From the Guidelines
There is no medical evidence suggesting harm to infants from consuming refrigerated breast milk that hasn't been completely warmed to body temperature. Cold or room temperature breast milk is safe for babies to consume, though many infants prefer warmed milk. When warming refrigerated breast milk, avoid using a microwave as it can create hot spots that might burn the baby's mouth and can destroy some beneficial components. Instead, warm the milk by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water or under warm running water until it reaches a comfortable temperature. Test the temperature by placing a few drops on your wrist before feeding.
Key Considerations
- The main concerns with breast milk handling relate to proper storage (refrigerated milk should be used within 4 days) and avoiding bacterial contamination, rather than the specific temperature at which it's served.
- Some babies may reject cold milk due to preference, but this is not a safety issue.
- The nutritional and immunological benefits of breast milk remain intact whether served cold, room temperature, or warm, as supported by various studies on breastfeeding outcomes 1.
Breastfeeding Outcomes
- Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of various conditions, including SIDS, infant mortality, and childhood obesity, as shown in several studies 1.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has been linked to a reduced risk of respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and otitis media, among other benefits 1.
- While the provided evidence does not directly address the temperature of breast milk, it emphasizes the importance of proper breastfeeding practices and handling to ensure the health and safety of infants.
From the Research
Breast Milk Temperature and Infant Health
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest harm to infants if breast milk from the fridge is not completely warmed to body temperature.
- The studies focus on the benefits of breast milk, its anti-infective properties, and the microbiota present in breast milk 2, 3, 4.
- They also discuss the potential risks of contamination and the presence of pollutants in breast milk, but do not address the issue of warming breast milk to body temperature 5, 6.
- The available evidence suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential harmful effects of pollutants contained in human milk 5.
- However, it is essential to handle and store breast milk properly to minimize the risk of contamination and maintain its anti-infectious properties 2, 6.
Handling and Storage of Breast Milk
- Bacterial contamination of mechanically extracted breast milk can occur, and high concentrations of bacteria are frequently observed in expressed breast milk 6.
- The pumping procedure and further transportation to the milk bank do not seem to influence the bacterial concentration in breast milk 6.
- It is crucial to follow proper handling and storage procedures to reduce the risk of contamination and preserve the health benefits of breast milk 2, 6.