How long does formula last?
How long does a bottle of formula last? And how do you store powdered formula? Can you freeze it? We have the answers to all your bottle-feeding questions.
Untouched, room-temperature formula should be thrown away at the two-hour mark.
A prepared (but untouched) bottle of formula can be stored in the back of the fridge for 24 hours. Opened containers of ready-to-feed and liquid concentrate formulas are good for 48 hours. Powdered formula should be used within one month of opening the can or tub. Your fridge should be at 4°C or 40° F.
There’s no reason to freeze formula. Just mix the powder and water—or use premixed liquid ready-to-feed formula—when you need it.
Have more bottle-feeding questions? Download our chart here and put it on the fridge—it has the answer to all your questions.
Read more: How to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding 14 beautiful bottle-feeding photos The dos and don’ts of safe formula feeding
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Karen Robock is a writer, editor and mom of two whose work has appeared in dozens of publications in Canada and the U.S., including Prevention, Reader’s Digest, Canadian Living, and The Toronto Star. Once upon a time, Karen was even the managing editor of Today’s Parent. She lives in Toronto with her husband, school-age daughters, and their two dogs.