formula

Quick query, is it possible to mix up a bottle of formula before bed and just heat it up for the middle of the night feeds... or do they need to be made fresh?

Here are the NFSA guidelines for formula use;

How to store and prepare powdered formula safely
Keep powdered formula covered and in a clean dry place. Check the use-by-date and use it within four weeks of opening.

Clean all feeding equipment before preparing formula. Until your baby is three months old, you also need to sterilise all feeding equipment. Refer to the Cleaning and sterilising your baby’s feeding equipment section above.

To prepare powdered formula safely
1. Always thoroughly wash and dry your hands with soap and water before preparing bottle feeds.

2. Make sure the area used to make up your baby’s feed is clean.

3. Make up formula with cold, previously boiled water. For at least the first three months of your baby’s life, all water (including bought water), used to make up formula should be boiled and chilled on the same day it is to be used. To do this, boil water for three minutes on the stove top or if using an automatic kettle wait until it switches off. Keep boiled water covered while it cools and place in the fridge in sterilised bottles or a sterilised jug until it is needed. Keep this water for no longer than 24 hours. Water from tanks or bore holes should be boiled and cooled for babies and toddlers until they are about 18 months old.

4. Pour an appropriate amount of cooled boiled water into the cleaned and sterilised bottle before adding the powdered formula. Use the scoop and preparation instructions provided with the product. Never add more powder or less water than recommended and never add anything else into the formula feed.

5. If possible, infant formula should be made up just before a feed. Throw out any formula that has been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.

6. Prepared formula can be stored for later use in the back of the refrigerator at less than 4°C. It should be stored for no longer than four hours.

Warming prepared formula safely
Formula can be heated by placing the bottle in a container of hot water.

Microwaves can heat unevenly. If you are using a microwave, shake the milk thoroughly after heating and leave it to stand for two to three minutes. Shake the formula again before using.

Test the temperature of the milk by shaking a few drops onto the inside of your wrist. The formula should feel comfortably warm to the touch.

Throw out any formula that is left in the bottle after a feed.

Do not reheat any prepared formula that has already been warmed or partially consumed.

Handling prepared formula safely when travelling
If you need to take a bottle of formula with you when travelling, take previously boiled and cooled water separate from the formula powder.

Measure the water into a clean container or the baby’s bottle. Until your baby is three months old, you also need to sterilise this container.

Carry the measured formula powder in a clean and sterilised container.

Prepare the formula just before using it, following the steps outlined above.

Whoa sorry that was alot of information! I just copied and pasted

In short the answer to your question....

Mrs_B wrote: 6. Prepared formula can be stored for later use in the back of the refrigerator at less than 4°C. It should be stored for no longer than four hours.

we make up 2 bottles when we do his 11pm feed and put the spare one in the fridge to warm up when he wakes. he'll take room temp formula but not cold so its a pain in the bum. lol

I make up the bottles for breakfast and lunch the night before and have never had any issues.