Effects of Baby Drinking Spoiled Formula Milk
There are many things to remember when taking care of babies. When did they last eat? Have they napped today? When did they last have some milk? All these things can lead to sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Exhaustion may make parents forget things or make mistakes when keeping track of baby care duties.
It’s two in the morning, and in a hurry to feed your little one, you snag a bottle of formula milk on the counter since bedtime – many hours ago. And while you know you shouldn’t feed your kid old milk, it happens, and you did. And by the time you realize how old the formula milk was, your baby has already drunk most of it. Have you poisoned your little one? What will happen to your baby after drinking spoiled formula milk? Tune in!
What Happens If your Baby Drinks Spoiled Formula Milk
Everyone makes mistakes, and accidentally feeding your baby a bottle of spoiled formula milk does not mean you’re a terrible parent. First thing, don’t panic, as it’s rare for babies to get fatally sick from drinking the odd bottle of spoiled milk.
However, spoiled formula milk can put your baby at risk of food poisoning or food-borne illness. That’s because formula milk should not stay at room temperature for more than two hours after preparation. Leaving constituted formula milk on the counter longer than two hours can contaminate it with pathogenic bacteria, which may lead to food poisoning or food-borne illnesses.
Here’s what will happen when your baby drinks old spoiled formula milk:
Diarrhea
Spoiled formula milk can upset your kid’s tummy. This may result in them developing diarrhea. You may notice your baby’s diapers becoming full of looser than usual poop, and they need changing more frequently.
If you notice your baby has diarrhea, it’s crucial to keep hydrated and seek medical advice if the diarrhea doesn’t pass quickly. That’s because diarrhea can make a kid lose lots of body fluids leading to dehydration which can have severe consequences.
Vomiting
Your little one may also become sick after drinking old spoiled formula, get nauseous or even vomit. Although seeing your kid vomit is never a good experience, take comfort that it means your child’s stomach is rejecting the spoiled milk and trying to get it out of their system.
But if vomiting persists, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.
Dehydration
If your baby has diarrhea, they are at risk of dehydration. Dehydration is dangerous and makes your kid have an electrolyte imbalance, which is severe. So, if your little one stops having wet diapers, appears lethargic, or is running a fever, they may be dehydrated.
Similarly, if your child continues to vomit and is still not wetting their diapers, even after offering them fluids, you may be in an emergency. And therefore, you need to seek professional medical help as soon as possible.
What Happens If Baby Drinks Expired Powdered Formula Milk?
It’s not just spoiled prepared formula milk that can make your baby sick; drinking powdered or liquid formula past its expiration date is also risky. The same way you wouldn’t drink expired cow’s milk is the same way with baby formula.
However, the two pose different risks. While drinking expired cow’s milk can make you have food poisoning, that’s hardly the case with expired baby formula. With baby formula, the risk is not in contracting food-borne illnesses but more to do with the nutrients.
Vitamins and minerals in formula milk begin breaking over time. And by feeding your baby expired formula milk, you risk them becoming deficient in the essential nutrients and vitamins they need to grow, develop, and be healthy.
The expired bottle of formula milk is unlikely to make your little one ill. However, expired formula milk can severely affect your child’s development and general health when fed regularly.
What Should You Do If Your Baby Drinks Spoiled Formula Milk?
So, you have accidentally given your baby a bottle of formula milk two hours past its preparation, or the powder has expired, and you have just realized. First, don’t freak out. We all make parenting mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up. Here are some things you need to do if your little one drinks spoiled formula:
Be Calm
Take a deep breath and try to be calm. Rest assured, this will just end up being one of those parenting mistakes that help you learn a valuable lesson unless your little one seems extremely unwell.
You will also be more careful regarding your baby’s feed, which is good. So, relax; you’re not the first mom to feed off spoiled formula to her baby, and neither will you be the last.
Watch Your Baby Closely
If your kid starts having diarrhea or vomiting, keep a close eye on them. Monitor how often they have an upset stomach or vomit. If the two occur frequently and are not improving, seek medical advice.
It’s also crucial to monitor your baby’s temperature. Fever can be dangerous in kids, and if your child has a constant high temperature, it’s time to get further assistance.
Ensure Your Baby Is Hydrated
Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever can cause dehydration. As such, it’s crucial to replenish the fluids your baby is losing to prevent them from being dehydrated. Depending on your baby’s age, there are various age-appropriate drinks and if you’re unsure, seek medical advice.
Dehydration can be very dangerous, and if your child’s condition is deteriorating and becoming more unwell, you’ll have to call for medical assistance.
Toss All Old/Expired Formula
People should learn from their mistakes. So, if you still have a big tub of expired formula milk, discard it to ensure you don’t repeat the mistake. I know formula is expensive, but don’t you think your kid’s health is more important?
As for the prepared formula, ensure you always label them before refrigerating. Also, note down the time you prepare feeds and your child starts the bottle to know if you have safe leftover formula milk.
Conclusion
Although your baby drinking spoiled formula milk is not advisable, they can hardly become severely ill. However, they may develop diarrhea or vomit in an attempt to flush out the spoiled milk. If this happens, ensure your kid is well hydrated. If diarrhea/vomiting persists or your baby shows signs of dehydration, seek medical advice.