Waking up in the middle of the night to feed the baby is exhausting. I’ve been there, bleary-eyed, half-asleep, trying to warm up a bottle while my baby wails in anticipation. All you want is to feed your baby and crawl back into bed for at least a few more minutes of sleep. Hail to the bottle warmer!
There Are 3 Ways to Warm a Baby Bottle at Home
Whether your baby’s bottle is full of breastmilk, formula, cow’s milk, or goat’s milk, it’s important to heat the milk to body temperature (or just below), 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
But don’t go running or stumbling (depending on the time of night) to the microwave. Microwaves are not a safe way to heat up any kind of milk or formula for your baby. Because microwaves heat liquids unevenly, it can lead to hot spots and scald your little one’s mouth. Microwaves can also destroy the milk’s nutrients, making it completely useless. So it’s important to do it right!
There are a few ways to heat a bottle.
- In a bowl of warm water. This method involves submerging the baby bottle in a bowl of warm water. This is fairly easy to do, but it requires you to have a large bowl on hand, wait for the hot water to show up in your tap. Then you need to submerge the bottle in a large bowl of water long enough that it heats up the milk.
- Directly under the faucet. Another option is to simply hold the bottle under warm tap water. Swirling the milk inside the bottle, you hold the bottle under the faucet’s warm running water. Again, this is not difficult, but it takes time, and it requires two hands — not ideal when you’re trying to juggle a hungry baby at the same time.
- Use a bottle warmer! It’s a great invention! You can even use one in the nursery or your bedroom, so you don’t need to trek down to the kitchen. And your bottle can be ready in just a few minutes!
How Do You Warm Baby Bottles When Away from Home?
Warming a bottle while on the move is always challenging. There are several ways you can go about it.
- Use an insulated thermos. Carry hot water in an insulated thermos. You can use this water to warm the milk to the right temperature. You do need a large cup or bowl on hand to put the bottle in with the hot water.
- Public bathroom faucet. If you have access to public restroom faucet with running hot water, pass the bottle under the faucet for a few minutes to warm the milk. This method isn’t for everyone since public restrooms are not necessarily very clean or hygienic spaces.
- Ask a restaurant for hot water. You can ask the staff at a coffee shop or restaurant to run the bottle under hot water, or ask them to bring you some hot water. The trick here is trying to find a container big enough to put the bottle into for warming.
- Use a portable bottle warmer. Ah, yes, this is a worthwhile invention! There are portable bottle warmers out there that are made specifically for while you’re out and about with your baby in tow.
Read our full guide with more tips on how to warm a baby bottle on-the-go.
How Does a Baby Bottle Warmer Work?
When you put a baby bottle into a bottle warmer, it heats the bottle in one of two ways.
Steam Heat
This heating method heats water to a steam which comes into contact with the bottle to warm it. This method is often the fastest means to a warm baby bottle, but it does have the risk of overheating a bottle. The surfaces of the bottle may also be very hot, so you typically need to let it cool for a few minutes before picking it up.
Water Circulation
With this kind of bottle warmer, water circulates around the bottle for even distribution of heat. The warmer gently heats up the milk until it gets to the best temperature for the baby. This is often a slower heating process, but you do not have the scalding risk. You will, however, still need to check the temperature of the milk on your wrist before giving it to your baby.
Best Bottle Warmers
Not all warmers are made equal, so it is a good idea to explore your options carefully before making a decision. Here’s a list of some of the best bottle warmers available in the market today.
1. First Years Cravings Bottle Warmer
Buy on Amazon
This bottle warmer comes with a removable cooler, which makes it an ideal solution if you want to keep bottles in the nursery for night time feeding. The cooler will keep the bottle chilled during the night so that when it’s time to feed your baby, you can remove the bottle from the cooler and warm it to the ideal temperature in a matter of minutes. No need to head for the kitchen when you have this bottle warmer in your home!
Additionally, this bottle warmer fits all kinds of bottles including straight, wide-neck, and even those that are angled. And, for those of you who like to prep things in advance, this warmer can be pre-filled with water so you don’t need to fidget with it later on.
Unfortunately, warming is a little inconsistent due to the steam heating technology. This appliance might take some time to get used to, but with some practice, you can determine the ideal warming times and use it effectively.
- Pros: Quick heating time, fits all bottle types, easy to use and clean, includes a cooler and a nightlight.
- Cons: Inconsistent warming, and you cannot use glass bottles in this warmer.
