A microwave is the most convenient kitchen appliance for warming formula to feed you baby. However, parents have had concerns about the safety of heating baby formula in the microwave.
Can you microwave formula? It is completely safe to microwave formula, however you must take precautions before you put your formula in the microwave. Microwaves distribute heat unevenly, so stir the formula to make sure the hotspots have not developed that can burn the mouth or throat of your infant.
This article answers all the questions that you have about microwaving formula. Along the way, we have also included helpful tips and the best way to warm baby formula in the microwave.
Microwaving Formula Basics
It is ok to microwave formula, however parents should be cautious. After all, there is an inherent risk of scorching your baby’s mouth and throat by serving formula that is too hot for them to handle.
We are going to discuss the microwaving basics that you need to know when reheating baby formula. This article covers important methods to reduce the risk of hotspots that commonly occur due to microwave heating.
Is it bad to microwave water for formula?
No, it is definitely not bad to microwave water for baby formula. A lot of us tend to boil water in the microwave instead of on a stovetop because it is a lot quicker.
Use the microwaved water to prepare your baby formula bottle. Make sure the water is not really hot but lukewarm, and keep swirling the bottle while you are warming up the water.
When you are heating the water in the microwave, put it in a microwave safe dish. Choose a dish that is large in size, so that you can warm up the water easily.
After transferring the water and formula powder to a baby bottle, swirl it so that you don’t end up with hot spots in the formula, which may pose as a risk to the baby. Swirling the bottle will also ensure even distribution of heat throughout the formula.
Does microwaving formula destroy nutrients?
Microwaving formula, or any type of heating method that uses high heat, can destroy nutrients to some extent. The best thing about heating in microwave is that you can control the amount of heating time.
Additionally, when preparing powdered formula you only need to microwave the water, then mix it together. Therefore, you are not microwaving the formula, only the water before mixing.
Heating up formula in microwave is a lot quicker and easier than boiling water on the stove. Heating up breast milk and formula to the boiling point can destroy nutrients to a large extent, and it is always recommended to heat to lukewarm temperatures before serving.
Can you heat up premade formula?
Yes, you can definitely heat premade formula in microwave. Parents have been heating formula in microwave as a safe and healthy option.
Expert reports show that microwaving baby formula is safe and does not pose as a harm to the baby. The same rules applies that you don’t want to overheat the formula as the nutrients can degrade and the potential risk of scalding your baby with the burning hot liquid.
Can you heat up formula bottles in microwave?
Yes, you can heat up formula bottles in microwave if they are made with microwave safe materials. Heating formula in glass or plastic baby bottles must be done by taking a certain level of precautions.
Do not use disposable plastic bottles in the microwave as the material is not safe for use in the appliance.
Never put the bottle cap or nibble on top while microwaving formula in a baby bottle. Always keep the bottle open and keep swirling the bottle after every 10 seconds to ensure even heating of the formula with no hot spots.
How long do you microwave formula?
Heat up 1 cup or 225 ml of formula for about 1 minute. Use 10 seconds intervals and swirl the bottle after each duration so that the formula does not develop any hot spots and heats up evenly.
It is not recommended not to heat up formula more than a cup or 225 ml of formula at a time. This allows the liquid to heat more evenly and reduces the opportunity for hotspots to materialize.
Stick to 10 second intervals, but reduce the overall time if you are microwaving less formula. During the intervals swirl the bottle so that there aren’t any hot spots left as they may pose as a threat to your baby’s mouth and throat.
Tips to microwave formula
Though it may not seem like rocket science, there are a few important considerations to take when heating up baby formula in microwave:
- Always heat in intervals of 10 seconds.
- Swirl the bottle to break up any hotspots so the formula heats up evenly.
- The quantity of the formula should be less than 1 cup or 225 ml.
- Use a microwave safe glass or plastic baby bottle.
- Never microwave with the cap, lid or nipple on the baby bottle.
- Beware of glass and disposable plastic bottles as they may explode when overheated.
Never put the cap of the formula bottle or the nibble on top because it consists of a different material which can cause uneven heating of the formula, avoidable hot spots, and may also be under the risk of explosion due to trapped steam inside the cavity.
Best way to microwave formula
A few things that are noteworthy and worth mentioning. Babies usually prefer lukewarm formula over cold. Do not freeze the formula, always refrigerate it instead.
Contamination can take place through unclean bottles and nibbles. Before putting formula into the bottle, make sure it is clean and sterilized.
Clean the nibble and the bottle with the respective brushes before you pour in the fresh formula. Be careful to not insert the nibble on the bottle before putting it into the microwave.
Additionally, some advocate the usage of BPA-free plastic for baby formula bottles.
The best way to heat up formula in the microwave:
- Limit its quantity to only half a cup or about 115 ml at a time.
- Never microwave a bottle with a lid, cap or nipple on top.
- Microwave for only 45 seconds with 10 second intervals if you are heating up a small amount.
- Swirl the bottle after each duration to clear any hot spots.
- Once 30 seconds has passed, use a thermometer or swatch a tiny bit of the formula onto the top of your hand and check if it is lukewarm.
- Proceed with 5 to 10 second intervals until the internal temperature of the formula reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure your baby finishes the formula within 2 hours of being heated. Otherwise it should be cooled and stored in the fridge according to health and safety guidelines to reduce the risk of food borne illness.
Hope that you found these tips helpful in your quest to microwave baby formula. Follow the instructions for the best way to heat up formula int he microwave.