You chose breastfeeding for your baby, but not necessarily at the breast. Since then, you've learned all about storing and transporting expressed milk, but you still need some information. Specifically, how to warm your breast milk without altering it.
SUMMARY :
- Why is the temperature of breast milk crucial for your baby?
- A quick guide to safely warming breast milk
- 2 safe methods for heating baby milk
- Saving time every day: the art of establishing a breastfeeding routine
Why is the temperature of breast milk crucial for your baby?
When you breastfeed your baby, the milk reaches them neither cold nor at room temperature, but at 37°C , the same temperature as your body. This is the ideal temperature not only for their 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 nutrients . These nutrients can be degraded by excessive, rapid, or improper heating.
Immunoglobulins, particularly secretory IgA, constitute the first line of immune defense for babies, but begin to break down above 40°C . Lipases, the enzymes that facilitate digestion, are also vulnerable to high temperatures. Furthermore, research has shown that above 60°C, the immunological activity of breast milk can decrease by up to 30%.
👌Heating your milk to 37°C preserves its quality and all its benefits.
The risks of serving milk too hot
In addition to losing some of its nutrients , overheated milk can have " hot spots " that are sometimes scalding hot, even if the bottle feels lukewarm in your hand.
To avoid this problem, always put a few drops of milk on the inside of your wrist. The skin there is thin enough to feel the milk's true temperature and ensure it's safe to do so.
A quick guide to safely warming breast milk
For nutritious milk that is always at the right temperature, keep these few simple guidelines in mind, regardless of the time and 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 onto the wrist | Do not check or judge by hand or by external touch of the bottle. |
| Chilled milk | Reheating is possible, but only once. | Never heat milk twice |
| Frozen milk | Slow defrosting (refrigerator overnight or bain-marie) | Microwave prohibited |
| Refrigerated storage | Up to 4 days at 4°C | Leaving the milk in the fridge without paying attention |
| Freezer storage | Up to 3 months at -18°C (12 months at -20°C) |
Successive cooling/heating cycles (due to poor placement, for example) |
| Reheated milk not consumed | Discard after 2 hours in the bottle at room temperature | Never refreeze or store for later |
| Milk storage container | Storage bags, small glass jars or BPA-free plastic bottles and containers (such as Élhée medical-grade 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 methods for heating baby milk
Years of practiced motherhood have enabled mothers to find different ways to gently warm breast milk and powdered milk, both at home and on the go.
The double boiler: gentle and effective
A bain-marie is one of the oldest and most widely used methods for warming breast milk while preserving its properties. It involves placing the milk container (bottle or sealed storage bag) in a container (a saucepan, for example) of hot, but not boiling, water.
Instructions for use:
- Heat some water in a saucepan.
- Pour it into a bowl or deep container.
- Immerse the bottle or breast milk bag in it for a few minutes.
- Gently shake it to homogenize.
- Check the milk temperature each time.
👉 A slow but safe method, perfect for home use.
The bottle warmer: the ideal temperature for milk
A bottle warmer is a practical and safe solution . Some models are even portable, for a warm, milky meal wherever you are.
Instructions for use:
- Choose a bottle warmer equipped with a precise thermostat.
- Choose a model with automatic shut-off to avoid the risk of overheating.
- Clean the device regularly, especially if you use it with tap water, to prevent limescale and prolong its lifespan.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and always test the final temperature.
👉 It's an excellent compromise between speed and security, especially for frequent use.
A closer look at the TooGo portable bottle warmer by Élhée
A true technological marvel, this invaluable partner for parents seeking practicality and peace of mind in their daily lives has been designed to adapt to the needs of modern families. In just a few minutes , safely and without electricity , it warms breast milk or infant formula at home, on the go, or when out and about.
- Gentle and 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 set it to heat to exactly 37°C.
- Compact and elegant design : its portable size (only 390 g) and its carefully crafted, rounded aesthetic characteristic of Élhée products make it a practical and stylish accessory to take with you.
- Ease of use : simply connect it to a USB-C port to recharge it and then screw it onto your Élhée bottle to warm it.
- Long battery life : the TooGo provides up to 12 hours of heat retention.
- Designed for pumping and breastfeeding : TooGo comes with an adapter ring compatible with all Élhée Round Bibs and Avent, Spectra (S1) and Ardo breast pumps, allowing you to express your milk directly into the bottle, store it and warm it easily.
