How to Heat Milk for a Baby

When breast milk or formula has been refrigerated, some babies may dislike drinking it cold. Breast milk or other infant milk is easy to warm. The emphasis should be on warming, however, rather than heating. Milk easily overheats and can scald a baby's sensitive mouth and throat. It is always better to err on the side of keeping the milk too cool than heating it too much.

Things You'll Need

  • Cooking pot
  • Baby bottle

Instructions

  1. Breast Milk

    • 1

      Fill a large pot with warm water from the tap. Do not use hot water. According to the National Network For Childcare, you should not warm breast milk in hot water or the microwave.

    • 2

      Place the bottle of breast milk in the pot. Lift it out and squeeze some on your wrist every few minutes to check the temperature.

    • 3

      Take the bottle out of the pot when the milk feels warmed to room temperature. Shake the bottle vigorously to distribute the milk fats, which tend to separate, before feeding the baby.

    Formula and Other Milk

    • 4

      Fill a 2 quart or larger pot with water. Set it on the stove burner and turn it on to heat the water until the water begins to steam.

    • 5

      Turn off the burner and move the pot to a cool burner. Let the water cool for about 5 minutes so it is no longer scalding-hot. You should be able to touch the water without burning your finger. Place the bottle, nipple-side up, in the pot.

    • 6

      Remove the bottle after 5 minutes, shake it well, and squeeze a few drops on your wrist to test the temperature. Room temperature or just above is safer for the baby than if the milk feels hot or uncomfortably warm on your skin.

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