Necessary to Warm Bottles?

Updated on January 28, 2009
L.D. asks from McKinney, TX
19 answers

Hello!
Just curious, is it absolutley necessary to warm baby bottles that have been in the fridge?
If so, does anyone know why? I know this sounds like a dumb question, but I am just trying to simplify things...

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone who responded. I absolutely love this website...especially being a first time mom. I have slowly been transitioning my daughter to cold bottles and she is doing just fine. Everyday I keep giving her the bottle cooler and cooler and she has taken to it just fine. Thanks again!

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T.L.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L.!
My oldest daughter never had a problem with bottles straight from the fridge or at room temp. My baby will take a cold bottle without issue but prefers it to be at room temp. I've noticed she slobbers more with a cold one.

Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

It is not necessary. My Dr. told me it was good I didn't warm them because it was easier on little tummies to be room temp.

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A.J.

answers from Dallas on

HI, Its not nessissary to safety to warm them but most babies like it body tempature like breast milk. plus it makes it easier to drink it from a bottle. warming it thins the liquid out and it comes out of the bottle easier so the baby does not have to suck so hard to get it out. (cold forumla is thick and formula tastes awful so warming it, Im sure, makes it better) :o)

It also is better on the tummy to warm it.

I usually warm my bottles (microwave safe bottles) in the microwave for like 20-30 seconds for cold milk/formula (not room temptature) depending on how many ounces... then I swirl it and rock it back and fourth gently to make sure the hot warm milk is not too hot in places then, I test it on the inside of my wrist before I give it. for room temptaure milk, only about 10-15 seconds tops.

Just practice with how long you need to warm it. Its so much eeasier and I have never had a problem doing that with all 3 of my boys as long as I make sure its not too warm before feeding.

Good luck
A. J

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L., The reason for warming the bottles is that cold formula can give your baby stomach aches ie: colic, gas, etc. You will find as time goes on that you can quit warming, maybe starting with taking the bottle out an hour or so prior to get it at least room temp and eventually they will prefer it cold from the icebox. As far as time line, it all depends on the baby. Each is different. Good luck and God Bless.

M.

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T.B.

answers from Dallas on

I was told by my sons NICU nurse that no bottles don't have to be warm. they can drink them cold, too. And it's totally okay. babies typically will take the warm milk better then cold. My son is 9 months now and take it either way.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I warmed up my son's bottles only a handful of times during his bottle-feeding months -- breastmilk from fridge or formula. He didn't care if it was warm or not. I think it depends on if the child prefers it warmer or not -- some simply don't take it cold and refuse to feed.
My son didn't care so it saved me a lot of time.
Here's something from a website I googled about the subject ... storknet.com

Why do I need to warm my baby's bottle, and what is the best way to do it?

Many new parents believe the common misconception that a baby's bottle should always be heated. In actuality, there is no medical reason to heat bottles before serving them. Some infants may prefer warm bottles, but most will happily accept a lukewarm or cold bottle. Try starting your baby off with a cold bottle, straight from the refrigerator; if he takes it, you have saved yourself a lot of time! You will appreciate this for those late night feedings!

If you do choose to warm your bottles, always remember to shake the bottle thoroughly after it has been warmed and test a few drops of the formula/breast milk on your wrist before giving it to baby. This will eliminate hot spots and ensure the temperature is just right.

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N.J.

answers from Dallas on

no- pedi said just give it to them- they'll get used to it.

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E.S.

answers from Dallas on

Of course it is not necessary but think how warm and comforting it is to them when you heat it.

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D.M.

answers from Dallas on

It's definitely not absolutely necessary. I warmed them - only slightly to take the chill off - about half of the time. The other half my son got them straight from the fridge and he was fine.

Also, I heard it's easier to transition to whole milk if you give them cold formula since you drink milk cold straight from the fridge. They're already used to drinking things cold.

Good luck and best wishes!

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D.M.

answers from Dallas on

When I went to bottles with my first two, I would just make the bottle with the infant water/flouride gallon that I kept in the pantry - it was room temperature. That being said, with my third one currently, I do warm his bottle to take the edge off - mostly because I think the water is "cold" from being in the pantry this winter. Good luck.

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

No, not necessary. Just usually babes don't like it cold, but if your little doesn't mind, then go for it!

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

It's not a dumb question at all. I found out from other moms that you don't need to warm them. My daughter hasn't had a warm bottle since we adopted her 7 1/2 months ago and she's as happy as a clam! She doesn't get tummy aches and she gets her bottle much faster than if I had to warm it. I make a pitcher in the morning for the day- it really does simplify things & allows me to get her fed immediately when she is hungry for a bottle. Give it a try- see what your baby thinks of a cold bottle. I don't know about you, but I like my milk ice cold! Good luck!

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D.W.

answers from Dallas on

I never heated my kids bottles up. i was too tired and i thought that when they turned 1 they would be drinking cold milk anyways!

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

No, its not necessary health-wise. Babies often prefer warmed bottles, or at least room temperature, because they are used to warm milk if you are breastfeeding. I had to supplement my milk supply with formula starting quite early, and I always fed the formula at room temperature, with no problem. When I took pumped milk out of the fridge I would stick it in a cup of warm water for a little while to get the chill off.

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

There is no medical reason to warm the bottles. It all depends on your little one. My son did not like a cold bottle. I had to do room temperature. I read about it and talked to my pediatrician, and everything I read was it depended on your baby.

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D.L.

answers from Dallas on

My pediatrician says it is NOT necessary to warm them. She said that in the past, the thinking was that we had to warm the bottles to body temp to match breastmilk, but no longer is this a recommendation. I have been giving my daughter bottles out of the fridge for weeks and she doesn't mid a bit!

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V.P.

answers from Dallas on

I am a 34 yr old first time mom too. I did not warm my bottles up at first but when my husband started being a stay at home Dad he had to warm the bottles or she would not drink from them for him.

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J.R.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think its necessary I think some babies will just take them easier, especially if they are breastfed and get used to the milk being luke warm. That being said if your baby will take the bottle cold it will make your life much easier (no baby screaming while you have to wait for the bottle to warm, no trying to find a place to warm it when you travel etc) If you continue warming it just be sure that you warm it in a cup of warm water and not in the microwave. I warmed my first one for the whole first year (partly because that was what we were taught in the NICU, she was a preemie and was my first), I sometimes warmed my second one but he would take them either way and I lucked out with my third and she nursed exclusively so no thought had to be given to it and I had no trouble transitioning any of them to whole cold milk.

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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

funny isn't it? when the bottles are being toted about sans a fridge/microwave, the child takes the bottle. a warm bottle/food, fill the stomach, and hope the baby goes to sleep with "warmth".

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