How To Warm Breast Milk?

May 7, 2021

Written by Jo Charnock

May 7, 2021

Written by Jo Charnock

Storing Your Breast Milk

Some tips for storing your precious breast milk: always label it with the date expressed; store it in the back of the fridge or freezer where it is coldest, not in the door; if you don’t think you will use freshly expressed milk within 4 days, freeze it right away; freeze in small amounts to avoid waste; and leave a little space at the top of the container because breast milk expands as it freezes.

Breast milk storage bags are an easy and convenient way to store and serve your breast milk to your baby.

How to Warm Breast Milk? - Heating Breast Milk

While there is no medical reason to heat your baby’s bottle, most babies prefer warm milk as that is the temperature they are familiar with from breastfeeding.

Frozen breastmilk should ideally be defrosted in the fridge, and can be stored there for up to 12 hours. Do not re-freeze breastmilk once it has thawed. If you have forgotten to defrost overnight, you can defrost it under cool then warm running water, or place it in a bowl of warm water. Never place breastmilk in the microwave, as this can create hotspots that can burn your baby’s mouth. Remember your breast milk needs to be warm, not hot.

If your milk has been stored for some time, you may notice that it separates. This is normal, so just give it a gentle shake to mix it up again.

While the traditional way is very reliable, it’s not very portable. So how do you warm breast milk when you’re a busy mum on the go? A portable bottle warmer could be the answer for heating breast milk on the go.

How to Heat Up Breast Milk in a Bottle Warmer

There are many different bottle warmers on the market, so always read the given instructions. Most bottle warmers take a few minutes to reach the desired temperature. Place the breast milk storage container in the designated heating space and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cherub Baby’s portable travel baby bottle warmers are easy to use and can be taken with you so you have a way to warm your baby’s bottle anytime, anywhere.

Can you thaw frozen breastmilk using a bottle warmer? Yes – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. But once it’s thawed, never refreeze your breastmilk.

How Long Can Breast Milk Stay in a Bottle Warmer?

As a general rule breast milk is good in a bottle warmer for a maximum of four hours for fresh breast milk, and two hours if your breastmilk has been previously stored and thawed. Always discard unused, thawed breast milk after two hours. Do not refreeze or reheat breast milk that was frozen and thawed.

Testing the Temperature

The most reliable way to test the temperature is to squeeze a few drops onto the inside of your wrist. The milk should feel neutral to your touch, not too hot and not too cold. Always test the temperature of your baby’s bottle before feeding to avoid burning your baby’s mouth.