Can You Reheat Formula?

Every parent has had a situation where their baby has finished feeding but half a bottle of baby formula is left and don’t know what to do with it so they simply put it in the fridge. 

Although you may be wondering, can you reheat baby formula? Batter yet, is it safe to do so? Well, luckily for you, we’re here to help answer your questions. The short answer is yes, you can reheat baby formula. Although, you want to make sure you’re doing this correctly. For frozen formula, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before attempting to reheat it. You want to avoid thawing it at room temperature or hot water since it can promote bacteria growth. Before giving your baby reheated formula, ensure you smell it first. Here, there shouldn’t be any weird or off-putting smells. If there are, throw them away and use fresh formula. 

Reheating Baby Formula

Before you start reheating your formula, there are a few things you should consider.These include:

Only attempt to reheat the formula that has been refrigerated. Only ever reheat the formula once. Reheating the formula additional times can decrease the nutritional value, as well as increase the risk of potential bacteria growth. 

When reheating the refrigerated formula, all you have to do is place the bottle in a pot of boiling water for approximately 10 minutes.Then, remove the formula and leave it to cool before feeding your baby. This reheated formula is safe for your baby, however, make sure you’re only reheating the formula once.Reheating it any more times can decrease its nutritional value and increase the risks of bacterial growth. Therefore, if you’re unsure your baby will finish the whole bottle of reheated formula, it is best to throw any excess away and start fresh when needed. 

Can You Reheat A Bottle Of Formula More Than Once?

As a new parent, when it comes to your baby; there are many things to worry about.An extra layer of concern when feeding your baby formula milk is whether or not you’re doing it correctly. One of the most common questions is whether or not you can reheat a bottle of formula more than once.Well, you’ll be glad to know that there is no harm in reheating bottled formula, however, this isn’t always necessary. A bottle with formula can be stored at room temperature, and be safe to drink, for up to 24 hours after being prepared.If you’re reheating the formula, ensure you’re doing it carefully and slowly. If you’re looking to warm up your baby’s bottle, then the best way to achieve this is through a bottle warmer or even using hot tap water. You should always avoid microwaving a bottle since it can create hot spots which can potentially scald your baby’s mouth. 

What Happens To Reheat Baby Formula?

As you reheat your baby’s formula, the proteins inside the liquid begin to break down. This means your baby isn’t receiving all the nutrients in the formula. Moreover, reheating can sometimes make the formula taste strange – meaning your baby may not want to drink it. Therefore, if you choose to reheat the formula, ensure you’re doing it safely by following the instructions. For instance, make sure you’re only reheating it once and ensure it is piping hot throughout before allowing it to cool and giving it to your baby to avoid scalding them. 

How Long Can You Use Reheated Formula?

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve needed to reheat previously-prepared baby formula, then you may be wondering how long it is safe to consume. The good news is that generally, baby formula is safe to reheat after being frozen or refrigerated – as long as it has been stored and handled correctly. Below, you will find some additional information when it comes to reheating baby formula and the safe way to do this. Before you begin reheating your baby formula, you should keep a few different things in mind, these include:

Ensure that the formula you’re reheating has been frozen or refrigerated for no more than 24 hours. Any longer and the formula can start to spoil, potentially making your baby sick. You should only ever reheat your baby formula using a clean container. If you’re using a bottle ensure it has been properly sterilized. This can be achieved by boiling it for five minutes. Likewise, you can also use a mug or bowl, just ensure it is microwave safe.Make sure you’re heating the formula until it is boiling hot throughout. Moreover, avoid reheating the milk using a microwave since it can create hot spots and potentially burn your baby’s mouth. Rather, simply place the formula in a mug or bowl and place it in a pan of boiling water. This allows for controlled heating. Here, heat the water until boiling, turn it off, and then place the formula for a few minutes to heat. Before feeding your baby, give the formula a good shake or stir to separate the ingredients. Plus, always make sure to test the temperature before feeding your baby – you want it to be warm but not hot. 

By following these tips, you’ll be provided with a safely reheated baby formula that can be fed to your baby.Just be sure to use your own common sense and be aware of any potential hazards, such as scalding milk. 

Final Thoughts

As first-time parents, many worries are running through your head, one of these including whether or not you can reheat baby formula, and whether it is safe.Luckily for you, this is safe to do so as long as you’re following the instructions and these tips.Hopefully, this guide has informed you of everything you need to know about reheating formulas.