Needed or not needed?

Heat baby food in several ways: a stream of warm water (shaking a bottle) in a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures , In a pan, in a microwave oven. The easiest option, of course, one that is safer and more effective. It is to such experts consider the use of a bottle warmer.

Advantages of the heater is that it allows you to quickly bring to the right temperature all standard containers of baby food - without the risk of subcooling or accidental overheating. Such a device is very suitable for night feedings, as well as performing the function of a thermos (maintains optimum temperature for a long time - from half an hour or more). Ease bottle warmer in the fact that some of their models can be operated simultaneously and from the network and from the car cigarette lighter (with adapter). This allows you to go with a toddler in travel and long trips by car. In addition, some heaters are endowed with the function of the sterilizer.

In addition, the heater - the perfect solution for a gift. If you go on a visit to the house where there is a newborn, the dilemma of "what to present" can be resolved quickly.

The structure of the bottle warmer

Bottle warmer, usually made of heat-resistant safe material used in modern public catering. Comfortable soft bag, which is equipped with a portable heater, making it unbreakable. Most of these bags are made in the form of soft toys - Hippo, dogs, cats. This aesthetic approach - not just entertainment. According to psychologists, toy, which "feeds", contributes to generating the child's appetite. The kid did not care about, because what he will eat. In addition, the toy bag can be used for the second purpose - to play. Many mothers "seated" little animals on a chair beside the child and demonstratively "feed" from the tank first shaggy guest - here, they say, look, what a tasty porridge ...

Disadvantages heater

If the coin has one side, then there exists the second. In addition to the positive qualities, bottle warmer, and can carry a risk. This is only possible when the device - not licensed, but its producer is in doubt.

According to experts, every third item of household appliances in the country - a fake. In the case of heaters this means that at least the device quickly breaks down, high - may cause a short circuit or even a fire (as made from combustible material).

The material from which made the heater (as well as its storage bag) is important in the matter of health safety. If the cabinet or other parts of the heater are made of technical non-food alloys in the air during its operation (or even storing) can form noxious fumes. As a result - a variety of diseases. The main sign of "dangerous" heater in this case - a sharp odor.

To protect themselves from counterfeiting, the heater must be purchased in a market and a pharmacy or in a specialized children's store; read the instructions, in particular - in the recommendations for storage. Do not hold the device on the shelf with non-domestic technical products, as well as in damp places. Technical fault by improper use of the heater may cause it to malfunction. If the instrument approach with "warm" - it will serve and your child, and can go to inheritance.

Irina Maksimenko

Which containers can store breast milk

All containers of breast milk can be divided into hard and soft, and in each category there are different options with their advantages and disadvantages.

Soft containers - a plastic bag for storage of breast milk (of course, they differ from ordinary plastic bags density and other properties).

Solid containers include various sizes of glass and plastic.

For any container of breast milk are presented for two basic requirements:

• Protection of milk and all its valuable components;
• Convenience for the mother and other people who care about the child.

Unfortunately, research on how various storage containers influence human milk, are very few. One study showed that white blood cells in the milk (live cells that transmit immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   to many diseases from mother to child) stick to the walls of glass containers. However, according to the results of the subsequent studies, the milk stored in glass vessels, leukocytes contain more than what was stored in plastic containers - after a time lag from the walls of leukocytes. Studies have also shown that the milk is stored in plastic bags, reduced fat and reduced the number of antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity . This applies, however, only thin packages, which are sold in addition to the bottle of milk and baby food. Is this true for special plastic bags for breast milk is unknown. If you use such thin bags to store breast milk, use two bags for greater reliability.

Special bags for storing breast milk is much more durable and firmly closed. In addition, they usually have a special sticker which you can write the time to express milk. Some types of such a package can be attached to the breast suction, which significantly simplifies express milk.

Currently available scientific evidence suggests that the glass and solid plastic containers still provide better protection of useful substances contained in breast milk. Such containers must be compact, simple-to-cover.

If most of the time you breastfeed your baby, you should not worry about the loss of nutrients during the freezing and exposure to container as if the child is predominantly expressed milk.

Convenience - also a very important factor influencing the choice of method for the storage of milk. Plastic bags take up less space, and because they are disposable, do not have to spend time to wash them. On the other hand, fill them with milk may not be entirely comfortable.

How to wash containers of breast milk

If you express and store milk for healthy, full-term baby is normal, you do not need every time the container is completely decontaminated and chest suction. Suffice it to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water and, before embarking on a breast pump. The packaging of containers for milk and breast suction can also be useful information on how best to wash them (sometimes even allowed to wash in a dishwasher).

Mothers who express milk for sick and / or hospitalized children should be carefully decontaminated containers and breast suction. Detailed instructions in this regard in each case gives the doctor.

What breast milk can be stored in each container

The most practical to store milk in small amounts, about 60-80 ml per container. (If the milk is intended for a child born prematurely, the volume may be even less). As a rule, children who are breast-fed during each feeding consume smaller volumes of milk than babies who are given various substitutes of mother's milk, so that small containers will suffice. Moreover, the smaller the volume of the frozen milk, the faster it defrosts.

If you want to add fresh milk to frozen, pre-cool it in the refrigerator. Always leave 3-4 cm in the tank space to the expansion of freezing milk is not cracked wall of the container. The same recommendation applies to the storage of breast milk in packages.

How to safely transport the breastmilk

Studies show that bacteria can not multiply very rapidly in human milk, and can be safely stored at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or even more. Therefore, if you express milk, for example, at work, not necessarily immediately take it home, refrigerate. You can put a bottle of milk in a container with ice and keep it until the end of the working day.

If you go the short journey with the child, in which, for whatever reason, will not be able to breastfeed, bring a tightly closed bottle of milk. If it's warm, do not leave milk in the car - the temperature inside can rise quickly, and milk will spoil. When you have to drive long-term (more than 10 hours), take it with a portable refrigerator, or a container with ice, in which you can keep a container of milk.