Avent Bottle Warmer How-To

Because parents often have to get up in the night to feed their infants, the makers of Avent bottles developed a quick way to heat up bottles. In the past, parents simply set the bottle in a dish of warm water, which could take 10 minutes. By the time the milk reached a suitable temperature, the hungry infant might be inconsolable. And microwaves are out, since they heat bottles unevenly. So, to make those 2 a.m. feedings easier, Avent has developed two types of infant bottle warmers: the Philips Avent iQ Bottle Warmer and the Philips Avent Express Bottle Warmer.

Choosing the Right Bottle Warmer

Before purchasing a bottle warmer, you must decide which one best fits your needs and your lifestyle.

The Avent iQ Bottle Warmer is the more expensive model, selling for about $50. It will warm frozen or chilled foods or liquid in slightly under two minutes. It can electronically calculate the time required to warm the food without underheating or overheating. It is simple to use (two buttons), and features a digital display and automatic shutoff in case you forget to turn it off in the middle of the night.

The Avent Express Food and Bottle Warmer sells for around $40. It is a little more complicated, requiring the user to choose a setting and determine if the food or bottle is heated appropriately. Unlike the iQ Warmer, it is not a digital warmer. It plugs into a wall outlet, so no batteries are required. Although not as fast as the iQ Warmer, it is still significantly faster than placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water.

Using Each Avent Bottle Warmer

To use the Avent iQ Bottle Warmer, make sure it is set to the milk/bottle setting. Also, the instructions say to add 1 oz. of water. Then select the size of bottle/amount of milk or formula you are warming. The bottle warmer itself will select the correct warming time and let you know when the bottle is heated. Like any warming method, you will want to check the liquid or food to be sure it is properly heated and not too warm or too cold.

To use the Avent Express Food and Bottle Warmer, fill the warmer with water to the right level based on the size of bottle your baby uses. Plug in the warmer and turn it on. Switch it to setting 3. The light should go on to indicate that the unit is functioning. The light will also indicate that the water is being kept at the correct temperature for your baby's bottle. Always shake the bottle and check it to be sure it is the proper temperature for your baby before feeding. For Avent disposable bottles, never set the unit higher than setting 2. Any higher could burst the disposable liners. You may clean out the bottle warmer after use, but always make sure it is unplugged and cooled off.

References

• Philips Avent USA