The temperature of the bottle for babies is often a concern for new parents.
- Should you give the bottle warm, cold, or at room temperature?
- And behind these different terms, what is, in reality, the exact temperature you should aim for? 😲
- Are there risks or good practices to know?
- Moreover, does your baby’s age have any impact on this topic?
Élhée answers all your questions to ensure optimal bottle preparation every time.
SUMMARY
- What is the ideal bottle temperature for a newborn?
- How to test the temperature of a bottle?
- How to warm up newborn milk while traveling?
- Baby grows up... Do you still need to warm the milk in their bottle?
- In summary
What is the ideal bottle temperature for a newborn?
Let’s proceed in chronological order.
For newborns, it is recommended to give the bottle at a temperature close to body temperature (that is, 98.6°F). This temperature matches what is experienced during breastfeeding and also helps your baby better digest the milk. Over time, some babies tolerate slightly different temperatures, sometimes warmer or not, according to their preferences.
- Did you just pump your milk but it feels cold?
- Are you wondering if you can heat a freshly prepared bottle in the microwave?
Read this: Bottles in the microwave: what dangers for babies?
How to test the temperature of a bottle?
There are two ways to know, with varying accuracy, the temperature of the milk in a bottle.
Check the temperature yourself
The traditional method to test a bottle’s temperature is to pour a few drops of milk on the inside of your wrist. This area, which is very sensitive, helps you check that the milk is neither too hot nor too cold.
If the drop of milk feels comfortable, you can safely offer the bottle to your child. Milk that's too hot would have burned your skin.
Use a kitchen thermometer
A more contemporary and reliable way is to use a food thermometer to accurately measure the milk’s temperature. Digital thermometers are commonly used for this purpose, as they provide a fast and precise reading.
Be sure to place the thermometer in the milk for a few moments and wait for it to beep and/or for the numbers to stabilize, depending on the model (we recommend checking the manual if you are concerned about misreading it).
How to warm up newborn milk while traveling?
It’s not always easy to get milk to 98.6°F when away from home. Some solutions, such as thermoses specially designed to hold a bottle and keep it at the desired temperature, do exist.
Additionally, if you’re with friends, chances are they’ll be happy to warm your bottle in a water bath for you.
Another solution is not to prepare bottles too far in advance, especially if you don't have a portable electric cooler that you can plug into your vehicle.
In this case, expressing milk right before mealtime is certainly the safest way to feed your child at the desired temperature. Freshly pumped milk won’t have much time to cool down, as long as you give it directly to your baby once expressed.
There are also lightweight, compact manual breast pumps available.
Did you know? 🍼Our silicone bottles are compatible with some breast pumps, thanks to adapters developed to make your daily life easier and ensure compatibility between your different equipment.
Baby grows up... Do you still need to warm the milk in their bottle?
Some babies are more attached to their routines and will prefer to drink warm milk morning, noon, and night! Others may enjoy sipping it cold. You can also take the season into account; it can be comforting for a baby to have warm milk in winter and cool milk in summer! 🌞
The essential thing is always to make sure that the milk’s temperature poses no risk of burning your baby.
In summary
The question of the bottle’s temperature for babies, which is often an anxiety-inducing source of uncertainty for new parents, is actually not a mystery and has simple answers.
From birth until about 6 months of age, it is recommended to give the bottle at a temperature close to body temperature, or 98.6°F, to mimic the temperature of breast milk during nursing.
You can check the milk’s temperature either by:
- Placing a drop of powdered or breast milk on your wrist
- Using a food thermometer.
It’s best not to prepare the bottle too far in advance if you don't have a way to keep it at the desired temperature or to check it. As your baby grows, their tastes may change and they may be interested in cold milk, or become more tolerant of slightly warmer milk.
Related topics:
- 4 tips for successful pumping
- Premature bottle feeding: how to feed a baby born early?
- How long can you keep a bottle?
