Q: Can I warm refrigerated breast milk in an electric warmer?
A: Assuming this is an electric warmer designed for warming a baby’s bottle, this should be OK. You can also warm refrigerated or frozen breast milk by running warm water over the container. Breast milk should never be microwaved because excessive heat (over 130 degrees Fahrenheit) can destroy valuable disease-fighting components of the milk. There is also danger of uneven heating by microwaving.
It’s always a good idea to gently shake the bottle after warming and then test the milk on your forearm to make sure it is a comfortable temperature.
By Melissa Clark Vickers
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Moms & Babies
Huntingdon, TN
