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  1. #1
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    Default what happens to powdered formula after 1 month?

    We only use 4 ounces of formula a day, for cereal. The cans say that you have to use them within a month of opening. What happens if they hang around for longer than that? I can't finish a small can in a month, but I also have a second can that was opened because we had a crisis when we were out of town. It has been opened for 2 months now. Am I going to poison my kid if I give it to him anyway? I'm thinking it would probably be OK but I'm just wondering if anyone knows the real reason behind the one month limit.

  2. #2
    TwoBees is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    I have no idea. Here's a link to a similar post from several months ago:
    http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...=formula+month

    Although no conclusion was reached there either. Someone in that post suggested getting the single-serving packets of formula for use in cereal. Is that an option for you? What about using cow's milk instead of formula?

    ETA: Here's some info I found: http://www.infantformula.org/faqs#10
    Last edited by TwoBees; 03-12-2011 at 02:46 PM.
    Mom to a spirited, red-headed, former 28-weeker 10/2009 and a more mellow monkey 12/2013.

  3. #3
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    I seem to also remember reading somewhere that it can a) become contaminated with/allow too much growth of bacteria, and b)the milk itself starts to go bad from being exposed to the air.
    Mama to "The Fantastic Four":
    DS 02
    DD 06
    DS 09
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  4. #4
    catsnkid is offline Platinum level (1000+ posts)
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    We weren't too hard & fast on this rule, but generally we used it up within 6 weeks. It is sooo annoying, esp when it so much cheaper to buy in bulk. (We used to supplement at daycare and for cereal on weekends at home).
    DS 6/09

  5. #5
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    thanks for the input. I am convinced that I should dump the 2 month old can and buy the smallest size cans or single servings in the future. I'm hoping to get away from cereal in about a month, so hopefully it won't be an issue for much longer.

  6. #6
    DrSally's Avatar
    DrSally is offline Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    Another option would be to ask for samples whenever you go to the peds office. They usually will gladly give it to you, and it comes in smaller cans. I also only used it for mixing cereal and backup, so I hated to waste it at the end of the month, but I was concerned with spoilage and bacterial contamination.
    Sally

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  7. #7
    egoldber's Avatar
    egoldber is offline Black Diamond level (25,000+ posts)
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    You don't have to mix cereal with formula. You could use water, juice, applesauce, other pureed fruits, milk, soymilk, etc. For 4 ounces total a day to mix with cereal, I wouldn't buy formula.
    Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)

  8. #8
    DrSally's Avatar
    DrSally is offline Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    Quote Originally Posted by egoldber View Post
    You don't have to mix cereal with formula. You could use water, juice, applesauce, other pureed fruits, milk, soymilk, etc. For 4 ounces total a day to mix with cereal, I wouldn't buy formula.
    Oh yeah, I should've mentioned that as well. After DS had a reaction to formula I used to mix with cereal (one of my first posts here!), I switched to mixing with pureed babyfood and everything was fine.
    Sally

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    My Lovely DD

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  9. #9
    AshleyAnn is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    I had a half used can in a bedroom that never got thrown away when DD switched to whole milk. It was around about 8 weeks and it was pretty caked together and a looked a little off. We're in a humid climate so YMMV. Our scoops also got a little nasty over time but we FF fulltime. I'm sure bactria could be introduced via the scoop.

  10. #10
    AnnieW625's Avatar
    AnnieW625 is offline Black Diamond level (25,000+ posts)
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    Quote Originally Posted by egoldber View Post
    You don't have to mix cereal with formula. You could use water, juice, applesauce, other pureed fruits, milk, soymilk, etc. For 4 ounces total a day to mix with cereal, I wouldn't buy formula.
    We mixed with water because the one time I tried it with formula for DD1 she gave me the nastiest look ever. I know we used the first can of formula I bought with the girls in probably 2 months. I didn't worry much about the extra month it was opened.
    Annie
    WOHM to two wonderful little girls born in April
    DD E, 17
    DD L, 13,
    baby 2, 4-2009 (our Tri-18 baby)

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