Which bottle warmer should you choose?

When breastfeeding, there is no problem with heating food for the baby, because mother's milk comes to the crumbs already heated to the optimal temperature. But for babies receiving expressed milk or formula, care should be taken to keep them warm. A modern way to quickly heat up baby food is to use a special warmer. For parents to acquire the best model, they need to learn more about such useful inventions.

Features:

The external design of different types of heaters is different, but the design of most of these devices has a heating element and a bowl for water, as well as a control relay and an electrical cord.
In some models, only bottles from the same manufacturer can be inserted, but there are also universal heaters with a wide container in which you can heat a container of any size.
All appliances are capable of heating cold milk and food at room temperature, but only some models can cope with heating frozen milk.
Many devices need to cool down for a while after heating one bottle before using it again.
All modern warmers have an automatic shutdown option, which prevents the contents of the bottle from overheating.
In some devices, the temperature level to which the bottle with food is heated is set in advance and does not change, in others it can be adjusted by setting it yourself.

Is it necessary?

In young children, the digestive tract is highly sensitive to the quality of food, as well as to its temperature. Ideally, the food entering the baby's digestive tract should be at a temperature close to body temperature. Such food is best absorbed.

To reheat food, in the past, they used a container of hot water held on the stove. At the same time, it was difficult to guess the right food temperature for the baby (the bottle often overheated and had to wait for it to cool).

Compared to this method, a modern heater has the following advantages:

Baby food heats up quickly.
For some time after heating, the supply temperature remains at the same level.
The device is compact and easy to use.

If parents do not want to keep the heated mixture in such a device for a long time, they can only heat water in it, and when the time comes for feeding, add the right amount of the mixture to it and stir in order to quickly get ready food for the baby.

Principle of operation

The operation of the heaters is based on a water bath. The water poured into the bowl heats up and transfers heat to the bottle of food placed in it. The user sets the desired temperature mode, so that the temperature of the water in the container and the food in the bottle remains at the same level after heating.

At what age to apply?

It is required to warm up the food for the baby in cases when the baby receives a mixture or expressed mother's milk. This may be needed from the first days of a baby's life.

Kinds

Depending on the characteristics of heating, the heaters are steam, hot and warm water. Steam devices are filled with water in a small volume, then it is converted into steam, under the influence of which the bottle heats up quickly.

Devices working with warm water heat it up to a maximum of + 50 ° С, so it will not work to overheat the bottle in such a device. However, if you have poured cold water into the container of such a heater, the wait for the food in the bottle to heat up will be quite long.

In devices with hot water, the required food temperature is reached very quickly, since the water heats up to a boil, but if the bottle remains in the container longer, it will overheat.

Let's list the pros and cons of each type of heater:

Sterilizer-warmer for bottles 2 in 1

In devices of this type, you can not only heat the milk in a bottle, but also sterilize the container after feeding. In most of these devices with combined functions, only one bottle can be processed at a time, but there are models for 2-3 bottles.

Keep warm function

Most bottle warmers are able to maintain its temperature for some time after heating the food due to the presence of a thermostat. This allows the mother not to wait for a heated bottle next to the device, but to go about her business, and then feed the baby warm food when she needs it.

Electrical and digital models

Almost all heaters are powered by the mains and are easy to control, but there are also models with digital control, the advantages of which are:

The ability to set the heating temperature taking into account the consistency and the initial temperature of the food.
Temperature display on display.
Automatic maintenance of the set temperature.
The presence of signals about the end of heating.

Popular brands

Avent

The warmer from this manufacturer weighs 740 g and can heat jars, bottles and containers of baby food. At the same time, the device has separate operating modes for heating milk (one mode for bottles with a capacity of less than 180 ml and a second mode for bottles with a larger capacity) and a thick mixture, as well as a defrost mode. The device is equipped with a manual switch and is backlit.

Maman

The range of this manufacturer includes classic heaters, car devices, digital models, as well as devices with a sterilization function. The advantages of the LS-B202 device of this brand are called compatibility with any bottles, quick heating and the ability to smoothly regulate the temperature. The complete set of such a device includes a glass and a citrus juicer.

Model LS-C001 can be used in a car. It does not need water to work, in such a compact device you can heat any kind of baby bottles and keep food for the baby warm when traveling.

Chicco

The device from this manufacturer weighs 490 g and has a power of 120 watts. When the temperature of the water in his tank heats up to + 37 ° C, the user hears a 5-time beep and sees a green indicator light. If the device continues to operate without shutting down after a signal, it is heated for 1 hour, and then the heater is automatically turned off. The device is equipped with a holder that helps to use small jars and bottles.

Laica

The advantages of the BC1006 and BC1007 devices from this manufacturer are their functionality and simple design. These heaters have two modes - for thick and for liquid feed. The BC1006 device is equipped with a glass with a lid, and in the BC1007 model there is an additional lift for the bottles.

