Breastfeeding

Is it safe to reheat a bottle of breast milk?

Should you reheat that unfinished bottle of great milk or throw it out? We break down the answer.

By Karen Robock July 19, 2016

Photo: iStockphoto

It’s not safe to reheat a bottle of breast milk. Give your baby an hour to finish up, and then dump whatever’s left. Once a baby sucks on the bottle, it’s contaminated with saliva and is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Note: Babies don’t require warm milk (whether it’s formula or breast milk).

Have more bottle-feeding questions? Download our chart here and put it on the fridge—it has the answer to all your questions.