Researchers looked at five studies involving 373 newborns to see if the temperature of breast milk affects how babies’ bodies respond during feeding. They found that whether breast milk is warm, room temperature, or body temperature doesn’t make a meaningful difference in babies’ heart rate, oxygen levels, or body temperature. Babies also reached full feeding at similar rates regardless of milk temperature. This suggests that parents and healthcare providers have flexibility in how they prepare breast milk without worrying that temperature significantly impacts a baby’s health or feeding success.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the temperature of breast milk (warm versus room temperature versus body temperature) affects how newborns’ bodies respond during feeding and their ability to tolerate milk.
  • Who participated: 373 newborn babies across five different research studies, including both full-term and premature infants.
  • Key finding: Breast milk temperature did not significantly affect babies’ heart rate, oxygen levels, or body temperature whether measured 5 or 30 minutes after feeding. Babies also progressed to full feeding at the same rate regardless of milk temperature.
  • What it means for you: Parents and hospitals don’t need to stress about getting breast milk to the perfect temperature. Room temperature, warm, or body temperature milk all work equally well for babies. This gives families more flexibility and reduces unnecessary worry about milk preparation.

The Research Details

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, which means researchers searched through nine different medical databases for all studies published between 2010 and 2025 that compared breast milk at different temperatures. They found five studies that met their quality standards and combined the results to see if patterns emerged. Two independent reviewers checked each study’s quality and extracted the data to reduce mistakes. The researchers used statistical tools to combine the results and determine whether differences between groups were real or just due to chance.

By combining results from multiple studies, researchers can see the bigger picture rather than relying on one small study. This approach is especially important when individual studies show mixed results. A systematic review following strict guidelines (like the Cochrane Handbook) helps ensure the conclusions are reliable and not influenced by researcher bias.

The included studies had varying levels of quality, ranging from low to serious risk of bias. There was substantial variation (heterogeneity) in how results were measured across studies, which means some caution is warranted when interpreting findings. However, the consistent lack of significant differences across multiple studies strengthens confidence in the main conclusion.

What the Results Show

When researchers combined data from all five studies, they found no statistically significant differences in heart rate, oxygen saturation (how much oxygen is in the blood), or body temperature between babies fed warm milk versus room temperature or other temperatures. These measurements were taken both 5 minutes and 30 minutes after feeding. The time it took babies to progress to full enteral feeding (feeding through the mouth or feeding tube without IV support) was also similar across all temperature groups. One small finding showed a slight temporary decrease in body temperature 5 minutes after feeding in one group, but this difference was not sustained and was not clinically meaningful—meaning it didn’t affect the baby’s health or care.

The analysis revealed substantial variation in how different studies measured outcomes, suggesting that future research should use more standardized methods. The risk of bias assessment showed that while some studies were well-designed, others had methodological limitations that could affect their results. Despite these variations, the consistency of findings across studies—showing no meaningful differences—adds confidence to the overall conclusion.

Individual studies had suggested potential benefits of warmed milk, but when all the evidence was combined, these benefits did not hold up. This is a common pattern in medical research where small studies may show promising results that don’t replicate in larger analyses. The current findings align with the principle that breast milk’s nutritional and immunological benefits are not dependent on temperature.

Only five studies met the inclusion criteria, which is a relatively small number for a meta-analysis. The studies varied in how they measured outcomes and in their overall quality. Some studies had small sample sizes. The research focused mainly on short-term measurements (5 and 30 minutes after feeding), so we don’t know if temperature might matter for longer-term outcomes. Most studies involved hospitalized newborns, so results may not apply equally to all feeding situations.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence (moderate confidence), breast milk can be safely given at room temperature, body temperature, or warmed without concern that temperature significantly affects newborn safety or feeding tolerance. Healthcare providers and parents should feel comfortable choosing the temperature that is most practical and convenient. This recommendation is particularly relevant for hospitals and home settings where warming milk may not always be feasible.

This research is most relevant to parents, nurses, lactation consultants, and pediatricians involved in feeding newborns, especially premature infants in hospital settings. It’s particularly helpful for families in resource-limited settings where warming milk may be difficult. The findings apply to both breast milk expression and direct breastfeeding situations.

Since temperature doesn’t appear to affect feeding tolerance or physiological stability, there’s no waiting period to see benefits. The effects (or lack thereof) are immediate, as measured within minutes of feeding.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track milk temperature used at each feeding session and note any feeding tolerance issues (spitting up, feeding time, baby comfort). Over 1-2 weeks, users can see whether temperature correlates with any feeding challenges for their individual baby.
  • Users can experiment with different milk temperatures (room temperature, slightly warm, body temperature) and log which temperature their baby seems most comfortable with, removing the pressure to achieve a specific temperature and allowing personalized preferences to guide decisions.
  • Create a simple log noting milk temperature, feeding duration, and baby’s response (comfort level, feeding completion). This helps parents identify their baby’s individual preferences while reducing unnecessary anxiety about achieving perfect milk temperature.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual babies may have unique needs or conditions that require specific feeding protocols. Parents and caregivers should consult with their pediatrician, lactation consultant, or healthcare provider regarding their specific infant’s feeding needs, especially if the baby has special medical conditions, prematurity complications, or feeding difficulties. This summary reflects research current as of January 2026 and may not account for newer findings.