Actually, you don't "melt" breast milk; you gently warm it. The best and safest way to warm breast milk is to avoid high heat which can destroy nutrients. Here's how:
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Lukewarm Water Bath: Place the bottle or bag of breast milk in a container of lukewarm water for a few minutes. This slowly and evenly warms the milk to body temperature (around 99°F or 37°C).
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Bottle Warmer: Use a dedicated bottle warmer, following the manufacturer's instructions. These are designed to warm milk gently and evenly.
Things to Avoid:
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Microwave: Never microwave breast milk. Microwaving can create hotspots that can burn your baby and destroy important nutrients and antibodies.
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Boiling: Avoid boiling breast milk, as it can also damage its beneficial properties.
Important Considerations:
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Temperature: Do not allow the temperature to exceed 104°F (40°C).
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Gentle Swirling: After warming, gently swirl the milk to distribute the heat evenly.
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Testing: Always test the temperature of the milk on your wrist before feeding it to your baby. It should feel lukewarm, not hot.
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Use Immediately: Once warmed, use the breast milk immediately. If your baby doesn’t finish the bottle, discard the remaining milk. Reheating previously warmed breast milk is not recommended due to the risk of bacterial growth.