2. Kiinde Kozii
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The Kiinde Kozii is one of the best bottle warmers available. One of the things I really like about this warmer is how it heats up bottles. The appliance uses water circulation to warm the milk and has really good temperature control.
The temperature never reaches a point where the milk becomes scalding hot like a steam-operated warmer. And, when the warming cycle is complete, the water drains automatically, which means there’s never a chance of overheating. The bottle will be at the required temperature even if you’re distracted. As with any good bottle warmer, this one does not take long to heat a bottle so you can warm another bottle just a few minutes after warming the first.
The biggest disadvantage of Kiinde Kozii is that it isn’t easy to clean. The water reservoir requires a special cleaning process. Refer to the product manual for cleaning directions.
- Pros: Quick heating time, fits all types of bottles, easy to use, no risk of scalding, and no need to refill water for each bottle.
- Cons: Difficult to clean. You may need to wait a few minutes between bottles if you have more than one to heat.
3. Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer
Buy on Amazon
If you need to feed multiple children, Dr. Brown’s warmer is the ideal solution. Take note, moms of twins! You can warm bottles back-to-back, without any wait time at all. This can make feeding multiple babies much easier! You don’t even need to replenish the water between bottles unless it is soiled or stale.
This is a steam heating bottle warmer and is very quick and easy to use. At any time in the process, you can turn the warmer up with the click of a button. There’s also a programmable LCD control panel so you can really customize the settings according to your specific requirements.
The downside is that there’s a real chance of the milk overheating and scalding the baby’s mouth if you’re not careful. The other thing you’ll want to be aware of is bottle size. This warmer accepts all of the Dr. Brown bottles and most other brands/models (but not all). Definitely, check the dimensions before buying alternate brand bottles.
- Pros: Quick heating time, easy to use, no need to refill water after each bottle.
- Cons: Does not fit all bottle types, risk of overheating/scalding.
4. Philips Avent Bottle Warmer
Buy on Amazon
Philip’s bottle and food warmer is compact and convenient. This warmer will heat the milk or food in three to five minutes. So, not incredibly quick, but it’s within a reasonable timeframe. All you need to do is add water and switch the warmer on. It also features a defrost setting, so you can directly put freezer-stored milk into the warmer.
In terms of maintenance, it’s relatively easy to clean and is actually recommended for travel due to its easy-to-use nature. As with all good bottle warmers, this one accommodates different brands and bottle sizes.
The only downside is that sometimes the warmth of the bottles isn’t super-efficient. I suggest testing the milk on your wrist to determine if you need to heat it further.
- Pros: Fits most bottle types, easy to use, easy to clean, includes a defrost setting.
- Cons: Heating time can take up to five minutes, and you may experience inconsistent warming.
5. Munchkin Digital Bottle Warmer
Buy on Target
This is a steam warmer and will heat your bottles quickly in 2 minutes. The appliance is easy-to-use and doesn’t require any special components. You can just pour water in the reservoir and place the bottle inside.
Like most good bottle warmers, it can fit most all size bottles with its lift-up tray. It also has a digital memory feature, so it will remember your exact settings. This is especially useful if you’re using the same amount of milk and bottles during each feeding.
Unfortunately, this warmer cannot do immediate back-to-back bottles and requires three minutes to cool down before warming again. That’s not a long time, but it’s still a wait time! Another point of caution: the steam in this warmer is very hot, so you do have the burn risk present. Definitely take precautions when using this one so you don’t scald yourself!
- Pros: Quick heating time, easy to use, easy to clean, consistent warming.
- Cons: Risk of overheating/scalding, cannot warm back-to-back bottles without cooling first.
6. Baby Brezza Smart Bottle Warmer
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The Baby Brezza Smart bottle is really useful for those of you who might heat both breastmilk and formula. The warmer has two modes to improve warming efficiency depending on what you are warming: steady warm for breastmilk and quick warm for formula. It also comes with a handy warming guide so you can adjust the temperatures accordingly.
Another unique feature of this bottle warmer is its smart capabilities. You can use a Baby Brezza app to operate the bottle warmer and be notified when the bottle is finished warming.
One thing to be aware of is that the Baby Brezza might not be the best option for you if you have tall baby bottles. This appliance is short and compact and only suitable for smaller bottles. It also has a tendency to overheat bottles if you’re not paying attention, so it is a good idea to check the temperature before feeding the baby. Note: this is also one of the more expensive options on the list.
- Pros: Quick heating time with two settings, easy to use, and easy to clean.
- Cons: Does not fit all bottles, risk of overheating, and a little pricier than other warmers.
