Warming baby’s bottle (breastmilk)
First thing’s first, do you have to warm baby’s bottles?
With a healthy, full term baby, chances are you don’t need to warm baby’s bottle! It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to warm your baby’s bottle or give it cold. Some babies may prefer warm milk, while others prefer cold milk! If you only give your baby warm bottles, they may develop a preference and refuse to take a cold one.
be sure to follow the advice given to you by baby’s medical team - they may recommend warming baby’s bottles in certain situations (premature baby)
If you decide to warm baby’s bottle, here are some important things to know:
The way you warm baby’s bottle is important!
It should never be warmed in the microwave as this can destroy nutrients and create hot spots that can scald baby’s mouth and throat
It should not be warmed above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), as this can destroy breastmilk nutrients and components
No matter how you choose to warm your breastmilk, it is important to check the temperature before giving the bottle to baby! (typically by placing some of the milk from the bottle on your wrist to ensure it is not too hot)
Remember, breastmilk should not be HOT!! The goal really should be to get it to room temperature or slightly above if you choose the warming route!
Different methods of safely warming baby’s bottle:
In a bowl or container of warm water (water should not exceed the bottle’s collar or lid to avoid contamination of the nipple)
Under running warm water
In a bottle warmer - be cautious as to which bottle warmer you use! Not all bottle warmers are created equal and some may heat the milk over 104 degrees!
If you decide to go the bottle warmer route, my personal and professional favorite is the Papablic bottle warmer (it has a setting specifically for breastmilk that keeps the temperature in a safe range and swirls the bottle while it heats to ensure even distribution of heat)
For visual learners here is a link to my Instagram video on this same topic:
-this post may contain affiliate links at not additional cost to you-Sources Cited:
Effects of Different Thawing and Warming Processes on Human Milk Composition
Effects of microwave radiation on anti-infective factors in human milk
Cincinnati Children’s Health Library: Warming Formula or Breastmilk
