Does Warm Formula Help With Reflux? Things to take care of

As a new mother, I can’t help but continuously ask myself, “does warm formula help with reflux?” We mommies tend to have multiple queries as we don’t want to do something that harms our little ones. Right? 

Lactation experts believe that a baby’s milk temperature does not have any associated health risks or benefits.

The warm baby formula helps with reflux in comparison to cold formula. It’s important to control the temperature of the warm formula and keep it lukewarm — not hot.

Sometimes, after drinking milk, babies can be fussy and irritated. It might be because they consume warm formula milk.

Benefits of Feeding Baby Warm Formula

I have come across certain benefits of feeding a baby with warm formula. 

1. Breastfeed milk temperature 

The temperature of breast milk is similar to warm formula milk, which is about 98 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that from the beginning, breastfed babies get relatively warm milk. The babies are more familiar with drinking warm formula milk than a cold one. Hence, this helps in encouraging babies to drink milk in good quantity. 

Read: How To Avoid Baby Vomiting After Feeding

2. Cold formula side-effects

While clearing the air of confusion that does warm formula help with reflux, it is believed that babies who are fed with cold formula milk show regular signs of an upset stomach.

An upset stomach will further cause irritation and pain to the child and increase their crankiness. Hence, it is better to opt for warm formula milk. 

3. Better energy levels 

Also, babies are happier and more lively when they are fed warm formula milk. This is because babies are more familiar with the consumption of warm formula milk.

It is understood that when babies are fed cold milk, their bodies make use of their existing energy to warm it. Hence, it might feel weaker and more irritating.

Does Warm Formula Help With Reflux

How To Help a Baby With Reflux? Does Warm Formula Help With Reflux?

If you have this question, “does warm formula help with reflux?”, here are some ways to help your baby feel more comfortable. 

  1. Help your baby walk or put the child in a rocking chair in different positions. 
  2. Opt for more burping sessions during feedings.
  3. Use a warm towel or a warm bottle and wrap your baby in that. But, make sure that it is not too hot as it might cause harm to the child. 
  4. Place the baby upside down in your lap and rub the baby’s back. 

Recommended Read: How Much Milk Should A 1 Year Old Be Drinking?

How To Prevent Reflux In Babies? 

When your baby shows signs of reflux, consider the following natural remedies to prevent reflux in babies:

1. Don’t Overfeed The Baby:

Babies tummies are small, which means if you fill the tummy too full, it will leak out. Therefore avoid overfeeding your baby.

2. Make Feedings Smaller And More Frequent:

If your baby is formula-fed or bottle-fed, give him smaller feeds more often. By doing this, the Baby will have fewer stomachaches and reflux will decrease because there will be less to regurgitate. 

It’s natural that some baby reflux prefers to eat this way; others get cranky if their full feeding isn’t given quickly. If you stick with this new schedule for a few days, your baby should adjust to it.

3. Take Time To Help Your Baby Burp:

It is important to burp your baby frequently during and after feedings to prevent air build-up in the stomach. This will help to release gas and reduce reflux symptoms.

4. Keeping The Baby Upright While Feeding:

After feeding, keep the baby upright on your shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help to prevent milk from escaping the stomach and thus make it easier for it to pass down the lower intestine to make more space in the stomach. 

5. Put Baby To Sleep On His Or Her Back:

You should always place your baby on his or her back if you have reflux. It is the ideal position for babies to sleep in and it also reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).


Is Cold Formula Better For Reflux?

According to some experts, a warm formula is better for reflux than cold formula. Although it is common for babies to be fussy and irritated after drinking milk. It is usually because they drink warm formula milk. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can serve your baby formula or milk at room temperature as long as they do not have an intolerance. 


Does Cold Formula Help With Reflux?

Babies often experience reflux since their esophageal muscles are still immature. Some studies show that feeding babies in an upright position can reduce this condition for some, but others will require medicine for a considerable period of time. Babies who are experiencing reflux may be spitting up after they feed. The cold formula does not cause this.

Mother feeding a newborn baby from the bottle at home.
Mother feeding a newborn baby from the bottle at home.

What are the signs of reflux in babies? 

Here are some of the signs of reflux in babies.

How to prevent reflux in babies? 

  • Go for smaller but frequent feeding sessions 
  • Take time to help your baby burp 
  • Prefer feeding the baby by sitting in an upright position 
  • Try and help the baby to develop a habit of sleeping on the back 

When to see a doctor for baby reflux?

One should consult a doctor if one experience the below symptoms in infants

  • Weight loss
  • Spit up regularly
  • Experience reflux on a regular basis
  • Is not gaining weight
  • Shows signs of milk protein allergy
  • Facing problems in eating solid foods

Bottom Line

I’ll suggest feeding the baby with warm formula. As it is, our tiny tots are making a shift from breastfeeding to bottle feeding.

It is better to help them develop a habit by providing them with something similar. The temperature of breast milk and the warm formula is quite similar. It encourages the babies to drink more milk in a better way.

But if the acid reflux continues till the age of 2, this could be a sign of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Is it necessary to feed the child with warm formula milk?

It is a personal choice. You may or may not warm it. It depends on your child’s preference, as some children do fine with drinking milk at room temperature.

Does cold formula cause gas?

Owing to my confusion, I researched a bit about whether cold formula milk causes gas in babies or not. Some mothers feed their babies with cold milk wrapped in a warm cloth to make it lukewarm. Feeding babies with cold milk can be sensitive, and they can develop gas which further causes them to get irritated and cranky. 

Does Warming A Bottle Help With Reflux?

Yes, warming a bottle helps with reflux but make sure the bottle does not get too hot. Warm baby formula helps with infant reflux more than cold formula.

If you give your baby warm formula, allow her to control the flow using her tongue. Most babies enjoy warm bottles. 

Some babies may not enjoy colder formulas as much. If the formula is too cold for the baby, he or she may be fussy. Providing your baby with warm formula may help streamline the feeding process.

Although it is not scientifically necessary to give your baby warm formula, you should always make choices that make your life and your baby’s life better.

The cold formula is not harmful to babies, but it may cause colic and other stomach upsets.

The formula should be at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator. It is best to keep the room temperature at regular levels.

Does Warm Formula Help With Reflux?

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