Many new parents may wonder, when can babies drink cold formula (or breast milk!)? Feeding our babies takes up a large part of our day. It’s totally normal to look for ways to make this process faster and more convenient!
In this post we’ll talk all about why you might want to give cold formula or breast milk, precautions to take when making cold formula, and when babies can drink cold formula or breast milk.
When Can Babies Drink Cold Formula or Breast Milk?
Believe it or not, babies can drink cold milk (formula or breast milk for babies less than one-year-old)!
Most new parents learn to warm their baby’s milk before giving it to them. And babies often develop a preference for warm milk, especially if they’re drinking from the breast. Formula-fed babies may also develop a preference in the temperature of the milk since they’re often given formula made with room-temperature water.
But, that doesn’t mean your little one can’t drink their milk cold! So when can you start giving your baby cold formula or breast milk?
This really depends on your little one’s personal preference, but it is generally safe at any point for a healthy, full-term infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations like the Mayo Clinic support that it is safe to give your baby cold formula or breast milk.
However, it is not recommended for premature babies. This is because of their immature digestive systems and body temperature regulation. Studies show there is a positive effect on premature infants by warming their feeds to body temperature to increase feeding tolerance.
The best choice is the one that’s right for your family!
Pros of Giving Cold Formula
1. Giving cold milk is faster and more convenient
Once the formula is prepared or the breast milk is pumped, it’s stored in the fridge and easy to grab to quickly make your baby a bottle. Some parents even prepare bottles ahead of time to easily grab and go.
This cuts down on the time needed to prepare the formula bottle and then warm it.
2. Easier to give cold milk when traveling (sometimes)
If you have ready-made formula bottles in a cooler, it’s really convenient to grab one and feed your baby when they’re hungry and ready for a bottle. The bottles are already prepped with the right formula to water concentration so you don’t have to worry about mixing.
Sometimes, this may not be the most convenient method when traveling. Having room temperature water and formula separate rather than carrying a cooler may be easier for certain travel situations.
3. Avoid the risk of overheating baby’s milk
There are a few different ways you can warm your baby’s bottle. With a bowl of warm water, running the bottle under hot water, or bottle warmers. You should never place your baby’s bottle in the microwave as this can cause hot spots and scald your baby’s mouth.
When giving cold formula, you don’t have to worry about accidentally overheating baby’s milk and burning them.
4. Middle of the night feedings
Giving cold formula is also really convenient for those middle-of-the-night feedings when your baby wakes crying and hungry. The last thing any new parent wants is to hear their baby screaming while they’re waiting for a warm bottle.
Cons of Giving Cold Formula
1. Baby may prefer only cold milk
It might be great and work out well when your baby accepts cold formula or breast milk. However, there might be times when you don’t have access to cold milk.
If your little one has developed a preference for only cold milk, this can get tricky. Now you may have to find a way to keep your baby’s milk cold at all times for them to accept the bottle. This may not always be the case, but is a possibility!
2. Baby may not like cold milk
Your baby just may not like cold milk. Especially if they’re used to that perfectly warmed milk. If this is the case, you may try and see if they’ll accept milk at room temperature.
3. Risk of improper formula concentration or clumping
Unless you’re giving ready-to-feed formula, you’ll have to mix up your baby’s formula milk to the right concentration and then store it in the fridge.
Depending on the type of formula, when made with cold water or stored in the refrigerator, it may not mix as well and might clump together. You’ll want to make sure the pitcher the formula is stored in is well-mixed each time before pouring any new bottles.
Making and Storing Cold Formula Safely
When it comes to making baby formula, what’s most important is the safety of the water and using the right mixture of water to formula. Here are a few tips to prepare your baby’s formula safely:
- Check the expiration date.
- Wash your hands before preparing the formula.
- Sterilize bottles and nipples before their first use. Clean bottles after each use with hot water and soap.
- If using a powdered formula, you’ll need to add safe, clean water. Use bottled or tap water if approved by your baby’s pediatrician.
- If using a powdered formula, carefully measure the amount of water and formula needed. Measure the water first before adding the formula powder. Use the included scoop that came with the baby formula canister.
- If making the formula ahead to store in the refrigerator, calculate the number of ounces needed for the day and correspond with the correct number of formula scoops needed to make the proper concentration.
- Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container away from any food items. Label the container with the date and time the formula was prepared.
- Be sure to mix the formula before pouring out each bottle to prevent any clumping or separation of the milk.
- Discard any prepared formula that’s been in the fridge for over 24 hours.
Extra tip: once your baby has been fed from the bottle, discard that milk after an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my baby drink cold formula?
Some babies simply don’t like drinking cold milk. It may not be comfortable for some little ones to drink cold milk and is easier for them to consume room temperature or warm liquids.
If you give your baby cold formula or breast milk and it seems to cause them stomach discomfort, continue offering room temperature or warmed bottles.
Can cold formula upset the baby’s stomach?
There is no evidence that suggests cold formula would upset your baby’s stomach. However, babies can’t exactly tell us if it feels uncomfortable for them. So if your baby shows any signs of discomfort, continue heating their formula or breast milk to warm or room temperature.
Why should babies not drink cold milk?
There is no evidence-based reason your baby can’t drink cold milk (unless they’re premature).
But if your little one doesn’t like cold breast milk or formula or starts to refuse their milk, then this would definitely be a reason to continue warming your baby’s milk.
What should you do if your baby doesn’t drink cold formula?
If your baby won’t drink cold formula, you’ll need to continue mixing their formula with room temperature water and serving it that way or warming their bottle. You can warm their milk by running under warm water, putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water, or using a bottle warmer.
