How to Heat Baby Milk in the Microwave

Warm your baby's bottle to the preferred temperature using the microwave.

Baby formula or breast milk that's been refrigerated is often warmed before feeding it to a baby. Baby milk can be heated in a pan of water on the stove top or warmed in a bowl of warm water. For faster and more convenient warming of baby milk, using the microwave is efficient and, with trial and error, you learn the exact amount of time needed to warm your baby's milk to perfection.

Things You'll Need

• Glass or heavy plastic baby bottles

Instructions

1. Pour the baby milk into a glass or heavy plastic baby bottle. Leave the nipple and cap off the bottle for heating.

2. 

   A microwave heats and cooks in quick and convenient amounts of time.

   Place the bottle in the microwave and heat on "High" for 20 seconds. Stir or shake the bottle to distribute the microwave heat throughout the milk. Sprinkle two or three drops of baby milk on the skin inside your wrist to test the temperature.

3. Heat the baby milk in the microwave again, in 10-second increments, until it reaches the right temperature. The milk should feel slightly warm on the inside of the wrist.

Tips & Warnings

• When baby milk is heated until too hot, allow it to sit in a bowl of lukewarm water to help it cool down.

• Always shake the baby bottle before giving it to the baby. The microwave heats from the center of the food or liquid to the outside and the milk on the outside might feel fine, while the milk in the center may be too hot.

• Avoid heating baby milk in thin plastic bottles or plastic bottle liners as the heat from the microwave can weaken or melt the plastic.

References

• National Network for Child Care: Keeping Food Safe for Baby: Microwave Heating