How to reheat breast milk? The right gestures to preserve its qualities - Élhée

How to reheat breast milk? The right gestures to preserve its qualities

You chose to breastfeed your baby, but not necessarily at the breast. Since then, you've learned all you need to know about storing and transporting expressed milk, but you're still missing a few things. In particular, how to warm your breast milk without spoiling it. 

CONTENTS : 

Why is the temperature of breast milk crucial for your baby?

When you breastfeed your baby, the milk is neither cold nor at room temperature, but at 37°C, the same temperature as your own body. The ideal temperature not only for his comfort, but also for the quality of the milk.

Did you know? Breast milk is recommended for all infants up to 6 months of age, because it contains essential nutritional elements. Elements that can be degraded by excessive, too rapid or haphazard heating. 

Immunoglobulins, notably secretory IgA, are the first line of immune defense for babies, but begin to degrade above 40°C. Lipases, the enzymes that aid digestion, are also vulnerable to high heat. Furthermore, research has shown thatabove 60°C, the immunological activity of milk can be reduced by up to 30%.

👌Heating your milk to 37°C preserves its quality and all its benefits.

The risks of milk served too hot

In addition to losing some of its nutrients, overheated milk can have " hot spots " that can be scorching hot, even if the bottle feels warm in your hand.

To avoid this problem, always pour a few drops of milk onto the inside of your wrist. The skin there is thin enough to perceive the real heat of the milk and make sure it's safe.

A reminder of how to heat breast milk safely

To ensure that your milk is nutritious and always at the right temperature, keep these simple guidelines in mind, whatever the time and whatever the equipment used.

Situation To do Avoid
Ideal milk temperature 37 °C 
Above 40°C (loss of enzymes and immunoglobulins + risk of burns)
Heat test Pour a few drops on the wrist Do not check, judge by hand or touch the outside of the bottle
Chilled milk Reheating possible, but only once Never heat milk twice
Frozen milk Slow defrosting (refrigerator the day before or bain-marie) Microwave prohibited
Refrigerator preservation Up to 4 days at 4 °C Leaving milk in the fridge without being careful
Freezer storage Up to 3 months at -18°C (12 months at -20°C) 
Successive cooling/reheating (due to poor location, for example) 
Warmed milk not consumed Dispose of after 2 hours in the bottle at room temperature. Never refreeze or store for later
Milk storage container BPA-free storage bags, glass jars or plastic bottles and containers (such as Elhée medical silicone bottles) Non-sterile, non-hermetic or questionable plastic containers

🩷 Tip: if your milk tends to take on a soapy taste after freezing (excess lipase), you can heat it briefly to 60°C before freezing to neutralize the enzyme.

2 safe ways to heat baby milk

Years of practised motherhood have enabled moms to find different ways of gently warming up breast milk and formula, both at home and on the move.

The bain-marie: gentle and efficient

The bain-marie is one of the oldest and most widely-used methods for reheating breast milk while preserving its properties. It involves placing the milk container (bottle or sealed storage sachet) in a pan of hot, non-boiling water. 

Instructions for use :

  • Heat water in a saucepan.
  • Pour into a bowl or deep container.
  • Dip the bottle or breast-milk sachet into the water for a few minutes.
  • Shake gently to homogenize.
  • Check the milk temperature each time.

👉 A slow but sure method, perfect for the home.

The bottle warmer: the ideal degree of milk

elhee nomad bottle warmer

A bottle warmer is a practical and safe solution. Some models are even portable, so you can enjoy a warm, milky meal wherever you are.

Directions for use :

  • Choose a bottle warmer with a precise thermostat.
  • Choose a model with automatic shut-off to avoid the risk of overheating.
  • Clean your appliance regularly, especially if you use tap water, to prevent limescale build-up and extend its life.
  • Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and always test the final temperature.

👉 It's an excellent compromise between speed and safety, especially for frequent use.

Zoom on the TooGo by Élhée nomadic bottle warmer

A veritable concentrate of technology, this invaluable partner for parents in search of practicality and peace of mind on a daily basis, has been designed to adapt to the needs of modern families. In just a few minutes, safely and without electricity, it warms up breast or infant milk at home, on the move or on outings.

  • Gentle, even temperature: thanks to its precision, the TooGo heats milk (or water) evenly to avoid hot spots and preserve its essential nutrients. You can even ask it to heat to exactly 37°C.
  • Elegant, compact design : its nomadic size (just 390 g) and sleek, curvaceous look, typical of Élhée products, make it a practical, stylish accessory to take with you. 
  • Easy to use: simply connect it to a USB-C socket to recharge, and then screw it onto your Élhée bottle to warm it up.
  • Long autonomy : the TooGo keeps food warm for up to 12 hours.
  • Designed for breast pumps: TooGo comes with an adaptor ring compatible with all BibRonds Élhée and Avent, Spectra (S1) and Ardo breast pumps, so you can express your milk directly into the bottle, store it and reheat it easily.

