With kids, you will sooner or later have to accept that you are not always in charge. One way to realize that is the number of unsuccessful times you may try to feed them cold milk.
Babies, especially those moving from breast to bottle, prefer warm milk instead of older kids who may tolerate less warm milk. That is where the bottle warmer comes in. It is fast, safe, and reliable when your child is howling in hunger at night.
We have made this article to help you get the best results with a bottle warmer. We hope you find it helpful; just make sure the features match your interests before purchasing. But first:
Do You Need a Bottle Warmer?
For the record, warming your baby’s bottle is not a must; the nutrition they get is what matters. But, you need a bottle warmer if:
- You often freeze your breastmilk and want a fast way to defrost it.
- Your child shows a clear preference for warm milk.
How To Use a Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is a relatively straightforward appliance to use. But we understand the maternal instinct to ensure that any baby-related gear is used correctly. Here, we answer some basic questions on using a bottle warmer, giving you confidence when operating yours.
Do I Add Water To the Warmer?
Most models require water to be added to the warming chamber up to a set line. Other models contain a reservoir that feeds water to the warming chamber automatically. Either one, the warming chamber, needs filling.
Using tap water has no issue because none of it enters the bottle or touches the nipple.
Do Bottle Warmers Work With Baby Formula and Breast Milk?
Yes, they do! Bottle warmers work with all pre-mixed or powdered baby formulas. They also do perfectly with breast milk and even frozen milk, provided they feature a defrost setting.
How Do Bottle Warmers Work?
Different water bottles work differently, with some using steam heat technology, others using a heating plate, and others using a water bath for heating.
Warmers that use steam heat technology require some water in the warming chamber to heat the bottle placed above the water. The hot steam uniformly and gently warms the milk to avoid damaging the milk’s nutrients.
For those that use a heating plate, the bottle is attached to the plate and heating according to the desired temperature. Water bath warming involves placing your bottle in the warmers water bath and selecting the desired temperature.
5 Factors To Consider In a Bottle Warmer for the Best Results
With the many bottle warmers available in the market, all packed with different features to make mothers’ lives easier, you should prioritize a warmer that suits you best for the best results. Remember these factors when deciding on which bottle warmer to invest in.
1. Warming Time
Every second counts when your child cries for their bottle, so it’s only fitting to go for a bottle warmer that gets the job done as fast as possible. It should also keep the recommended 98℉ serving temperature.
Warm-up your young one’s milk in less than 2 minutes with the ultra-quick Beaba bottle warmer with an advanced timer for accurate temperatures.
2. Fit
The warmer you choose should be compatible with your kid’s bottle size, shape, and material. For instance, the Philips Avent warmer best suits Philips Avent containers and bottles. Nevertheless, it can also work with many other bottle brands and bottles.
Other warmers like the Kiindie kozii bottle warmer can heat virtually any disposable or reusable container, including baby bottles, milk jars, milk pouches, liner bottles, or food jars, making it an excellent option for parents looking for an all compatible bottle warmer.
3. Transport and Portability
Portable bottle warmers are perfect for parents in their travels or outdoors. The convenience and reliability of such warmers make parenting on the go more manageable and less stressful. The Befano bottle warmer is an excellent example of a portable warmer with its wireless and leakproof design.
4. Smartphone App and Remote Control
These days bottle warmers are so convenient that they come with an app for extra convenience. You simply download the app, and there you are, controlling the bottle warmer from your phone. The Baby Brezza bottle warmer is one fine example of warmers that come with an app to control and alert you when warming your child’s food.
While other warmers may not feature an app, they may come with a handy remote for easy and convenient control. This may appeal to parents as they can begin warming up a bottle while still in bed and pick it up only after warming is done. The First Years bottle warmer is an excellent example of a remote-controlled warmer.
5. Defrosting Setting
Bottle warmers with the defrosting setting allow safe defrosting of frozen breastmilk or purees. It saves parents time taken to wait for manual melting. Try out the Philips Avent Bottle warmer for a gentle and quick defrost.
What Is the Advantage of Warm Milk?
There is no considerable advantage of warm milk over cold milk. However, it is worth noting that warm milk is easier for a child to digest than cold milk because less energy is used to warm it up in their belly.
Are Bottle Warmers Safe?
Bottle warmers are the safest way to heat your child’s milk without causing hot spots that may scald their mouth. They also heat milk evenly and without rush, preserving nutrients and vitamins that are vital for the growth of your little one.
Final Word
You may have been contemplating getting a bottle warmer for your child. Well, that’s a great idea, but without some information, you may get what you didn’t want or get a bad experience with a bottle warmer.
When choosing a bottle warmer, keep in mind some of the insights in this article. They might help you decide what is suitable for you and your baby.
But remember that to get the best results with a bottle warmer, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Good luck!