B.Well

The range of this brand includes compact and portable heaters, as well as devices with a sterilization function. The WK-133 model is distinguished by the presence of three temperature modes, heats the food evenly, maintains the temperature after heating and is very easy to operate.

Model WK-140, in addition to two temperature modes, has a sterilization option. At the same time, the device can simultaneously heat food and sterilize up to 3 bottles. This device comes with a pair of forceps, a nipple tray and a bottle holder.

For use in a car, the brand offers the WK-131 model. In it, the bottles quickly heat up to + 40 ° C, their heat is retained for 3 hours after heating. This compact device can also store refrigerated food.

Medela

This manufacturer offers a device that warms liquid or baby food up to + 34 ° C, including frozen food. The device weighs 1 kg, has a power of 185 W, is equipped with an auto-off function, built-in backlight and sound notification.

Tephal

The bottle warmer from this manufacturer has a container large enough to hold containers of different sizes. The advantage of the device is the combination of two functions - heating and sterilization. The quality of such a heater is at a height, as is its cost.

Topcom car baby food warmer

In addition to stationary home-powered bottle warmers, there are also warmers that can be operated while traveling by car. One of the most popular is Topcom.

The main advantages of such a heater:

Compactness and lightness. Such a handbag weighs 310 g, and its dimensions are 10x10x26 cm.
Fast enough heating of food for the child. A 200 ml bottle in such a car device can be heated up to + 50 ° С in 20 minutes.
No water is required to heat the feed. Such a device is represented by a bag, which has a special fabric inside and a nylon coating on top.
The ability to use in the car from the cigarette lighter. This heater is powered by a 12V source, but thanks to the inverter it can also be connected to 220V.
Keeping warm after heating. Since the bag has an insulating layer, it functions like a thermos and is able to keep food warm for a long period.

Which one is better to choose?

When purchasing a heater, appreciate the versatility of the device. Not all models are suitable for heating wide or disposable containers, so it is better to immediately look after the device, in the container of which you can heat food placed in different dishes.

Other important questions when buying a heater are:

What material is it made of. It is important that all elements that will come into contact with the bottle are made of materials that are safe for children.
How safe is the device? The device must be provided with an automatic shutdown.
How to operate the device. The best choice would be devices that have easy-to-use buttons with easy-to-understand icons. When buying a device without a push button, you will have to constantly disconnect its cord from the mains, which will lead to rapid wear. Convenient if the heater can be turned on with one hand. Also, for the comfort of use, it is important to have a basket that helps to lower and remove the bottle without additional devices.
What is the length of the cord. If the cord in the model is long, you will be able to heat food near the baby's crib, regardless of whether there is a power outlet nearby.
Is it possible to adjust the heating level. In simple models, heating is carried out to a fixed temperature, and if there is a thermostat, you can select the heating mode, taking into account the amount of power and its density.
Are there any additional features. In many devices, the end of heating can be recognized by an audible or light signal. If the device has a timer, the food can be reheated at a specific time, for example, for breakfast. The presence of an electronic display on which the temperature is displayed is important for urgent heating of the power supply. It should not be forgotten that a large list of additional features affects the cost of the device. When buying a smart model, evaluate whether you need all the features or if you prefer an easier-to-use device.

Instructions for use

Place a bottle of water or food in the bowl of the appliance, and then pour cold water into the container.
For low bottles, fill the water slightly higher than the feed level. If the bottle is tall, fill the container with enough water so that the level is 1.5 cm lower than the edge of the container.
Select the desired switch position and turn on the device.
Wait for the signal that the preset heating temperature has been reached.
Remove the bottle carefully and shake it to mix the contents evenly.
Before feeding your baby, check the temperature by dripping a little on the skin of the forearm.
Rinse the bowl of the appliance with running water after use. Descale it regularly by using acetic or citric acid in such cleaning.

Watch a short video tutorial on using the heater using the Avent device as an example.

Operational safety

Before turning on the heater for the first time, carefully read the instructions for the device. Install the appliance away from water, and when heating is complete, disconnect the heater cord from the mains.

For longer service life and safer use, also follow these guidelines:

Install the appliance only on a flat, solid surface.
Do not let your child play with the heater.
Before each switching on, inspect the integrity of the device. If you find any damage, contact the store (if the warranty period is still valid) or a repair shop.
Do not pour water over the edges of the device.
Pour filtered water into the heater tank. This will reduce the rate of scale formation.
For faster heating, fill the tank with water at room temperature.
Before cleaning the appliance bowl, make sure that the appliance is unplugged and completely cooled down.

Reviews

Mothers who used the heater, in most cases, were satisfied with this device. Women who are forced to express and freeze breast milk speak especially positively about such devices. The heater also helps with the start of the introduction of complementary foods, when you need to quickly heat the puree stored in the refrigerator. Most moms speak positively about budget heaters, noting that they do their job well. Expensive appliances are bought less often, but everyone who used such heaters is completely satisfied with their work.

Those who feed the baby with a mixture often consider the heater to be an unnecessary device, since most often the mixture is prepared fresh for each feeding.