Can you refrigerate similac ready feed

If your baby starts a bottle of formula but doesn't finish it within an hour, toss it. Don't refrigerate and reheat leftovers. Bacteria from his mouth can seep into the bottle, contaminate the formula, and make your baby sick. Tip: Label bottles with the date and time you prepared or opened the formula. Write on painters' or masking tape, use a sticky note, write with a wax pencil, or set an alarm on your phone — whatever method is easiest for you. Place bottles toward the back of the refrigerator, where it's coldest, putting the newest in the far back and rotating the oldest bottles to the front.

Tip: While some babies prefer a heated bottle, there's no medical reason to warm up formula. So if your baby is fine with room-temperature or cold formula, make it easier on yourself by skipping the step of heating it up.

You can warm up a refrigerated bottle of formula by running it under very warm or hot water and gently swirling the liquid for a few minutes. Or place it in a bowl or pot of very warm or hot water until it reaches the temperature your baby likes. If using a pot, remove it from the heat source before placing a bottle in it. Another option is to use a bottle warmer that sits on a countertop or plugs into a car's lighter socket. Never use a microwave, which can heat the liquid unevenly, creating hot spots that could burn your baby's mouth.

Learn more about preparing and using formula safely. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. How to safely prepare formula with water. American Academy of Pediatrics. Mayo Clinic. Infant formula: 7 steps to prepare it safely. Be sure to read the directions prior to mixing your baby's bottle.

A ready-to-feed formula should be labeled: Do Not Add Water. Adding water to this formula can lead to malnutrition in your baby. Ready-to-feed formula already has the right amount of water in it. Adding more would dilute it, making it less nutrient dense. Most ready-to-feed formulas are very simple and follow the basic instructions below.

Read the manufacturer's direction on the container before starting. For ready-to-feed infant formula you will need to gather the following supplies:.

You may also wish to have a baby bib or burp cloth. This is for both during the feeding and after the feeding when you burp the baby. Some babies also spit up or drool formula out of their mouths while feeding.

A bib will help keep you and your baby clean. Before making the bottle, wash your hands like you would for preparing any food.

If you are using canned formula, take your can opener and punch a hole in one side of the top of the formula can. Punch an additional hole directly across from the first hole. This will allow it to flow better when pouring. If using bottled formula, unscrew the lid and open the seal, if any. If using a previously opened bottle, make sure it hasn't been opened for longer than 48 hours and that it has been stored properly. Determine how much formula your baby needs at this feeding and pour exactly that amount in the baby bottle.

If you are feeding baby formula that was stored in the refrigerator, you will likely need to warm it up. Most babies will not drink cold formula, though it is safe to do so. Never put a baby bottle in the microwave to heat up. Instead, place the bottle in a bowl of warm water. A 2-cup plastic food storage container is a good size for baby bottles. If you do not have ready access to warm water, you can microwave a bowl of water for 30 seconds, then place the baby bottle inside to warm to room temperature.

It should not take more than 5 minutes and do not leave the bottle in the water for more than 15 minutes, as the heat may degrade the formula. Some parents prefer to use bottle warmers because they are fast and easy to use, especially for middle-of-the-night feedings. If you choose to boil, follow these steps:. Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, then turn off the heat.

Overboiling can increase the concentration of impurities. Let the water cool to room temperature before adding formula. Making formula with boiling water can cause clumping and decrease the nutritional value.

Before feeding, sprinkle a few drops on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot. Note: If you are concerned about lead or other harmful substances in your water, talk to your healthcare professional before making formula with tap water.

Bottled or filtered water can contain bacteria and should still be boiled. Add unpacked, level scoop s of powder formula to the bottle as directed. Return dry scoop to can. Tip: Moving your wrist in a twisting motion helps powder formula mix more quickly and more thoroughly. Similac For Spit-Up formula contains rice starch. This means that compared to other Similac powdered formulas, it mixes a little more slowly with water.

This is true of any formula that contains rice starch. What you are seeing is tiny grains of starch and not a product defect. Formula does not need to be warmed. But, if you do want to feed warmed formula, do not microwave it. This can cause "hot spots" that could burn your baby.

Instead, set the filled bottle in a bowl of warm not boiling water. You can also hold the bottle under warm tap water. Preparing Similac Ready-to-Feed formula is easy. Just shake the bottle well before opening, twist off the cap, and pour into a baby bottle.

Formula made from powder must be used within 24 hours. Ready-to-Feed formulas must be used within 48 to 72 hours after opening according to label directions.