Prepared infant formula can be safely left out at room temperature for up to two hours. However, once a baby starts drinking from the bottle, the remaining formula should be used within one hour or discarded, as exposure to the baby's saliva can cause bacterial growth. If the formula is not going to be used right away, it should be refrigerated immediately and used within 24 hours. Key points:
- Prepared formula sits safely at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours.
- After the baby starts feeding, use the formula within 1 hour.
- Leftover formula after feeding should be thrown away.
- Unused prepared formula can be refrigerated and used within 24 hours.
This advice aligns with guidelines from multiple authoritative sources including CDC and pediatric nutrition experts for safe formula handling and storage to avoid bacterial contamination and spoilage.
