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Food

23rd Jun 2017

Doctor urges caution over giving ice lollies to babies

Would you agree?

Anna O'Rourke

It’s one of the easiest ways to keep them happy in the heat.

We all scream for ice cream in warm weather and it’s the same for our little ones.

Many mums turn to ice pops or even breast milk ice lollies to cool their babies down, but a doctor in the UK has urged parents to be cautious.

Dr Carol Cooper told the Mirror that cold ice pops could potentially damage a baby’s lips, mouth and tongue.

“When you think of a teething ring, there is no contact with the ice and silicon usually protects the baby’s mouth,” she said.

“What worries me is direct contact with ice as this can cause what doctors call ‘thermal injuries.’

“Breast milk should be given to babies at the right consistency and temperature – as it is. If your baby needs cooling down, there are other ways such as taking layers off.”