Hot tap water for emergency use 

If you're short of time and don't have a bottle warmer or bain-marie to hand, hot water from the tap can occasionally help you out. All you have to do is run it over the filled and sealed bottle.

To remember:

  • Use a stream of hot water and swirl the bottle underneath, or place the bottle in a large bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
  • Water rarely exceeds 55°C, a temperature sometimes insufficient for efficient heat transfer.
  • Works only if milk is chilled, not frozen, and tap water is hot.
  • A slow, unsafe technique.

👉 Simple and without equipment, this method can be useful on the move or in an emergency, but does not guarantee its effectiveness.

First, store your breast milk properly to preserve its quality

elhee nursing bottle

First of all, the choice of containers plays a key role in preservation. Elhée feeding bottles are an excellent option. Designed to preserve the qualities of milk thanks to their safe and practical material, soft medical silicone, they withstand freezing very well. You can also use special storage bags for breast milk, or small glass or plastic (BPA-free) jars with hermetically sealed closures.

Then there's storage. In the fridge or freezer, it requires meticulous organization. Labels on the containers (date and time of expression) ensure a good rotation and efficient management of reserves.

🧊 By the way, make sure your freezer stays well below -18°C to preserve all the milk's properties.

Finally, when defrosting breast milk, always proceed slowly to avoid denaturing it. From the freezer to the fridge the day before, or in a bain-marie the same day.

Saving time every day: the art of setting up a milk routine

By anticipating your baby's needs, you can manage his meals more smoothly. There are many tips to help you in your quest for organization.

But the key to a successful routine is simplicity. You can, for example, set aside a time slot for bottle preparation, along with a dedicated place in your kitchen for bottle storage. Organize your fridge or freezer in such a way as to ensure easy access to containers. 

Emergency kit: the bare minimum to keep on hand

For an extra bottle, a last-minute bottle or to replace a failed bottle, make sure you always have a few essentials in a ready-to-go bag: clean bottles, an insulated pouch to keep milk at temperature and, of course, a mobile bottle warmer (in addition to milk expressed in advance and stored). Everything you need to respond quickly to baby's needs!

💡Tip: prepare a universal checklist so you never forget anything.

Going out with baby: how do you manage bottle-feeding?

Once again, it's all a question of organization. If your milk is fresh, pumped just before you leave, transport it in a soft cooler with ice packs, and use it within 4 hours of taking it out of the fridge.

For frozen milk, let it defrost slowly in the cooler, making sure it's cool and stays cool. Once liquid, it will keep (always in a cool place) for 24 hours.

At the nursery or at your childminder's, establish a calm routine. Breast milk should be brought to the nursery in a sterile, well-labelled container (name, date, time of pumping), then stored in the fridge as soon as it arrives. It should then be gently warmed up before feeding.

How do you know when milk has gone bad?

Breast milk is precious, but also fragile. So, just as you would with your bottle of milk, before each feeding, observe and smell it. When well preserved, it releases a mild, slightly sweet odor, sometimes a little "soapy". On the other hand, if it smells sour, rancid or simply unpleasant, it's best not to use it.

Note that visually, a layered separation is natural; just shake the milk gently to homogenize. But if it doesn't mix, if it has lumps or unusual crystals, be careful and use another batch instead.

🩷 Trust yourself: if something bothers you, throw away the milk without feeling guilty and prepare another bottle, so you can feed your baby with complete peace of mind.

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Frequently asked questions from parents

Milk separated in diapers: normal or not?

Yes, that's quite normal. Breast milk separates naturally into layers, with the fat rising to the surface. Before giving it to your baby, simply shake the bottle to mix it and ensure proper homogenization.

Can I refreeze thawed milk?

No, it is not advisable to refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed. This would break the cold chain and risk damaging the milk by encouraging the proliferation of bacteria. If the milk has been thawed and is not used within 24 hours, discard it.

Can milk be heated twice?

It's safer to avoid. Every time milk is heated, it loses nutritional quality. What's more, multiple heating increases the risk of bacterial growth. If your baby doesn't finish his bottle, throw the rest away.

From breast to bottle: how to ease the transition?

To ease the transition from breast to bottle, take your time and choose a moment when baby is relaxed. Opt for a bottle with a nipple that mimics the shape of the breast as closely as possible, so that baby can easily switch from one to the other, without the risk of breast-nipple confusion.

Excess lipase: how to adapt?

Excess lipase can give your milk a "soapy" taste. Baby may then refuse to drink or finish his bottle. In this case, briefly heat your milk to 60°C before freezing it. This will neutralize the enzyme and leave a milder taste.

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