Can You Microwave Breast Milk?
As a busy new parent, you’re always looking for ways to make your life easier with a new baby.
You might be thinking, "Can I zap breast milk in the microwave to save time?"
Well, let's check it out together... 🍼🤔
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Can you microwave breast milk?
The short answer is: NO! You should never thaw or warm up breast milk in a microwave.
The long answer:
Microwaves don't warm things up evenly, which means they can make some parts of your baby's milk super hot, like a volcano! 🌋
You might end up surprising your little one with a scalding sip. No one wants that!
Not only that, as living nourishment breast milk is affected by temperature.🌡️
Science tells us that when it hits temperatures higher than 104 degrees, it starts losing its magical powers. Microwaving breast milk simply heats it up too high which destroys valuable nutrients, vitamins, and immunological properties.
How Breast Milk Deteriorates In The Microwave
Germ Fighters Weaken
Microwaving makes important germ-fighting components less effective.
Probiotics Say Bye
Good bacteria your baby needs for a happy tummy get zapped.
White Blood Cells Vanish
Microwaving takes out the infection-fighting white blood cells.
Less Fat for Growth
The fat, important for baby's growth, decreases when microwaved.
Digestive Enzymes Inactivated
Microwaving can turn off the enzymes needed for digestion.
3 Ways to safely heat breast milk
Slow, gentle warming is best to protect and preserve the healthy qualities of the milk.
Hold container of milk under cool running water and gradually adding warmer water until the milk is warmed to room temperature.
Place the bottle in a container of warm water.
Use a breast milk bottle warmer. Our favorite is THIS ONE because it heats up bottles in a warm water bath, which is better than steaming.
Our 3 Fav Breastfeeding Products
1. 🌙 The night nursing bra you’ll never want to take off
This nursing bra is the absolute BEST for breastfeeding at night. It’s made of the softest material ever. It’s super stretchy with zero digging.
2. 🤱Sore nipples?
If your nipples are sore at all, these are a total game-changer. Pop them on after feeds and let them work. They heal in a matter of hours and you just pop them on after feeding. Wear them 24/7 in the early days.
3. 🍪 Breastfeeding hunger is real
Easy-bake cookies with oats, flax, brewer’s yeast (+ chocolate!) to help support your milk supply and satisfy cravings. Warm, fast, and ridiculously good.
Related Post: What To Do If You Leave Your Breast Milk In Bottle Warmer Too Long
