Formulated milk is a popular and proven alternative or complement to breastfeeding. Parents reaching for infant formula may initially not know how to prepare and administer it. The temperature of formula milk is of great importance because it directly affects the health, safety and comfort of the child. In this article we will look at this issue from different perspectives and answer the following questions:
- Does the temperature of preparing and serving formula matter?
- At what temperature should formula be dissolved?
- Can you give your baby cold formula?
- Can you heat formula milk?
Does the temperature of formula preparation matter?
Yes – the temperature of milk preparation is important.
Where does this come from?
Infant formula is intended as an effective substitute for breast milk and has been formulated to mimic the nutritional composition of human milk. The production process of such milk is strictly regulated and monitored to meet national and international quality criteria. It is a safe alternative to breastfeeding, however, in order for it to fully fulfill its intended purpose, it must be properly prepared.
Temperature plays a major role here. It not only affects the child's safety and comfort of eating, but also affects the solubility of some nutrients. Therefore, formula milk prepared at too high or too low a temperature may not be a complete product for the child. To avoid this, simply follow the milk manufacturer's preparation instructions.
At what temperature should formula be dissolved?
Detailed information on how to prepare formula milk can be found on the product packaging. The vast majority of manufacturers recommend dissolving milk in boiled water, cooled to a temperature of 37-40 degrees Celsius. The powder will not dissolve in water that is too cold , and in addition, lumps may form in the milk, which are difficult and dangerous for infants and small children to swallow. They may even make breastfeeding completely impossible. In turn, if the water is too hot, the milk will lose its valuable nutritional properties. Before feeding, shake the bottle and check the temperature of the milk on your wrist or the back of your hand. Milk given to your baby should be lukewarm , never hot.
Can you give your baby cold formula?
The answer is yes, you can! :) It all depends on the child's preferences - your little one may simply prefer cold formula. So why is warm formula given? This is due to, among others, due to the fact that it is then closer to the temperature of mother's milk. Many parents find that warm milk is more relaxing for their children. But this is not the rule. The key is to properly prepare the meal in advance.
Can you heat formula milk?
It is best to prepare formula milk a moment before consumption - it should be given to the child within two hours. If you want to heat already prepared formula milk, use a bottle warmer or try the old method: place the bottle in a bowl of warm water. Avoid heating formula in the microwave - this can result in uneven heating and create "hot spots" that you may not feel when you check the formula on your wrist.
To sum up, formula milk is a safe and effective method of feeding children from the first day of life. To fully extract all the nutrients contained in the mixture, it must be prepared at the appropriate temperature. An ideal solution and a great help for parents who feed their children with formula milk and at the same time value comfort and mobility is our portable MyBabyBottle heater . The wireless bottle allows you to prepare milk at the perfect temperature anytime and anywhere, so you can enjoy every moment while walking, in the park or while traveling.