Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam 2026 - Free Lactation Consultant Practice Questions and Study Guide

When formula made with hot water is to be fed to a baby immediately, it is essential to cool it quickly to body temperature. This action is crucial to ensure the safety and comfort of the infant during feeding. Formula that is too hot can burn a baby's mouth and throat, leading to potential injury.

Quickly cooling the formula helps to bring it down to a temperature suitable for an infant’s consumption without significant delay. This can typically be achieved by holding the bottle under cold running water or placing it in a container of cold water or ice while ensuring that the water does not enter the bottle.

Maintaining appropriate temperatures when preparing formula is paramount for both safety and nutritional integrity. Rapid cooling is also preferable over refrigeration or letting it sit at room temperature, as both methods can prolong the waiting time for feeding, increasing the risk of the formula being too hot during feeding or allowing bacterial growth if not refrigerated properly.