Night and Day bottle warmer, Microwaving bottles, Tap water??

Question

Is it true that microwaving a bottle is bad? And if so why?

And what about using city tap water?

Because if using city tap water is ok then I could just use that to heat the bottle...you know mix the powder with warm water.

So I bought this bottle warmer and I don't plan on using the cooling part, only the warmer. But it seems like a lot of trouble any ways. Is it worth it? Does it work well? And does anyone know how long it takes to heat a bottle? Is it pretty accurate?

Answer 1

Tap water is fine, but you should let it run for a couple of seconds so that anything settled in the pipes will come out. For extra precaution you should boil it for 5 minutes. You don't necessarily have to have it warm to feed the baby. It can be room temp. Baby's just like it warmer but can drink it both ways. I know cause I feed my baby room temp. & she is just fine with it. What I do that can help you as well is boil about of gallon of water ahead of time, so when you feed baby you can just pour the amount you need, put formula & be on your way. You can even pre-measure in the bottle & just leave the water there when you're on the go or know you have to feed her soon. Or pre-mix. But the bottle is only good for an hour if not in the fridge & can last 24 hrs in the fridge.

Answer 2

Not only will microwaving a bottle cause hot spots but bottles aren't microwavable. The plastic in the bottle will start to break down into your baby's formula. Instead, try getting a large coffee cup and put HOT tap water in it. Then put the bottle in there and wait 5 minutes. That will warm it up. Also a good thing to do is have room temperature bottles of water handy. A baby doesn't have to have warm formula, room temperature is perfect and easier. This is how they did it when my son was in the NICU.

Answer 3

I used tap water for both of my sons, and microwaved their bottles. They're 2 1/2 years old and 14 months old, and they're both still alive to tell about it. :)

The problem with tap water is, if you have a well, the water could have bacteria in it which could harm your baby. Also, well water has no flouride in it (which your baby needs, even before they develop teeth). If you have city water, and it's clean and safe for drinking, you can give it to your baby from birth. The experts are saying now that boiling water or using bottled is no longer necessary, assuming your drinking water is safe.

As for microwaving, you can, but you have to take the lid, nipple and ring completely off. Microwave it for just a little bit (we have a very powerful microwave, so 18 seconds was perfect for us for an 8 oz. bottle). When it's heated, put the top back on, but don't shake vigorously...turn the bottle upside down and back 10 times, slowly, to dispurse any "hot pockets" in the formula that might have developed. (Microwaves can heat very unevenly, and could burn your baby's mouth.)

Also, SOME bottles are microwaveable, contrary to what another poster said. I used the Playtex VentAire bottles, and it's engraved on the top of the bottle in plain English "Remove top before microwaving."

Answer 4

I have one of the warmers and it was nice because the bottle could be heating up while I was changing my son's diaper. You can't microwave breastmilk or formula because it kills the nutrients. You CAN microwave the water for formula and then mix it. If you have a filter on your sink you can fill the bottle with warm water and mix the formula that way. It onlt takes a couple of minutes to heat the bottle in the warmer.

Answer 5

I dont know much about the bottle warmer you have bought but i do know you should never heat your baby`s milk/dinners in the microwave as it heats up unevenly and even though the milk feels cool to you it could still burn your babies mouth.

You should only ever use boiled water to make up your baby`s milk so that it is clean and wont upset your baby`s tummy,so make it up as described then allow to cool-use the cooler part of the bottle warmer!

Answer 6

Babies do not need warm bottles unless yours will not take it at room temp. I use town water straight from the tap, I run it just until it is not cold. When we are out I bring a few bottles of store bought bottled water in the diaper bag, they are always at room temp and you could keep them in a cupboard at home if you do not want to trust tap water. If I had well water that was not tested regularly I would always use bottled water. My town send a report directly to our town website whenever they test the water as long as I check it often I know our water is fine.

Answer 7

I was told by my pediatrician that microwaving bottles isn't reccommended because there can be hot spots in the formula, but if you shake the bottle up thouroughly than test it it will be ok. Just remember to SHAKE. If you can afford it just buy gallons of water and mix the formula with room temprature water. No heating that way and you can give the bottle right away.

Answer 8

I to bought a bottle warmer and in the beginning it worked fine but later on it did not do very well. I think that they are worth it though. The one I bought had this little light on it that told me when it was done heating.

Answer 9

I have never heated my daughter's bottles. We have a water cooler because the tap water where I live contains arsenic, yes arsenic...no one drinks it. When you're baby is old enough to drink milk, at the age of 1 the milk will be cold, get your baby used to cold or room temp water and the transition will be much easier. Check with your local water company about the water.

Answer 10

microwaving bottles is bad because only some parts get hot-- like too hot. also, i heard something aout the plastic sometimes not being microwave safe...

but i did. i used the avent bottles. i would warm the milk/formula and then SHAKE IT and then test it on my wrist..

another option. make the formula in a mug and warm it as if you were making microwave cocoa..... then pour it into the bottle.

my son never, ever got burnt.