Having a bottle ready quickly when your infant needs one is a top concern for parents. When your baby is screaming, but all you have is frozen breast milk or cold water, you need a speedy way to heat it up. Bottle warmers offer an easy way to safely, and quickly, warm breast milk or formula.
Bottle warmers are a favorite parent gadget because they get the job done while keeping your hands free, making it easier for you to comfort your little one. Which is the best baby bottle warmer? Learn about the features of the best bottle warmers, how to use them safely, and our top picks.
What to Look for in a Bottle Heater
When shopping for a bottle heater, consider your needs. While some moms pump and freeze breastmilk, others formula feed. The features you'll require will depend on the type of bottle you use and whether you use breast milk or formula. Consider the following:
Defrosting Feature: Today, most bottle warmers also defrost frozen breastmilk. If you use frozen breastmilk, this feature can help.
Size of Bottle Warmer: Double-check the size of the bottle heater to ensure it will work with your bottles.
Multi-Functional: Many bottle heaters also double as sterilizers for your bottles, pacifiers, and other small items. Plus, some models also heat baby food.
App Included: Would you like a smart bottle warmer? Some brands include an app that lets you know when your bottle is ready and tracks other details.
Steam or Water Bath: When breastmilk is heated beyond certain temperatures, it can destroy proteins and nutrients. For those using breastmilk, a warm water bath is the ideal solution. Steam is fine for heating formula bottles.
Speed: Most bottle heaters are quick, warming your bottle within a few minutes. If speed is a concern, double check this feature as some will warm bottles in 2 minutes while others may take 4 minutes or more.
Portable or Not: Heating bottles on the go, some bottle warmers function with batteries.
Tips for Using a Bottle Warmer Safely
When using a bottle warmer, it's important to use it safely so the milk doesn't burn your baby or make them sick. Here are some basic bottle warmer safety tips:
- To avoid burns, the CDC recommends dripping some milk on the back of your hand to ensure it isn't too hot.
- Healthline reports that warmed bottles of milk should be used within one hour. Many bottle warmers advertise being able to heat breastmilk or formula for long periods. This is unsafe, as milk, especially at room or warm temperatures, is likely to grow bacteria.
- After feeding your baby, throw away any unused milk, the CDC advises.
The Best Bottle Warmers for Busy Parents
The best bottle warmers heat your baby's bottles quickly and evenly. Here are some of our top picks:
1. Best Bottle Warmer Overall: Papablic Ultra-Fast Baby Bottle Warmer - $33.99
Heat formula or milk to the perfect temperature in just 2 minutes with Papablic's Ultra-Fast Baby Bottle Warmer. This model is also budget-friendly without sacrificing quality. Parents rave about its even heating, avoiding hot spots.
Plus, the device features a "keep warm" mode, allowing you to prep and keep a bottle ready during bathtime or diaper changes. This is a lifesaver for babies who don't enjoy baths or diaper changes.
Additionally, this warmer also serves as a sanitizer, defroster, and baby food heater.
2. Best Bottle Warmer for Breastmilk: Momcozy 6-in-1 Fast Baby Bottle Warmer - $39.99
Convenient for most bottle types as well as bags and bowls, the Momcozy model is a champ. Featuring a total of six functions, this model heats bottles in 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the amount of milk and starting temperature. Easy to use, parents love this model for its quality and value for money.
3. Best Compact: Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer - $39.99
For a small countertop, the Philips offers a quick and practical solution. Using a hot water bath, the warmer heats bottles evenly. An affordable model, parents also love the ease of cleaning and its multiple functions. Defrost or heat refrigerated bottles to room temperature or warmer.
4. Easy to Use: Dr. Brown's Deluxe Bottle Warmer - $48.99
Heat bottles to perfection using Dr. Brown's bottle warmer. With specific options for what you're heating, such as glass bottles or milk bag, this model does the job. Brown's bottle heater offers a variety of functions for customized bottle warming based on your needs. The warm water bath ensures no hot spots or overheating.
5. Best Bottle Warmer for Consistent Temperature: GROWNSY - $49.99
This impressive 9-in-1 warmer heats bottles perfectly in 4 minutes. The Grownsy stands out thanks to its night light, which makes for easier middle of the night feeds. You don't have to turn all the lights on, startling your baby, to warm up a bottle.
6. Best Smart Warmer: Baby Brezza - $60
If you love to keep track of your baby gadgets with an app, the Baby Brezza is for you. This warmer offers a steaming or warm water bath option. Sterilize bottles and pacifiers with steam, or heat breastmilk with the warm water bath function. This model has won several awards, including the "Best Bottle Warmer: Forbes Vetted."
7. Quickest Warmer: Beaba Baby Milk 3-In-1 - $69.99
Heat your bottles in 2 minutes or less using Beaba Baby's steam bottle warmer. Compact, the device can also sterilize bottles and quickly heat your baby's food. The heater accommodates a variety of different bottles, including wide ones.
8. Best for Not Overheating: Kiinde Kozii Pro Baby - $74.99
The Kiinde Kozii bottle warmer is easy to use. Simply turn the knob to heat your bottle or bag of milk. While many parents appreciate the simplicity, it's a bit of a guessing game as to how long it takes. Because the warm water bath heats to a precise, safe temperature, you don't need to worry about overheating your baby's bottle.
9. Best Portable Bottle Warmer: The Baby's Brew - $80
Take your bottle warmer anywhere with this battery-powered portable bottle warmer. Practical for when you're out and about, this model also includes a charging cord. Toss it into your diaper bag with confidence, as this model is leak-free.
Sources:
1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
2. Healthline
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