Like most baby-related gear, bottle warmers are fairly simple, but you definitely want to be sure you are using it correctly.Many of the basic questions you might have about using a bottle warmer are answered in this article, so keep reading to learn more about baby gadgets.If you are still debating whether or not to get a bottle warmer, read on for some helpful advice.
Step 1: It takes 3-6 minutes to warm a bottle.
Faster bottle warming is better when your baby is wailing in the middle of the night.Even the fastest bottle warmers take at least 3 minutes to warm up a bottle of breast milk or formula.Many warmers can warm frozen bottles, but it will take more than one hour.Reducing the warmer setting on your device could speed things up.There isn't a hard-and-fast rule that says you have to warm the bottle to body temperature.Warming to a lower setting like 80 F may get the job done quicker and more effectively.
Step 2: You can put water in the warming chamber or the reservoir.
With most models, you put the bottle into the warming chamber and then add water to the chamber until it reaches a set line.Water is automatically fed into the warming chamber in some models.In this case, you don't need to do anything else.Follow the instructions for your model.No water goes into the bottle or onto the nipple when you use plain tap water here.
Step 3: Program the proper device setting after putting the bottle in.
Most bottle warmers are easy to use, so you don't have to read and follow the instructions.If you want to make sure no warming water gets onto or into the nipple, put the filled bottle in the warming chamber with its cap on.Water must be added to the chamber until it reaches the designated line.Press the button if you want to warm up.Depending on your model, remove the bottle when the cycle is over.If there are any hot spots, give the contents of the bottle a gentle swirl.You can use the old trick of dribbling milk or formula on the underside of your wrist to be extra careful.
Step 4: Any milk you can give your baby can be put in a warmer.
If a bottle warmer has a defrost feature, frozen breast milk can be used.Any type of baby formula can be warmed.Before warming powdered formula, mix it as normal.While the device can warm cow's milk, you shouldn't feed a baby any other type of milk other than breast milk or formula until they are at least 1 year old.Pre-mixed formula can be kept in the fridge for 48 hours.The powdered formula can be kept refrigerated for 24 hours.Breast milk can be refrigerated for four days or frozen for six months.
Step 5: If your model does not have an auto-shutoff feature, do not do this.
It can be tempting to leave your bottle warmer on so that it warms up your baby's bottle more quickly.Slow cookers are a fire hazard because they aren't designed to stay on for long stretches.If you want to keep the warmer on for long periods, play it safe and shut it off regardless of the newer models' auto-shutoff features.Warm water can speed up the warming process.Run your faucet until the water is warm, or fill an insulated thermos with hot water at the beginning of the day or night.
Step 6: If a bottle has been used, it is safest to warm it once.
Warming a bottle increases the chance ofbacterial growth and should not be done.If your baby has fed from a bottle, you should discard any remaining milk or formula within 60 minutes.
Step 7: Most bottle warmers can be used for baby food.
You can warm baby food with your device if the jar or container fits into the warming chamber.Follow the process for warming a milk or formula bottle if you look for baby food instructions in the product guide.You can test the temperature on your wrist or mouth by giving the baby food a stir.before serving it.The leftover baby food should not be reheated with a bottle warmer.The food will not get warm enough to kill thebacteria.If you want your baby to eat leftovers, keep them at a safe temperature.If the leftovers contain meat or eggs, they should be thrown out after 48 hours if they only contain fruits, vegetables, or grains.
Step 8: It's a convenient device for many caregivers.
A bottle warmer is a basic device that warms up the water in the bottle.You can achieve the same results by heating a pan of water on the stove or microwave and putting the bottle in the water until it reaches the desired temperature.Some people say it is okay to warm up milk or formula in the microwave, but most experts advise against this.The hot spots may get hot enough to kill off beneficial nutrients.Use the microwave only to heat up the water, not the milk or formula.
Step 9: Babies like drinking cool or cold milk.
Breast milk and formula are the same regardless of whether you serve it at body temperature, room temperature or chilled.If your baby is given milk or formula at an unfamiliar temperature, it will almost always pass quickly.According to some experts, serving milk or formula at a different temperature helps prepare babies for eating and drinking in the way kids and adults do.It is possible for premature babies to benefit from only drinking milk or formula at body temperature.Talk to your baby's doctor.It is often said that cool or cold milk is more likely to cause tummy trouble in babies, but the evidence for this is much more anecdotal than scientific.