As a new parent, you go home from the hospital with more than a baby. You also go home with a vast list of dos and don'ts. As you try to manage all these guidelines, it can be extremely overwhelming. When it comes to feeding, the debate can be fierce. If you have made the choice to use formula to feed your baby, then you have already made a major decision. Now, as you move forward with formula feeding, you have to worry about preparation guidelines. This leads to the question, "Can babies drink cold formula?"
Proper Formula Preparation
Before you get into the nuances of temperature, you should start by making sure you know the basics of formula preparation. If you choose a powder, then you will have to mix in the right amount of water. In most cases, the formula comes with the scoop you need to measure out the right amount. After adding the correct amount of water to the bottle, you will want to shake the bottle to mix the powder with the water thoroughly. As an added tip, make sure the cap is on the bottle. If you shake the bottle without a secure top, then you may have formula everywhere.
Some formulas are a liquid concentration, which means that they still need to be mixed with water. You may also purchase a fully prepared formula. These formulas offer the most convenience, but they can be more expensive than other variations. After your formula is properly mixed, some people would tell you to warm your bottle up. That is why most new parents ask the question, "Can babies drink cold formula?" To answer this question, keep reading.
The Disadvantages of Cold Formula
The common thought is when there is a baby drinking cold formula, then there is going to be an unhappy baby as a result. Some parents attribute fussiness and digestion issues to cold baby formula. In other words, some parents believe that when a baby drinks cold formula, it will upset his or her little stomach. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that supports this theory. Many new parents struggle to calm their baby's stomach, and it can be a trial to find a formula that minimizes gas and indigestion. In that sense, experimenting with warm formula only makes sense. If your baby responds better to warm formula, then it might be time to ditch the colder variations and go with what your baby prefers.
While this makes a lot of sense, it is important to note that it is all anecdotal. There is research out there about the temperature of formula. These researchers have also asked the question, "Can babies drink cold formula?" The answer may surprise you.
The Facts on Cold Baby Formula
Simply put, there is no evidence that warming up the formula is any healthier or safer for your baby. However, some babies do have preferences when it comes to their food. For some babies, colder formula just does not taste as good. In these situations, the baby may be fussy until a warmer formula is provided. If this is the case for your baby, then providing a warm formula may streamline the feeding process. While there is no scientific need to give your baby warm formula, new parents should always make choices that make their lives and their babies' lives happier.
Creating Your Formula Routine
Ultimately, if you do not want to give your baby warm formula, then never give them the option. Most parents have difficulties when they try to introduce colder formula after providing a warmed up bottle. If you start your baby off without warming up the bottle, then your baby will have no point of reference. This will allow them to accept a cold bottle with much less fuss. In this manner, you can create a feeding routine without warming the bottle. You may focus on other elements of comfort instead. You may choose to feed your baby with a special blanket in a comfortable chair. Therefore, these factors will become a source of comfort instead of the warmth of the bottle.
More Important Considerations
The fact is that the temperature of your formula is not the most important choice you will make. When you finalize your feeding routine, you should look much more closely at the quality of the formula itself. For example, do you want a cow-based product or one that is based on goat milk? You could look at options like Lebenswert, which is organic and made in Germany. While it can be tempting to save money with cheaper formulas, opting for an organic formula is probably the safest and healthiest choice. At the very least, the type of formula will matter much more to your baby than the temperature.