Warming a bottle without a warming device may be unreliable, time-consuming and the last thing you want to do sometime between midnight and sunrise. Baby-gear experts all have an opinion about what items are safe for use with your infant. Microwaving a bottle can leave hot or cold spots in the milk and put your baby at risk for burns. Using the stove can take longer than you or your baby want to wait. Speedy bottle warmers are a simple way to remove the cold from your baby's meal.
Step 1
Set your bottle warmer up before you need to use it. This will save you the hassle of comforting your baby while putting things together. Place it on a flat surface near an outlet. Some models do not use water to heat the bottle, but those that do require a specific amount of water. Measure the indicated amount of water for the device. Some models have a special vial for holding the correct amount of water.
Step 2
Prepare your baby's bottle with the right amount of water and formula, if applicable. Swirl the powder with the water to ensure that it is fully mixed. Avoid shaking to limit any excess air that your baby may swallow.
For frozen breast milk, you may have to complete two cycles of heating before it is both thawed and warmed. You can save time by leaving the frozen milk in the refrigerator to thaw before using. Consult the manual of your warmer to determine if you can double the amount of water to thaw and warm the milk. Some models recommend multiple heating sessions instead.
Step 3
Pour the water into the basin of the bottle warmer and plug it into an outlet. For models that do not require water, just plug the warmer into an outlet.
Step 4
Place the bottle or container with the milk into the basin of the bottle warmer. Be sure to remove any lids or caps from the formula or milk receptacle. The heat can cause pressure inside the bottle from air. This needs to be expelled before your baby beings eating. Turn the device on.
Step 5
Wait until the warmer signals that the bottle is warm before removing it and testing the milk on your inner wrist. The milk should be lukewarm. Some devices will beep, while others will either turn a light on or off to let you know that the bottle is warm. Swirl the milk once more to ensure that no hot spots or cold spots exist before feeding your baby.
Tips and Warnings
- When using premixed formulas, you may be able to place the container directly in the warmer if it is hard plastic or glass. Be sure to remove the lid before heating.
- Do not use bottles with liners in a bottle warmer unless the model specifies that you can. Instead, use a separate container to heat the formula and place into the bottle. Test the outer bottle temperature before letting it touch your skin or your baby's skin. Some warmers can make the container itself very warm. Do not use plastic collection bags with breast milk in the warmer, as they can burst with heat, causing them to leak.
Things You'll Need
- Baby bottle warmer
- Bottle
- Water measured for bottle
- Formula measured for bottle
- Frozen or thawed breast milk
- Extra water for warmer
