Can Babies Drink Cold Breastmilk?

Breastfeeding is one of the things new parents worry about most. How much should you feed your baby? How often? Should you nurse or use a bottle?

Storing your breastmilk in the refrigerator can make feeding a lot easier to navigate. It gives you flexibility and control over when, where, and how much you feed your little one. 

Breastmilk can retain its essential nutrients for a few days as long as it’s properly refrigerated. But can babies drink cold breastmilk? Is it better to warm it up? We’re here to answer all your questions about refrigerated breastmilk so you can make an informed choice.

Is It Safe To Feed Your Baby Cold Breastmilk?

Yes, it’s generally safe to feed your baby cold breastmilk. However, many babies prefer warm milk when feeding from a bottle. That’s because it more closely resembles the temperature of fresh milk from their mother’s breast.

Pros and Cons of Giving Your Baby Cold Breastmilk

Pros:

Some potential advantages of feeding your baby cold breastmilk include:

  • Convenience: It can take time to warm up stored milk; giving your baby chilled breastmilk can save time and make feeding sessions easier.
  • Pain relief: For teething babies, cold breastmilk can actually offer a soothing effect for their gums.
  • Nutrition: If you overheat breastmilk, it can lose some of its nutritional value.

    • Cons:

    Some potential drawbacks of feeding your baby cold breastmilk include:

  • Preference: Many babies simply prefer to drink warm breastmilk and won’t drink as much if it’s cold.
  • Digestive issues: Some babies have an easier time digesting warm milk.
  • Texture: If you’ve been storing your breastmilk in the fridge, the fat content tends to separate; this can make it more difficult to mix when preparing a bottle.

    • How Long Does Breastmilk Stay Safe?

    Breastmilk will eventually go bad. Feeding your baby spoiled milk can lead to a number of problems, including digestive issues, lack of nutrition, and even infection. It’s important to use proper storage methods and keep track of how long it’s been stored.

    Always keep an eye out for signs of spoiled breastmilk, which may include:

    • Sour smell
    • Discoloration (may look yellow, brown, or green)
    • Sour or foul taste
    • Clumpy texture (even when mixed)

    So for how long does breastmilk stay good? According to the CDC, it depends on how it’s stored.

    Room Temperature

    If you’ve just used a pump, milk can stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 hours. However, if you’ve thawed the milk after storing it in a freezer, it usually only lasts about 2 hours.

    Refrigerated

    Refrigerated breastmilk is typically good for about 4 days. But if it’s been thawed, you should throw it out after 24 hours. Keep in mind that refrigeration guidelines for baby formula differ from the guidelines for breastmilk.

    Frozen

    Breastmilk can typically be stored in your regular freezer for up to a year. However, it’s typically best to use it up before 6 months have past.

    Safe Ways To Warm Up Cold Breastmilk

    Bottle Warmer

    If you’re nervous about getting the temperature just right, you can buy a dedicated bottle warmer. These handy gadgets offer a safe, effective, and consistent way to warm bottles filled with breastmilk or formula. They’re designed to evenly heat the contents of a bottle. Just keep in mind they generally need to be plugged in, although some are battery-operated. 

    Always follow the instruction manual when using a bottle warmer, and test the temperature before giving it to your child.

    Warm Water Bath

    If you don’t have a bottle warmer or you’re traveling, you can heat up a bottle of milk or a milk-storage bag in a bowl of warm water. 

    Fill a bowl with warm water – you want to aim for about 98° F – and place the bottle or storage bag in the water. Let it sit for just a few minutes, periodically swirling the bottle to ensure it heats evenly. Then test the temperature and you’re good to go.

    Warm Water Shower

    A warm water shower is similar to the warm bath method, except you don’t need a bowl. Simply hold a bottle or storage bag of breastmilk under warm running water in the sink or bathtub, continuously swirling it to make sure it heats evenly. Don’t forget to test the temperature.

    Things To Avoid

    Never Warm Up Breastmilk in a Microwave

    It’s not recommended to heat up breastmilk or infant formula in a microwave. According to the CDC, studies suggest that microwaves heat milk and formula unevenly. This can create hot spots in the milk, which can burn your baby’s mouth or throat.

    Don’t Forget To Test the Temperature

    Whether you choose to feed your baby cold breastmilk or warm it up, you should always check the temperature first. 

    The most important thing is to make sure the milk isn’t too warm, as overheating breastmilk can burn your child or damage the nutritional quality of the milk. While it’s perfectly safe to give your baby cold or even frozen milk, you should always make sure you’re comfortable with the temperature.

    Avoid Boiling Breastmilk

    Boiling breastmilk leads to overheating. In addition to potentially burning your baby’s mouth, it can also denature the proteins, enzymes, and antibodies that are essential for babies’ health and development. 

    Final Thoughts

    Breastfeeding is a journey. Some moms prefer to nurse as much as possible, while others prefer to strictly bottle-feed, use formula or combo feed.

    If you're looking for a clean and nutritious formula for your baby, Aussie Bubs offers grass-fed cow and goat milk formulas that provide your baby with all the essential nutrients they need to grow healthy and happy.