Does cold formula upset baby’s stomach? Some parents might be curious about whether or not their infant can consume cold formula. The short and straightforward response is that yes, of course, they can! As a young mother, it seemed like everyone had an opinion and I could do no right! But that is not the case, there is more than one way to feed a baby.
The question then becomes: why do we recommend heating the water first, and is there a temperature that is optimal for the bottle? Also, do babies of all ages prefer warm or cold bottles, or is this a preference that develops through time?
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best Water Temperature For Baby Formula?
- What Is The Difference Between Warm And Cold Formula?
- Does Cold Formula Upset Baby’s Stomach?
- Is A Baby Bottle Warmer Necessary?
- Baby Cold Formula
- The Takeaway
What Is The Best Water Temperature For Baby Formula?
The best water temperature for baby formula is lukewarm. Heating the water too much can lead to scalding, and not heating it enough can make the formula less effective. The World Health Organization recommends water that is at least 70 degrees Celsius, or 158 degrees Fahrenheit when preparing baby formula.
To ensure that your water is at the correct temperature, it is recommended that you use a food thermometer. This will help take the guesswork out of preparing formula, and you can be confident that your baby is getting the nutrients they need.
Once you have heated the water, you will then need to cool it down to a safe drinking temperature for your baby. The best way to do this is by running the bottle under cold water for a few minutes or using a bottle cooler.
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What Is The Difference Between Warm And Cold Formula?
The warm formula has a higher calorie content than the cold formula, and it is also easier for babies to digest. Additionally, the warm formula is more similar to breast milk, which can make the transition from breast to bottle easier for some infants.
However, there are also benefits to giving your baby cold formula. A cold formula can help soothe a teething baby, and it can also be helpful if your baby has an upset stomach. If you are unsure of which temperature to give your baby, it is best to start with a warm formula and then move to cold if needed.
Does Cold Formula Upset Baby’s Stomach?
No, the cold formula does not upset the baby’s stomach. Some babies may prefer cold formula because it can help soothe a teething baby or an infant with an upset stomach. If you are unsure of which temperature to give your baby, it is best to start with a warm formula and then move to cold if needed.
Additionally, there are benefits to giving your baby cold formula. A cold formula can help soothe a teething baby, and it can also be helpful if your baby has an upset stomach. If you are unsure of which temperature to give your baby, it is best to start with a warm formula and then move to cold if needed.
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Advantages Of Cold Formula
- May provide relief to a baby who is teething
- May be of assistance if your infant develops an upset stomach
- May be chosen over other options by some infants because of its invigorating and calming effects
- Containing constituents that are more analogous to those of breast milk
- Is easier for babies to absorb
- The amount of calories it contains is higher than that of the warm formula
Disadvantages Of Cold Formula
Some disadvantages of the cold formula include:
- It can be disruptive or even painful for a baby who is teething
- An upset stomach may still occur despite the ingestion of cold formula
- A baby may not consume as much cold formula as they would warm formula due to the difference in taste and temperature. This could lead to malnutrition or dehydration if not monitored carefully.
Is A Baby Bottle Warmer Necessary?
The “ideal” temperature for infant formula is brought to the bottle with the help of bottle warmers, which many parents purchase. Even though this may appear to be a requirement for first-time parents, many parents with more experience are aware that there are other choices available.
If the water in the bottle is at room temperature, the majority of infants will drink from it. Maybe you’re not at home, but you brought a bottle of water with you and are using that to combine the ingredients for the formula. Even though the water in the bottle has reached room temperature, your baby will still drink it since he or she is hungry, even though the bottle warmer will make the water warmer.
This does not mean that you are prohibited from purchasing a bottle warmer; perhaps your infant is extremely picky and will only consume it when it is warm. In this scenario, the bottle warmer that you purchased will be a welcome addition to the other baby necessities that you have.
Always keep in mind that the temperature of the infant formula should never be above room temperature. Always check the temperature of the baby formula on your wrist first to ensure that it is about the same as your body temperature.
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Baby Cold Formula
Many busy parents may prepare bottles the night before and store them in the fridge. Though this is a brilliant plan, you should know that baby formula that has been blended is only good for 24 hours. Be sure to follow the instructions, as each formula may vary slightly. I made this mistake a few times.
You may not want to wait for the bottle to warm up before feeding your baby. Some moms and dads administer the formula straight up to their infants. Babies may develop a taste for warm bottles if they are given to them from birth. If you think your baby doesn’t mind the bottle being served at different temperatures, try it!
It’s not ideal to give a newborn baby formula straight from the fridge because their digestive system doesn’t need to expend any extra energy warming it up.
If your baby is very fussy when first starting to drink from a bottle, you can ease their transition by running warm water over the bottle and whirling it in the sink for a minute. Or, you can save some water by letting the bottle sit in a dish of warm water for a while.
Once your kid is past the newborn stage, he or she may prefer to have bottles served cold, straight from the fridge. Just keep an eye on your little one and follow their clues to figure out what’s best for them!
Some infants may tolerate cold milk but not nipples, which is something to keep in mind. Keep your bottle covered and refrigerated for the best results (some bottles have the top without the nipple). Or you can warm the nipple by running it under hot water in the sink before giving it to the baby.
Never put a bottle of milk in the microwave to warm it up. In addition to destroying the bottles and perhaps allowing chemical contaminants to flow into the milk, this can also cause hot spots in the milk.
Gerber Good Start
Gerber asserts that Good Start having the “gentleness of breast milk” is what gives SoothePro its ability to aid with a wide range of issues, including excessive crying episodes, fussiness, and gas. It only has 30 percent lactose, which, according to the manufacturer, may help the baby’s tummy (though research into this is lacking, and lactose is actually the same sugar found in human breast milk). In addition to that, it has a combination of prebiotics and probiotics in its makeup.
Holle Goat Milk
Goat milk is often lauded as being more digestible for babies than cow milk, and Holle Goat Milk Formula is one of the best goat milk baby formulas on the market.
Like Kendamil, Holle uses 100% organic whole milk that has been gently pasteurized and then skimmed to remove any excess fat. The team then adds a bespoke blend of 26 essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, as well as prebiotics (to support a healthy digestive system) and nucleotides (for cognitive development).
One of the things that set Holle apart from other baby formula brands is their strict commitment to using only the highest quality ingredients in their products.
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The Takeaway
Babies are not harmed by drinking cold formula, and in fact, it may be the temperature that is most comfortable for your child. It is not recommended to provide a cold formula to newborns; however, once the baby has beyond the newborn stage, it is absolutely fine to give the formula at room temperature.
Always keep a close eye on your child, and if they show no interest in a cold formula, never coerce them into drinking it. It is best to feed your baby, even if it means taking a few extra minutes to warm up the formula each time if they are fussy about drinking cold formula.
My name is Sharon Dunn and I appreciate you following my parenting website!
