Can You Refridgerate Whole Milk?

One way I've avoided this problem all together is to only offer milk at meal times. That way, when the meal is over, the milk goes right back in the fridge. I give my daughter water in between meals. I've heard this is better for their teeth anyway. Just a suggestion!

No after you let it sit out it develops bacteria, try to give him less milk in the bottles and if you see he is still hungry give him more.

I had to get use to the idea of only filling the cup about a 1/4 full so there wasn't a bunch of waste. I found that my kids and the kids I watch took awhile to get use to drinking milk from a cup and not a bottle...so I just filled it part way until they were accustomed to it and I knew they would drink it in a fairly decent time.

In the end it is your call. How much would you save by keeping it. $1? Not worth any risk of sickness IMO. If you are trying to be frugal, and it has only been out an hour, put it in the fridge but use it for YOUR cereal or coffee the next day, or your husband's. I'd say there would be minimal to no risk to two healthy adults drinking milk after it sat out for an hour. As long as it wasn't out in the backyard in the blazing sun or something.

Nice that you are thinking about these things too - always something to think about, money, health, peace, etc. Good for you.

Peace,
Richrad

Hi M.,
Just give him less in his bottle. If it is out and he is not drinking it, don't let it go for more than 1 hour and never refridgerate it. P. RN

NO once the milk is above 40 degrees the clock is ticking!! The child should not drink it after an hour. Try putting in less milk. You can always give him more after cleaning bottle or give a new one.

I always put the milk back in the fridge. I haven't used whole milk in years but even then I would put it back in the fridge after my son or daughter were done drinking. With milk costing as much as it does it hurts to have to throw it out. I say go ahead and put it back in the fridge but be sure to check it before you give it back to your son, drink some yourself. You can also try giving him less milk so if you're not comfortable putting it back in the fridge you're not wasting too much milk.

Hi M.,

I have not read the responses you've rec'd thus far, but i wanted to share my opinion, so forgive me if there is repetitive info.

I would offer a bottle, and if he doesn't finish it in 20 minutes, he doesn't want it. I actually warm his milk in the micro and he sits in his sling to drink it... if he doesn't finish it, i dump it.

Here's my thoughts on this.

Yes, milk can get costly at darn near 3-4 bucks a gallon when not on sale but (it's still cheaper than gas!!!HA!), you paid a lot more per ounce when you were giving him formula. AND, the first time your boy throws up from drinking spoiled milk, you will hate yourself for wanting to save the money, and at that moment, seeing him vomit and feeling yucky, you will realize that it's just not worth the cost savings.

Now i'm not suggesting you are willing to risk him being sick... which is why you asked right? but when you are tempted to put it back in the fridge, think twice.... Personally... i cannot stand milk that is not ICE COLD :) After about 10 minutes sitting out (even my glass i have with dinner) i cannot drink it :)

Hi, I would'nt give it back after an hour. the smaller the portion the more likely it has warmed and bacteria has set in. I have left out a gallon for a hour but, it was still cool. My moto is half a portion. If they want more let them ask for it. Bri

I used to throw it away until I realized I was tossing perfectly good milk and wasting it. If my daughter doesent finish it (which happens very often) I just stick it back in the fridge.

Aarti.

I have been refrigerating sippy cups and bottles with unused milk/formula for years. The rule I learned was that whole mild can be out for 1/2 hour before being possibly contaminated. Some sippy cups are thick and insulate, so if it still feels cold, I put it in the frig. The rule for mother's milk is longer, and for formula I follow the 1/2 hour rule also.

I do all the time.......still do & my kids are 5, 5, & 2 1/2
but never longer than that

Actual milk could sit at room temperature for a day and still be good. I don't know if I would do that but it is a fact that pasteurized milk can stay at room temperature for up to a day and still be fine.

But the problem you have is that Evan has drank from his bottle and there is always a chance that human bacteria has gotten into the bottle and the minute the temperature drops to the point the bacteria start to multiple there could be a problem. I would say after only an hour you should still be OK but It all comes down to temperature.

Maybe try less in the bottle or smaller sized bottle. Maybe see if he is ready for a sippy cup. You can just put a little in a sippy cup and them refill as needed.

I agree the price of milk is to high. My 17 year old son drinks 3 gallons of skim milk a week. But price really comes down to the fact the farmers should have been paid more a long time ago. Could you guess I am a daughter of a retired dairy farmer. BOUGHT SKIM MILK AT ALDI'S FOR $1.99.

