....i have managed for the first time to express milk so i can actually leave the house with oliver for more than 3 hours at a time. however. i have realised that i have no idea whether i am meant to heat it up before i give it to him or not? obviously he is used to feeding straight from me and milk i assume is therefore body temperature, but is it ok to give it to him straight from bottle. if i am meant to heat it up, then do i do this with a microwave, or run it under a hot tap, or put it in a glass of warm water?

god im so confused!!

love to all mums, bumps and babies
kelly and 15 day old oliver
xx

It's up to you really. My son used to be happy to drink his milk at any kinda temperature and I think actually preferred it slightly cooler as he would never drink it too warm - unless it was straight from my boob obviously! If you are planning on taking a bottle out with you, then keeping it in a thermal bag will probably warm it slightly anyway, but you can always heat it in the microwave, most pubs, cafes and restaurants will heat them for you these days if you just ask. Personally I would try it as it is, and you will soon find out by your baby's reaction if they want it warmer!! I know they recommend not using microwaves to heat up bottles, so you can always use the hot water trick if you want, but I never had the patience to do this as it takes ages! It's much quicker to zap it in the microwave and let it cool slightly.

Good luck!
Lisa n bump 13+6 x

Boots have made a handy little bag that has like the cooler bag bags inside but what you do it put it under warm water then back in the bag with the bottle and it keeps the bottle warm but not hot for when you are out it was only around £3 or £4, also when I used to bottle feed most places wouldnt give me hot water to warm it up as its against health and safety apparently! I used to have to sit down buy a pot of tea and use the hot water they give you in the pot ridiculous! Also microwave use they say not to do * even though I think everyone does at some point* because of hot spots if you do use a microwave make sure you shake it thoroughly before use as you can have hot spots which will scald babies mouth.

I was interested in knowing too, so i did a little googling for ya:

The Storage and Handling of Breast Milk

Preparation and Hygiene
Always wash your hands thoroughly before you pump your breasts.
A daily shower or bath will keep your breasts clean.
After each use of a breast pump, wash all the parts that come into contact with your milk. Use hot soapy water.
Tell your doctor and your baby's doctor if you become ill or need to take any medication.
Collection of Milk
Pour the milk expressed during one pumping session into a clean plastic container. (Plastic is better than glass because some of the immune factors in breast milk stick to glass.) You may use a plastic bottle that has been washed in soapy water and rinsed, or a disposable bottle bag. If you use disposable bottle bags, put one inside another to prevent tears or holes.
Tightly cap bottles. Do not store bottles with nipples attached. Bottle bags are best closed with a clean rubber band.
Label each container with your baby's name and the date and time the milk was expressed.
Put several bottle bags in a larger plastic bag to prevent them from sticking to the freezer shelf.

Storage of Breast Milk
Milk may be stored:
In the refrigerator for at least 72 hours after pumping and 24 hours after thawing (assuming the temperature of the refrigerator is 34F to 40F, or 1C to 4 C)
In a freezer inside a refrigerator for up to 3 weeks after pumping (assuming the temperature of the freezer is 20F to 28F, or -7C to -2C)
In a separate-door freezer for up to 3 months after pumping (assuming the temperature of the freezer is 5F to 15F, or -15C to -9C)
In a deep freezer for up to 6 months after pumping (assuming the temperature of the freezer is 0 degrees F or below, or -18 degrees C or below).

Thawing of Milk
Milk may be thawed:
Slowly in the refrigerator. Volumes of 3 or more ounces (100 or more milliliters) of milk may take several hours to thaw.
Relatively quickly under running warm water or by placing it in a bowl of warm water. Be sure the top of the container remains above the water at all times. Do not thaw milk at room temperature.

Warming of Milk
You need only to take the chill off cold milk. You do not need to heat it. You may warm chilled milk:

under warm running water
in a pan of warm water (not over direct heat)
in a purchased bottle warmer.

About Microwave Heating
Authorities recommend AGAINST using a microwave oven to either thaw or heat expressed milk. Milk can overheat very easily in a microwave. Babies have been accidentally burned by milk that was too hot. Furthermore, many of the immune properties of breast milk can be destroyed by overheating.

Additional Recommendations
DO NOT thaw milk by letting it sit out of the refrigerator or freezer at room temperature.
DO NOT overheat milk. Overheating will cause it to curdle and will destroy some immune components.
DO NOT leave milk at room temperature for more than 1 hour.
Milk may be reheated and used for the next feeding if it has not been left at room temperature for more than 1 hour. Throw out any milk left after a second feeding.
DO NOT refreeze thawed milk.
DO NOT store milk in the door of your freezer, where the temperature may change frequently.
Always transport milk on ice in an insulated cooler.
For healthy babies who are not in the hospital, it is safe to layer milk collected at different times on the same day in the same bottle. Chill freshly expressed milk in the refrigerator before adding it to previously frozen milk.

that you express into? I put some post on the forum yesterday, see 'sterilising' about where to store the bottles once sterilised as well and how long they're then good for, please help!xxx

Anne-Marie 37+5

someones asked cause i really want to know...