Hot tap water: a temporary solution
If you're short on time and don't have a bottle warmer or bain-marie handy, hot tap water can be a useful substitute. It's simple: just run it over a filled and tightly closed bottle .
Key points to remember:
- Use a stream of very 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 that is sometimes insufficient for efficient heat transfer.
- Works only if the milk is chilled, not frozen, and the tap water is hot.
- This technique is slow and unreliable.
👉 Simple and requiring no equipment, this method can be useful when traveling or in an emergency, but does not guarantee its effectiveness.
Beforehand, properly store your breast milk to preserve its quality.
First, the choice of containers plays a key role in storage. Elhée bottles are an excellent option. Designed to preserve the quality of the milk thanks to their safe and practical material, soft medical-grade silicone, they withstand freezing very well. You can also use storage bags specifically designed for breast milk, or small glass or BPA-free plastic containers with a perfectly airtight seal.
Next, consider storage. Whether in the refrigerator or freezer, meticulous organization is essential. Labels on containers (date and time of preparation) ensure proper rotation and efficient stock management.
🧊 Also, make sure your freezer stays well below -18°C to preserve all the properties of the milk.
Finally, when defrosting breast milk , always do so slowly to avoid altering its properties. Defrost it from the freezer to the refrigerator the day before, or in a bain-marie on the same day.
Saving time every day: the art of establishing a breastfeeding routine
By anticipating your baby's needs, you can manage their meals more smoothly. In this regard, many tips and tricks exist to help you with your organizational goals.
The key to a successful routine is simplicity . For example, you can set aside a specific time for preparing bottles, along with a designated space in your kitchen for storing them. Also, organize your refrigerator or freezer in a practical way for easy access to the containers.
Emergency kit: the bare minimum to keep on hand
For an extra bottle, a last-minute feed, or to replace a failed feeding, make sure you always have a few essentials in your bag: clean bottles, an insulated bag to keep milk at the right temperature, and of course, a portable bottle warmer (in addition to pre-expressed and stored milk). Everything you need to quickly meet your baby's needs!
💡Tip: Prepare a universal checklist so you never forget anything.
Going out with baby: how to manage bottle-feeding?
Again, it's all about organization. If your milk is fresh, expressed just before leaving, transport it in a soft cooler with added ice packs , and use it within 4 hours of taking it out of the fridge.
For frozen milk, let it thaw slowly in the cooler, making sure it remains cool. Once liquid, it can be kept (always refrigerated) for 24 hours.
At daycare or with a childminder, establish calm routines. Breast milk should be brought chilled, in a sterile and clearly labeled container (name, date, time of expression), and then stored in the refrigerator upon arrival. It should then be gently warmed before being given to the baby.
How can you tell when milk is no longer good?
Breast milk is precious , but also fragile. So, just as you would with your bottle of formula, before each feeding, observe and smell it. When properly stored, it gives off a mild, slightly sweet, sometimes even slightly soapy scent. On the other hand, if it smells sour, rancid, or simply unpleasant, it's best not to use it.
Note that a visual separation into layers is natural; simply shake the milk gently to homogenize it. However, if it doesn't mix, or if it contains unusual lumps or crystals, be cautious and use a different batch.
🩷 Trust yourself: if something bothers you, throw away the milk without feeling guilty and prepare another bottle, enough to feed your baby in peace.
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Frequently asked questions from parents
Milk separated into layers: normal or not?
Yes, that's perfectly normal. Breast milk naturally separates into layers, with the fat rising to the surface. Before giving it to your baby, simply shake the bottle to mix it and ensure it's well blended.
Can I refreeze thawed milk?
No, it is not recommended to refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed. The cold chain would be broken, and this could spoil the milk by encouraging bacterial growth. 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 heating. Every time milk is heated, it loses nutritional quality. Furthermore, repeated heating increases the risk of bacterial growth. If your baby doesn't finish their bottle, discard the rest.
From breast to bottle: how to facilitate the transition?
To make the transition from breast to bottle easier , take your time and choose a moment when your baby is relaxed. Opt for a bottle with a nipple that closely mimics the shape of the breast so that your baby can easily switch between the two without the risk of nipple confusion .
Excess lipase: how to adapt?
An excess of lipase can give your milk a "soapy" taste. This can cause your baby to refuse to drink or finish their bottle . In this case, briefly heat your milk to 60°C before freezing it. This will neutralize the enzyme and leave a milder taste.
