is stored for more than one hour at a temperature above 20 degrees. They also multiply when regularly heated on a gas stove or in the microwave.

What to do if the shelf life of the mixture is only one hour

When going to the hospital or for a walk, you need to take your child food. But what if the duration of your stay outside the home is 2-4 hours, and the mixture spoils within an hour or two. There is an exit. Experienced mothers shared a life hack. Need to:

take a thermos with clean warm water for a walk;
Pour a portion of dry baby food into a feeding bottle;
mix water with powder, shake until the lumps are completely dissolved and feed the baby when the time comes.

A thermos is a necessary thing in the cold season; without it, the water for preparing the mixture will quickly cool down. When walking in the heat, you don’t need to take a thermos. Just wrap your water bottle in foil and cloth to keep it warm.

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Baby

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Why can’t the mixture be stored for a long time?

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Other solutions