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Is cold breast milk ok for newborns?

Is Cold Breast Milk Safe for Newborns?
The question of whether cold breast milk is safe for newborns is one that many new parents ponder, especially when faced with the practicalities of feeding. The good news is that cold breast milk is generally safe for newborns, provided it has been stored correctly and is not spoiled.
Safety and Storage
Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it is crucial to ensure that it has been kept at a safe temperature to avoid spoilage. If the milk has been properly stored, feeding it cold poses no health risks to your baby. In fact, many healthy, full-term babies can drink milk straight from the fridge without any issues.
Baby Preferences
While cold breast milk is safe, it’s important to note that individual babies may have their own preferences. Some newborns may prefer their milk warmed, as it can be more comforting and familiar, mimicking the temperature of fresh milk from the breast. However, many babies adapt well to drinking cold milk, especially if they are accustomed to it.
Practical Considerations
Feeding cold breast milk can be particularly convenient for parents on the go. For instance, when traveling, it may be challenging to heat bottles, making cold milk a practical option. However, if you choose to warm the milk, it’s essential to do so gently. Overheating can destroy some of the beneficial nutrients in breast milk, which are vital for your baby’s development.
Conclusion
In summary, cold breast milk is perfectly acceptable for newborns, as long as it has been stored properly. While some babies may prefer it warmed, many will happily accept it cold. As with any feeding practice, observing your baby’s reactions and preferences will guide you in making the best choices for their feeding routine.

Can you feed baby breast milk straight from the fridge?

You can feed expressed milk straight from the fridge if your baby is happy to drink it cold. Or you can warm the milk to body temperature by putting the bottle in a jug of warm water or holding it under running warm water. Do not use a microwave to heat up or defrost breast milk.

Can cold milk make newborn sick?

It can be served at room temperature or cold.” This statement makes it clear that cold temperature milk is fine to give to your baby and that safety is not a concern. However, that doesn’t mean that your baby will drink the cold milk that you try to give them.

At what temp is breast milk ruined?

104F
Once breast milk is warmed to temperatures higher than 104F/40 C (for perspective, 104F is what most of us would describe as warm, and is the normal limit for hot tubs), breast milk’s nutritional and immunological value begins to deteriorate.

Is cold milk harder for a baby to digest?

Cold breast milk or formula may cause discomfort and gas in babies with digestion issues or stomach sensitivities. However, such occurrences are quite rare.

Can newborns have cold breast milk from fridge?

Sure. Many babies don’t mind a bottle of cold milk. Some moms like to take the chill off by running the bottle under a little hot water (or soaking it) for a couple of minutes, but you technically could go straight from fridge to baby.

How does a cold affect breast milk?

Getting sick. Just catching a virus or bug such as the flu, a cold, or a stomach virus won’t decrease your milk supply. However, related symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, or decreased appetite definitely can.

Why can’t babies drink cold breast milk?

It would be best if you kept in mind that while you may have the problem of fat separation when it comes to chilling milk, keeping milk cold should not damage its nutrients in any way. This is because, unlike heat, the cold preserves many of milk’s nutrients.

Does cold breast milk upset baby’s stomach?

Is it safe to feed babies cold milk? Yes, it’s safe to feed your baby cold milk. In fact, frozen breast milk can be used as a form of pain relief for teething babies!

What happens if breast milk is too cold for a baby?

There’s no harm in giving your baby cold milk. “It is not necessary to warm your breastmilk and can be served cold or room temperature. Although, some babies may have a preference,” says Wendi Andria, MSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC, a lactation specialist from South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.

Does cold milk upset newborn?

Though a cold bottle of milk will not hurt your baby in any way, you many run into issues trying to get them to drink it. If you already gave your baby a cold bottle of milk and you’re now feeling worried about that choice, don’t be! Your baby will be just fine.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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