Why can’t breast milk be heated in the microwave while regular powdered milk can?

Answer

Hello Sophie,

Mother’s milk contains antibodies that cannot be found in powdered milk. When heating in a microwave oven, high temperatures are often reached, as a result of which those antibodies are partially or completely destroyed. Since you do not want to lose the valuable antibodies of breast milk, it is better to warm the breast milk gradually in a bain-marie or in a bottle warmer, taking into account that temperatures are not too high.

An additional important reason why the use of a microwave oven is not recommended for heating baby food in general (including powdered milk) is to prevent the risk of burns. When heating in a microwave oven, so-called hot spots are created, locally very hot places. This could easily burn the baby while drinking the milk.