As a parent, you are most likely very familiar with a crying baby who wants to be fed immediately and you need to get a bottle warm in a hurry. So, what do you do? Your first instinct might be to pop the bottle into the microwave to speed up the heating process. However, are baby bottles really microwave safe? All of them?
Key takeaways
- Despite most brands being microwave safe, manufacturers don’t recommend heating milk or formula in the microwave.
- The AAP also advises that microwaving milk or formula isn’t recommended.
- If you’re going to microwave milk, never exceed the recommended heating time.
- Be sure to stir or shake the milk or formula to avoid hot pockets.
- Never microwave bottles with their lids or loose parts on as this can make the bottles explode if they are overheated.
Are baby bottles microwaves safe?
While many bottles are microwave safe, experts warn against warming your baby’s milk in the microwave. This is primarily because bottles can explode if they’re heated too long. Plastic bottles may also leach BPA and other toxic chemicals if they’re heated for longer than the recommended time.
Are Tommee Tippee baby bottles microwave safe?
Tommee Tippee doesn’t recommend using the microwave to warm your baby’s milk. Although their bottles are microwave safe, this is primarily for boiling or steaming for sterilizing.
Are Dr. Brown’s baby bottles microwave safe?
Dr. Brown’s bottles can safely be warmed in the microwave if necessary. Dr. Brown recommends removing the internal parts first. This includes the vent insert and reservoir tube. This will avoid pressure building up or the bottle leaking.
Are Avent baby bottles microwave safe?
Avent bottles are also microwave safe and the manufacturer advises removing the loose parts beforehand. These bottles should be placed in the microwave without the AirFree vent, screw ring, nipple and cap. They also advise that users should always stir the milk after it has been heated to distribute any potential hot pockets.
Are Comotomo bottles microwave safe?
A concern that parents often have when looking at the pros / cons of silicone bottles is whether they can be warmed in the microwave. Comotomo assures parents that both their silicone and glass bottles are microwave safe.
They should never be heated for long periods and tops and nipples should be removed before microwaving. As with plastic bottles, they could also develop hot pockets so it’s necessary to shake and test the temperature before giving it to your baby. They also have a chart that you can consult for compatible bottle warmers as an alternative to using the microwave.
Are Nanobebe bottles microwave safe?
All Nanobebe bottles are microwave safe, for warming milk as well as sterilizing. Simply remove the loose parts and don’t exceed the suggested heating time. They do however recommend that parents rather use their nifty warming bowl to heat milk. Not only is it considerably safer, but it also heats the milk up more evenly.
Are MAM bottles microwave safe?
According to MAM, their bottles are safe to warm in the microwave. However, they do advise users to remove the small parts such as the cap, ring and teat. As with the other bottle types, never microwave a sealed bottle.
Don’t reheat for longer than the recommended time and be sure to shake the bottle before feeding to ensure there are no hot pockets. MAM bottles can also be sterilized in the microwave–also separate from the smaller parts.
Are Pigeon feeding bottles microwave safe?
Pigeon bottles are safe to sterilize in the microwave. They however don’t recommend heating milk in the microwave based on the AAP’s guidelines. A suggestion from them is that you use your microwave to warm a glass bowl of water (if you can’t use a kettle) and then place the bottle in the bowl once it has been warmed.
Always remember to give the bottle a good shake before testing the temperature.
Are NUK bottles microwave safe?
NUK is another manufacturer that doesn’t recommend warming their bottles in the microwave. This is especially the case with their plastic bottles. While their plastic bottles are all BPA-free, they still don’t advise warming milk in the microwave.
They also recommend using steam or even boiling to sterilize their products. One of the more common ways to clean NUK bottles is by adding them to a pot of boiling water. You can add a few teaspoons of Milton sterilizing agent to the water for optimal results.
How Long Should You Microwave Baby Bottles in the Microwave?
If you’re going to heat your baby’s bottle in the microwave, experts recommend doing it for intervals of 30 seconds or less. Also, you shouldn’t warm less than 4 ounces of formula or breast milk at a time as this increases the chances of your little one’s mouth getting scalded. Essentially, this is how you’ll do it.
- Heat 4-ounce bottles for 30 seconds or less
- If the bottle isn’t heated after 30 seconds, heat for another 10 seconds
- For 8-ounce bottles, the maximum time shouldn’t exceed 45-seconds
- Stir or shake the milk or formula once you’re done heating it to ensure that the heat is distributed evenly as this won’t happen in the microwave
Microwaving glass vs plastic baby bottles
When it comes to baby bottles, the general consensus is that glass is always safe on all levels. However, it’s crucial to note that microwaving a glass bottle for too long may cause it to explode. On the other hand, heating plastic bottles for too long can result in toxic chemicals, such as BPA (in older bottles) leaching from the bottles.
In fact, a 2019 report from the AAP warned against warming either type of baby bottle in the microwave. Some bottle manufacturers remain adamant that their bottles are safe, provided you follow the proper guidelines when heating in the microwave.
It’s important to emphasize that many top manufacturers don’t recommend heating milk in the microwave and indicate that their bottles should only be placed in the microwave to be sterilized.
Can you heat up baby milk in a bottle in the microwave?
Ideally, milk shouldn’t be heated in the microwave. This is because microwaves heat their contents unevenly. This creates hot spots, which means that the milk might seem warm on the outside of the bottle but might be piping hot on the inside.
Overheating also destroys some of the nutrients in both formula and breastfed milk. If you are going to warm up your baby’s milk in the microwave, never exceed the recommended time and be sure to stir or shake the milk to ensure that there are no hot pockets in the middle.
A word of caution: Never reheat milk once you’ve heated it in the microwave. Any milk that remains in the bottle after the baby is done feeding should be discarded.
To avoid having to use your microwave for warming bottles, consider investing in a quality bottle warmer compatible with your bottle brand.
Does microwaving baby bottles cause cancer?
The myth that heating anything in the microwave can cause cancer has been around for a long time. It’s therefore not surprising that many people believe it to be true with regard to heating baby formula or breastmilk.
Experts agree that heating baby bottles in the microwave doesn’t cause cancer. There seems to be a higher risk of plastics leaking BPA and phthalates into the milk. There is also more risk of your little one burning from unevenly heated milk.
Should you include the nipple when heating baby bottles in the microwave?
Bottle nipples and tops shouldn’t be placed in the microwave when you’re heating the bottle. It’s essential to also never heat a closed bottle. Lids and nipples trap heat, increasing the temperature of the milk in the bottle. As I’ve already mentioned, this can scald your baby’s mouth, or build pressure that causes the bottle to burst.
If you’re looking for a safer way to warm your baby’s feeding bottle, watch this short clip!
Another tip here is to plan feeding times as much as possible to avoid being stranded without a warm bottle.
Final Thoughts
Essentially whether or not you choose to warm your baby bottles in the microwave comes down to how safe you believe your bottle brand to be. While many parents claim to have been doing it for years without any issues, it’s always safe to be cautious.
Ensure that you never exceed the 30 seconds recommendation and always use the safest bottles possible. Wherever possible, opt for warming the milk in a jug or cup of hot water. Alternatively, opt for a bottle warmer suited to your bottle brand.
