When summer rolls around and it's hot as you-know-what outside, it's natural to grab a cold glass of water or lemonade to cool off. I mean, it's obviously common for adults and young children to drink and/or eat something cool during a hot summer day, but can babies have cold milk? Especially during the summer months when it's easily 1,000 degrees outside? Turns out, experts have a few suggestions to help you keep your baby cool in all that summer heat.
It used to be thought that all babies had to have warm milk, no matter the season, but that's old school, outdated thinking. In fact, there's no medical and/or scientific evidence to back that initial claim up. It essentially comes down to what every individual prefers and is willing to eat.
"Some babies will drink pumped milk straight from the fridge, cold. Other babies prefer it heated to body temperature," Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and Fellow of American College of Childbirth Educators (FACCE) Deena Blumenfeld of Shining Light Prenatal Education explains to Romper via an email. Blumenfeld went on to explain that sweltering temperatures don't have to dictate the temperature of the baby's bottle. "It's not necessary for baby to have a cold drink in the summer due to the weather," Blumenfeld says.
Basically, if your baby prefers a cold bottle, there's really nothing stopping you (at least from a safety standpoint) from providing them with a cool treat. It's all going to the same spot anyway. "Whatever you eat or drink is body temperature by the time it reaches the stomach," Dr. Charles Shubin, Director of Pediatrics at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, tells Romper via email. That means a little breast milk slushie won't do any harm to a hot baby.
If you are worried about your baby being dehydrating or overheating, the best thing you can do is keep them in the shade for as long as possible. Furthermore, as noted in the Baby Center, it's good to keep breastfeeding your baby as it helps to keep them hydrated. Whether it's through a bottle or directly at the breast, cold or warm, it doesn't matter as long as your baby is getting the nutrients they need.
If the hot temperatures have you feeling like a cool down is needed for your little cutie, then give a cold bottle of breast milk a try. Giving them a nice cold breast milk smoothie or formula flurry won't do any harm, and who knows, your baby might actually like it.