Best of Luck,

Dear M.--the longest I leave out milk is about an hour in a thermal sippy cup & then I will put it back in the fridge--I usually will smell the milk & make that decision. I re-refrigerate my daughters milk daily but if it just smells a little off (you'll see by doing it) I then throw it out--this has worked for me.
A.

M.,
I think if it's cold milk in a sippy cup - it can be out for about an hour and then can go back in the fridge and be fine. I always smell and taste before giving it to my son. (who is 16 mos old and also drinking whole milk). HOWEVER, if the milk has been warmed - you must chuck what he doesn't drink b/c bacteria grows quicker in the warm milk.

If it's out for more than a hour or two, I generally will toss it. If he doesn't finish (such as his night time sippy), we'll put it back in the fridge until the next day.

Sidenote...I'm not a germ phobe and my son is very healthy!

Don't take a chance with saving it mama. Give Evan a smaller serving. If he sucks it right down and wants more, give him an ounce or two. Salmonella is an aweful result of dairy products at the wrong temperature. Love and luck.

I am surprised to see how many moms out there saying it' okay. The problem is not the milk out of the fridge for an hour or so, the problem is the bacteria left on the cup from the sprout by the child. The same story as not feeding babyfood out of the jar.
Everyone thinks differently, this is just my opinion.

Hi M.,

You can also try the "Thermos Leak Proof Sippy Cup" which is an isulated sippy cup so it keeps cold things cold for a longer period of time. It's about $15 for one but it may help off-set the cost of wasted milk. I think they are at the Right Start, but I know I saw them at Land of Nod and Babies R Us.

If you haven't warmed the milk up and if it has only been out for less than an hour I think it would be fine to put back in the fridge. Try putting less milk in the bottle, it does take a while for kids to get used to cows milk.

I certainly would not put it back in the fridge after its been out that long, plus you have to figure in the time he is taking drinking too,try putting less in the bottle to start with you can always add more if he wants more this way you will probably not waste as much
H.

Offering milk at meal times with a less amount would be the best solution. Even though-- Milk souring is not necessarily "bad" -- this is how yogurt, many kinds of cheese, and various other milk products begin. There is no health threat associated with souring of milk, but the processors and some government jurisdictions put dates on containers that represent their guess as to how long the milk will be acceptable. Once I hit the store, place the milk jug in my cart, continue shopping, purchase the items, drive home, and then put the milk in the fridge--It has been a good hour and the milk is fine. Trust your judgement and think if you would be willing to drink it--if so then it is okay.

I use a thermos cup- Thermos brand sells sippy cups and straw cups (I found mine at Target) and it keeps the milk cold for hours. I rarely put it in the fridge because by the time he is done drinking his milk after a couple hours, I have to refill with fresh milk.

That might be easier for you so you don't have to keep track of it. I know they sell it at the One Step Ahead catalogue and it claims up to 6- 12 hours.

Hi M.,
I wouldn't re-refrigerate the milk, bacteria grows in it and your little one may get sick, the waste is better than unexpected doctors bills. I would try giving him a little less and if he wants more you could always give him a second cup.(with just a few sips in it) Good Luck!
Laura

Yes! You can also do it with formula- just not after an hour.
My good friend just asked her pediatrician about this.

I don't keep it overnight, but during the day is fine.

Also like some of the others suggested, don't fill the cup everytime, you can always add more.

I used to have this problem with my 16 month old and if it was out for a couple hours I would (sadly) toss it. Now I pretty much just do milk with his meals. He drinks the 8 oz for breakfast and lunch and if he doesn't finish it I will stick it right back in the fridge. If he does I then give him water until the next meal and at dinner. He knows to go to fridge on occasion if he wants a drink of milk.

oh wow! I actually let my 14 mo old drink the milk after its been out for 1-2 hours and then sometimes re-fridge it. I always taste it before. I was raised on farm cow milk in Europe and that milk coming out is warm and then we used to put it in a cold water. She is now drinking organic whole cow milk. She has never gotten sick. Thanks for the advice below. Whole milk stays good much longer than skim milk which my husband and I drink.

The amount is too much for him. If you give him lets say 6ozs and he only drinks 3 or 4 then only give him no more than what he drinksand if he wants more he'll let you know. I was told dairy products shouldn't be left out for no more than 8 hours it could be less. If your child is on whole milk then that means he/she is at least a year old which means he/she should be drinking from a regular cup or sippy cup. So this should take care of both problems

I have given my son his milk if it has been sitting out for an hour or 2. There is nothing wrong with it. If you are in doubt just smell it or taste it. Milk does not rot that fast.