Can I heat breast milk that has been expressed?

MMMM….WE ALL KNOW HOW COMFORTING A WARM CUP OF MILK IS, SO IT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT MANY BABIES LIKE IT IN THEIR TUMMIES LIKE THIS TOO.

When babies take milk from the breast, it’s at blood temperature so milk doesn’t have to be warmed for babies to like it – room temperature is fine too. But if you choose to then, then warming breast milk is completely safe and easy to do.

Depending on where you are, you might like to consider these different options:

Place the bottle in a bowl of warm water and then once it is warmed to room temperature, shake to ensure an even temperature throughout. Warming for too long

can cause bacteria to develop, so under 15 minutes is ideal.

Use our bottle warmer to get the perfect feed every time. It intelligently heats milk to the right temperature depending on the starting temperature, bottle type and amount of milk.

If you are out and about, you may want to consider a Travel Bottle Warmer like this one, which will fit neatly in your changing bag.
At the risk of sounding like we’re finger-wagging please, please remember never to heat breast milk in a microwave or boil it. It will destroy all the good stuff and you are also at risk of burning your baby’s mouth, as it can create hot spots.

Ever wondered why people squirt milk on their wrists to test the temperature? The skin here is thin and sensitive, just like your baby’s, so this serves as a reliable guide. It should feel warm not hot. All OK? Then you’re good to feed!