Can You Microwave a Baby Bottle?

Have you tried to microwave a baby bottle before?

As a mother of two boys, I have found the plastic baby bottle microwaving experience convenient and I would recommend it if you have not tried it.

Can you microwave a baby bottle? Our write-up today gives comprehensive information on the safety precautions, procedures, and available alternatives to microwaving a baby bottle.

Can You Put a Baby Bottle in the Microwave?

Sure, why not? It is appropriate to use a microwave-safe bottle to warm a baby’s liquid meal provided you follow the safety guidelines.

Microwaving baby bottles is among the trending practices. It is the fastest and most hygienic method to warm a baby’s liquid meal.

However, most new parents refrain from adopting the practice due to a lack of sufficient information on its safety.

You are advised to read through the manufacturer’s guide for clarification.

Facts About Microwaves And Baby Bottles

I trust that the following facts will clear your doubts about microwaving baby bottles:

Microwaving a baby’s food is safe if all the precautions are observed.
Microwaving plastic baby bottles is the fastest and most convenient method to warm liquid meals.
The microwave does not compromise the quality of breast milk unless it’s overheated.
Microwaving a plastic baby bottle does not deform it.

Is It Safe to Microwave a Plastic Baby Bottle?

Microwaving baby bottles to warm liquid meals is not just safe but also convenient.

Microwaving plastic baby bottles raises some concerns however a microwave-safe bottle (a BPA-free one) reduces the exposure to the potentially harmful chemical compound.

Glass baby bottles, though heavy, are the most suitable.

Note that the microwave heat cannot destroy the plastic bottle but it causes the following slight changes to the liquid meal:

Overheating milk formulas weakens or completely destroys the minerals and vitamins present.
Overheating breast milk counters its natural ability to boost immunity.

The microwave heat is just enough to warm the liquid content in the baby bottle. Never microwave a baby bottle for sterilization.

What Are the Dangers Of Microwaving Baby Bottle? Why Is It Risky to Microwave a Baby Bottle?

These are the possible outcomes you might experience when microwaving a baby bottle.

The liquid content might get unbearably hot while still, the plastic bottle feels cold. The hot meal will definitely burn the hungry baby.
Steam tends to build up when you heat liquids in sealed containers. This can cause explosions.
The meal can get unevenly heated and hot spots can cause burns in the baby’s mouth and throat.

How to Microwave Baby Bottles Safely

You are advised to follow this procedure step by step to microwave plastic baby bottles effectively:

Put water in a microwave-safe cup to the ¼ full mark and place it in the microwave.
Heat the water for a minute or till hot then put off the microwave.
Place the microwave-safe plastic bottle inside the cup with hot water and put it in the microwave.
Put on the microwave and let it run for 30 seconds then switch it off.
Sprinkle a drop of the liquid meal on your wrist to feel the temperature. You can also use a millimeter to check the temperature of the microwaved breast milk.
If sufficiently heated, shake it thoroughly to ensure no uneven hot parts.
Let the bottle rest for some minutes then feed the baby.

How Long Can You Microwave a Plastic Baby Bottle?

Baby’s meal is safest at room temperature or slightly warm to avoid mouth burns.

You are advised to heat 4 ounces of either milk formula or breast milk for 30 seconds. Never heat a baby’s meal beyond 45 seconds.

Safety Tips to Remember When Microwaving Baby Bottles

Microwaving baby bottles might cause some unpopular outcomes which are possible to overcome if heating is done with caution.

You should observe the under-listed safety tips when microwaving plastic baby bottles to uphold safety:

Always ensure that the baby bottle has a microwave-safe label. This remains the golden rule of microwave use.
Always remember that the recommended microwave time is 30 seconds. If you wish to warm for a longer time, do so at intervals.
Always remove the bottle top/lid before you put it in the microwave.
Nuke the baby bottle for two minutes or less. Confirm that the bottle is not too hot for the baby.
Shake the heated bottle thoroughly to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed to all food parts. This counters the uneven hot spots.
Sprinkle the liquid meal on your wrist to feel the temperature of the food before feeding the baby.
Keep the baby away during the whole process of heating their meal in the microwave.

What Are The Possible Alternatives Of Microwaving Baby Bottles?

You could be risk-averse and no kind of information is sufficient to convince you to drop the fear and throw the baby’s bottle in the microwave.

These are the less risky alternative methods you can use to warm your baby’s meal besides using the microwave:

It is most recommended that you use a baby bottle warmer to warm a baby’s meal.
You can also opt to add a few drops of warm water to the breast milk. Make sure not to dilute the original content.
You can opt to dip your plastic baby bottle in hot water and leave it for some time. Make sure you place the bottle upright.
You can also warm liquid meals in a pan over an open stove. However, hygiene could be compromised.
You can also wrap the bottle using an electric blanket or a warm towel.
You can use warm running tap water over the plastic baby bottle.

Final Thoughts

Microwaving plastic baby bottles is a convenient practice for mothers but safety precautions must be observed.

The right temperatures and heating time should be observed strictly to maintain the nutritive properties of both breast milk and formula milk.

However, not all mothers will embrace microwaving bottle tops hence alternative methods to heat liquid meals are available.