How to choose the best bottle warmer for your needs
There is a lot of essential equipment when you have a baby and with a whole host of non-essential items to add to the list, it can be difficult to know what is worth buying. One such item is a bottle warmer, but the good news is that this can be a convenient way to warm up your baby’s milk (breast or formula) and can certainly make a new parent’s life easier, so it may be time to think about the right one for your needs.
When to use a bottle warmer?
There are plenty of times when a bottle warmer can come in handy, especially if parents are making up bottles in advance and storing them in the fridge. The suggested warm-up method is to stand the bottle in freshly boiled water, but this can take quite some time (it is never advised to use a microwave, as this can create hot spots that can scold or burn the baby’s mouth). Bottle warmers can save time and provide a more consistent heat so you can switch it on, let it warm up and feed your baby with little fuss.
Key features to look out for
The top feature to look out for is convenience, so be sure to check the warm-up times, multiple heat settings and even how simple the device will be to clean. Different models will come in varying shapes and sizes, so always buy once you have your preferred bottles in mind and to ensure that they will fit (remember that the bottles you use will change as your baby grows).
Additional features can include:
- USB charging capabilities
- Defrost for frozen milk
- Size options for multi-bottle warming capabilities
- Chiller capabilities to cool down bottles that are too hot
- Audio/visual signals when the bottle is ready
- Sterilisation
- Portability
- Minimal components for easy assemble/clean up
- Remote control
As there are advancements in tech every year, it may be worthwhile to check out the latest models on the market but remember that simple functionality can often outperform a host of digital functions that may prove useless depending on your preferences.
How to choose the right bottle warmer
Keep in mind that your needs won’t be the same as those of other parents and there will be features that may suit you outside of the ones on offer from top trending brands. Think about whether you’d like your bottle warmer to fit multiple bottles or if in-car charging will come in handy.
You likely won’t need all the above features either, so spend some time outlining how and when you will use your bottle warmer (if you want it to help with night feeds for example, a remote-controlled model could be ideal). If you choose a brand that has too many features, it may not perform as you’d hoped regarding the ones you do need. If you simply go for one that is suggested by others (whether that’s friends and family or online reviews), you may end up finding the bottle warmer doesn’t meet your needs and won’t use it long term, which could lead to a wasted investment.
Key takeaways when buying a bottle warmer
Always have your needs as a new parent in mind and define exactly what you’re looking for before making a purchase to ensure your device works best for you.