7. BEABA Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
Buy on Amazon
With a fun splash of neon, the BEABA bottle warmer is simple and compact yet completely versatile: it functions as both a warmer and sterilizer. And due to its size, it’s an excellent bottle warmer for travel.
One of the other unique features in this warmer is its air-tight lid. You can keep a baby bottle warm for extended periods of time, so if your little one needs a break, just pop the bottle back into the warmer and be assured you can come back to a warm bottle when your baby is ready.
The warmer emits a beep at the end of the warming cycle, and it heats quickly (about two minutes). It will also automatically shut off after it is done warming to prevent overheating.
One of the downsides is that it uses steam heating technology, which means it isn’t as safe as some of the other products on my list. BEABA warmers do require maintenance— an overnight, intensive descaling process every 10 days.
- Pros: Quick heating time, easy to use, and it functions as a sterilizer.
- Cons: Requires an extensive cleaning process every 10 days and some risk of overheating/scalding.
8. First Years Simple Serve Bottle Warmer
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This bottle warmer does far more than heat up your baby’s bottles! Not only will this heat breast milk and formula bottles, but it will also warm baby food jars, and it will sanitize multiple pacifiers at once. Even though it has many functions, it remains small, compact, and easy-to-use.
While there is some risk of scalding since it uses steam, it comes with some great safety features. I love that this comes with an automatic timing feature to ensure your baby’s bottle doesn’t get too hot (although, always test on your wrist first). And it also has an automatic shut-off feature so you don’t need to worry about accidentally leaving it on.
You’ll want to clean this warmer often to avoid mineral deposit buildup. Simply let the vinegar sit in the warming chamber for an hour or two and rinse the chamber a few times with clean tap water. While it is pretty minimal cleaning intensity, it does put the warmer out of commission for a period of time. Take note that the time to heat a bottle can extend up to 5 minutes depending on the size of the bottle.
- Pros: Heats baby bottles, baby food jars, and sanitizes pacifiers. It fits all baby bottle types, and it’s a nice compact size. It also has an automatic timing system to avoid overheating bottles, and it has an automatic shut-off safety feature.
- Cons: Cleaning can take a while for the vinegar to sit, and it can take a bit longer to heat the bigger bottles. Due to steam heat, there is some risk of scalding.
9. Boon Orb Bottle Warmer
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The Boon Orb is probably one of the most simple bottle warmers on the market, but sometimes simplicity is all you need. Its compact fit will heat your baby bottles evenly without risk of hot spots. I love the sleek design and the fact that it has a non-skid base, which means you can one-hand it if you need to.
It fits all bottles (except for glass bottles) and heats quickly. Note that some parents have said that the warmer can be hot to touch after a bottle warms, so use caution and keep your little ones away from it! Thankfully, it does have an auto-shutoff, which adds peace of mind when you’re trying to calm a hungry baby in the wee hours of the morning.
For cleaning, all you need to do is a general wipe-and-rinse from week-to-week. It is recommended you do a more thorough cleaning inside the warming chamber once per month. You’ll also be pleased to know that some of the warmer parts can be thrown in the dishwasher for thorough cleaning.
The biggest downside is that it is known for overheating bottles. Unfortunately, the warmer doesn’t give an audible signal when a bottle is done, which means the bottle might sit in the warmer for too long. I recommend setting your own timer. Note also that Boon recommends you wait 10 minutes between uses for sufficient cooldown.
- Pros: Quick heating time, fits all bottle types (except for glass), easy to use, and clean.
- Cons: Known for overheating bottles, some risk of scalding, no audible timer, and there is a substantial wait time between uses.
Related: The Best Breast Pumps: How to Choose The Right One for You
10. Tommee Tippee Portable Travel Bottle Warmer
Buy on Amazon
The best portable bottle warmer is the Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle Warmer. It’s very compact and easy to use. Simply fill the insulated container up with hot water and store, closing the airtight lid. When you’re ready to warm up a bottle, you place your bottle in the provided beaker and pour the hot water into the container. The water in the thermos should stay warm enough to heat your bottle for 6-8 hours, so it’s an excellent way to prepare bottles if you’re on-the-go for an afternoon!
More Tips for Selecting a Bottle Warmer
Baby bottle warmers are not all the same. There are many features you may want to look at when considering your purchase.
Warming Time
When you hear your baby wail, you will want that bottle heated quickly so you can get your baby back to sleep or at least back to smiling. A good bottle warmer should not take long to heat a bottle. I personally think anything over 5 minutes is too long, but you will find that some bottle warmers are for more patient people and can take up to 7 minutes.
