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When your baby is hungry, you want to help them as fast as possible. If you are formula feeding your baby, this can be a challenge sometimes. You need to be ready with the bottle or formula feed at room temperature during the feeding time. How fast can you cool down the warm bottle? What’s more important, keeping the formula warm or keeping it cool? This article explains everything you need to know about temperature of formula feed, can a baby drink cold formula, when can babies drink cold formula and will cold formula hurt babies stomach.
Can a baby drink cold formula?
The answer is yes! In fact, many new parents find that their baby prefers cold formula to room temperature. You would be surprised to know that milk temperature doesn’t impact the nutritional value of the milk. A study published in 1962 completed by Dr. John P. Gibson of Abilene, Texas, and supported by American Academy of Pediatrics, confirms that the temperature of the milk is entirely based on personal preference and it varies based on the taste for parents and babies.
According to research, the nutritional content of milk does not depend on temperature. Science has revealed that babies may drink cold milk without damaging the nutritional value. It’s not as significant as using the correct ratio of water to formula (ready-to-feed formula) or properly storing breast milk. Furthermore, parents will find it much easier and simpler to handle cold breastfeeding milk that has been kept in the fridge especially during the middle of the night. Cow’s milk should not be given to infants, whether it’s hot or cold. Best choice for infants younger than one year old is either formula or breastfeeding.
Cold milk is also great for young babies during their teething process. It helps soothe gums and you would notice your baby enjoying cold milk. While the bottle temperature doesn’t impact much, it is important to have the right amount of water added to the right amount of the formula feed. Whether you use warm liquid or cold water, there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding your baby formula. Make sure that the baby’s formula is well-mixed with right amount of water. Otherwise, you may find that it separates and becomes difficult to feed your baby.
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How to prepare formula milk
Before you worry about temperature of the milk and decide to add bottle warmers, it is advised that you follow feeding instructions based on the type of formula recommended by baby’s pediatrician. Here are a few tips for how to prepare formula milk –
- Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing the formula.
- Take extra precautions, boil water and let it cool to room temperature before adding it to the formula powder.
- Mix the powder and water well, using a clean spoon.
- If you’re using a bottle, be sure to use clean bottles, clean nipples by sterilizing them before adding the formula.
- Once the formula is prepared, you can store liquid formula in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Check the expiration date of the formula feed before you prepare.
- Try not to use microwave to warm the feed since heating in microwave leads to hot spots, which leaves your baby’s mouth with strange taste. Also avoid using bottled water or fresh tap water.
CDC guidelines for formula preparation
Will cold formula hurt baby’s stomach?
There’s no need to worry about cold formula hurting your baby’s stomach. In fact, many babies prefer cold formula to warm formula. If your baby is fussy or seems uncomfortable after drinking warm formula, try serving the formula cold. You can also try mixing warm milk and cold formula together to find a temperature that your baby enjoys. If you’re concerned about your baby getting enough nutrients, talk to your pediatrician. They can advise you on whether or not cold formula is right for your baby.
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Does cold formula cause gas
There’s a lot of debate on whether or not cold formula can cause gas in babies. Some say that it can, while others claim that it’s perfectly safe. So what’s the verdict? Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer. Some babies may be more sensitive to cold temperatures than others, and thus may be more likely to experience gas after drinking cold formula.
However, there’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that cold formula causes gas. So if your baby is drinking cold formula without any issues, there’s no need to worry. If you’re concerned, however, you can always try warming the formula to body temperature before feeding it to your baby.
When Can Babies Drink Cold Formula?
The good news is that you can give your baby cold formula without worrying about hurting their stomach. In fact, many babies actually prefer cold formula to room temperature or warm formula. There’s no need to wait until your baby is a certain age. You can start giving them cold formula as soon as you start feeding them formula.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure the formula is properly mixed before giving it to your baby. And if you’re using a bottle, be sure to shake it well to make sure the formula is evenly mixed. Once you’ve mixed the formula, you can put it in the fridge to cool. Then, when you’re ready to feed your baby, just take it out and give them a bottle. They’ll love the cold, refreshing taste!
Key Takeaways
As a parent of an infant, you don’t have to worry about giving cold bottle of milk. You can give your baby cold formula without worrying about hurting their stomach. In fact, many babies actually prefer cold milk to room temperature or warm formula. There’s no need to wait until your baby is a certain age.
You can start giving them cold formula as soon as you start feeding them formula. And while using a baby bottle, be sure to shake it well to make sure the formula is evenly mixed. Once you’ve mixed the formula, you can put it in the fridge to cool. Then, when you’re ready to feed your baby, just take it out and give them a bottle. They’ll love the cold, refreshing taste!
Wow, my mom used to always give my little brother to give hot formula. So, it’s interesting to know cold is good as well.
There is so much to know about formula feeding, and it is good to do your research before feeding your baby. I remember being surprised at some of these things.
Hhhmmm…thank you for this elaboration. I didn’t know babies could drink cold formula!
This is very useful, especially for new mothers. I’m not one, nor do I plan to be, but I have a few friends having kids this year. I’ll be sure to send this through to add to their ‘baby books.’
This is all useful advice for new mothers. My baby milk preparing days are over unless grandkids come along. It is important to know how to prepare the milk properly to avoid any issues arising x
I never thought to give a baby cold formula. You’re right though, I can see how they would like it when teething.
This is good information for parents with young babies. I’m sur they look forward to cutting out an extra step.
That’s a good question. I think mine always liked his breast milk warm but I’m sure some kiddos may like it cold.
I’ll definitely come back to this when I have another baby within the next year or so.
First, thanks for sharing this article with us, it’s very informative and valuable, especially to couples who have a baby that drinks formula milk! Second, there’s more misconception about this that has been cleared to me! Such a big help and a great reference too! Loved it!
I really love this post. I think it’s been a well-established myth for a long time that babies can’t drink cold formula. This makes things so much easier!
Oh, wow! You know I never knew that babies could drink cold formula. I don’t know why, but I always thought it was bad for them.
Great information especially for new parents! I will pass this onto friends with little ones.
I never did cold formula with my boys, but we also never heated it up. The water was room temperature and we would mix the powder and give it to them. It was nice to not have to worry about keeping it cold or warm since we were often on the go when they were little.
This is a very good question! I’ve never had a child, but up until now I’ve always heard that the babies formula needs to be warmed. I never thought about if they could drink it cold at some point. Great post!