Easy to Use
Definitely consider how easy the bottle warmer is to use. By this, I mean make sure that warming a bottle is a simple process. You don’t want anything overcomplicated especially in the wee hours of the morning. You may want to focus on the size of the warming unit, if a night light is included, or if the warmer includes a water prefill option. Ease of use definitely depends on the particulars of your lifestyle. But just remember, this will be a middle-of-the-night, bleary-eyed task, so the bottom line is always strive for minimal effort.
Easy Clean-Up
As with any baby device, you have to clean it for general upkeep. Most bottle warmers are similar to how you would clean a humidifier: a good swish of vinegar and plenty of rinsing!
Accepts All Kinds of Bottles
You want to make sure that your bottle warmer can heat all kinds of baby bottles. When you start to bottle feed your baby, you will likely go through several different models. Babies have preferences! His bottle preference might even change as he grows and changes, making it crucial that your warmer can handle all shapes and sizes!
Keeping Warm for Long Periods of Time
Check to see how long the bottle warmer will keep the milk warm. Sometimes, it’s helpful for a bottle to remain warm for at least 30 minutes. Having the option to keep the bottle warm if your little one doesn’t take it right away can be hugely useful.
Sterilizing
Some bottle warmers include a bottle sterilizing feature as well. This can be very useful, especially in those early months when you want to keep baby bottles as clean and hygienic as possible.
Cooler
Having a cooler as part of the bottle warmer means you can store bottles in the cooler at night. It simplifies the task so that it’s a matter of taking a bottle from the cooler, placing it in the warmer, and then feeding your baby.
Related: The Complete Guide to The Best Glass Baby Bottles
FAQs About Baby Bottle Warmers
Have more questions about bottle warmers? Read on!
Which bottle warmer is best?
The best bottle warmer will really depend on the one that suits your particular needs and lifestyle. I recommend you consider ease of use, space constraints, how often you’ll need to use the warmer, as well as the frequency of maintenance and cleaning.
Do you really need a bottle warmer?
A bottle warmer is one of the convenient ways to heat a baby bottle. So while there are other methods for heating a bottle under a faucet or in a bowl of warm water, those can take a long time to prepare and often tie up your hands. A bottle warmer is fast, easy, gives you both hands to tend to your hungry baby, and they also preserve all of the nutrients in both breast milk and formula. Bottle warmers are not essential, but they are one of the top used items that will easily become a staple in your household if your baby takes regular bottles.
Do all bottle warmers fit all bottles?
Most quality bottle warmers will fit multiple bottle styles and sizes. This is especially important since your baby will likely try multiple bottles before he settles on one he likes. As your baby grows, he will also take larger bottles. Make sure the bottle warmer you purchase will accommodate all bottles because not all of them do.
Are bottle warmers safe?
Bottle warmers are a reliable and safe way to heat your baby’s breastmilk or formula. Some bottle warmers do use steam, which can come with a risk of scalding. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions, keep it in a safe place out of reach from young children, and test the warmed milk on your wrist before giving it to your baby.
Can babies drink cold breastmilk or formula?
You’ll notice that when you look at cold breastmilk, it will have a separation between the fat and the breastmilk. It’s really important to mix the fat back in, which is done through warming. So, while you technically can give your baby a bottle of cold breastmilk, it won’t be nearly as nutrient-rich as warmed, mixed breastmilk.
You can also give your baby cold formula, but your baby might not always take it. Often babies prefer their bottles to be closer to room temperature or warmed to body temperature. Just follow safety protocols with your formula, using appropriate clean water and safe food handling practices.
Can cold formula upset my baby’s stomach?
If you give your baby cold formula, your baby might love it! There is a chance that your baby won’t like it, but it would be more of a taste concern than an upset stomach.
Can you leave a bottle warmer on all night?
It is not recommended to leave your bottle warmer on all night unless your manufacturer instructions say it is safe to do so. You don’t want the warmer to overheat or be a fire hazard.
Are bottle warmers worth it?
Like many modern baby gadgets and tools, bottle warmers are a matter of convenience. Unlike other bottle heating methods, a warmer doesn’t require your entire focus. You can focus on your hungry baby until the bottle is ready (in just a couple of minutes!) And you can reliably have an evenly warmed bottle of milk that retains all its nutrients for your growing baby. Super easy and well worth the investment if your baby uses bottles daily!
I hope this guide to the best bottle warmers helps you find the best one for your lifestyle! Which bottle warmer did you choose?
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