Which Milk Warmer Do You Use?

[mgturtle]

I am aware of 2 hospital grade milk warmers used in different NICU's:

• Medela Waterless Milk Warmer
  
• Creche Innovations Penquin Warmer
  

Does anyone use anything different? Anything better?

[nktxo]

We use the Medela Waterless Milk Warmers :)

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

We use Penguins.

[serenitymmason]

We warm up our milk in a hospital pitcher of hot water, works just as well as milk warmers!

[meganec17]

I interned in the NICU and we used pitchers filled with warm water.

[NICUNurseEliz]

We use the Medela Waterless Warmers and change out the liners q24 hours. We used to just use pitchers and warm water but we love the warmers now and only use warm water if the Medela is occupied (we only have one per pod). There are some concerns about using water, whether just theoretical or truly evidence-based:

1) That bottles sitting in water can be an infection source.

2) That milk warmed inconsistently or not warm enough can contribute to feeding intolerance.

3) That breastmilk warmed in water that is too hot will have some of its nutrients damaged.

When I work next, I will see what literature I can find to support my claims. :)

[serenitymmason]

I see your concerns and often wonder that myself, however I am fairly new to our unit and seeing as they have been doing this for decades I just assume it works best for us.

1. We make a point to wash our pitcher every shift (BID or even QID depending on staffing).

2. We do of course see feeding intolerance as does every unit but I think our kids do fairly well.

3. I would be very interested in what you find out about nutrient damage though!

Thanks for sharing!

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

Overwarming breastmilk can damage proteins and antibodies. That is why moms own milk over donated milk is preferred. Donated milk is still better than formula any day.

[Chanceygrl]

We use medela waterless

[NICUNurseEliz]

Overwarming breastmilk can damage proteins and antibodies. That is why moms own milk over donated milk is preferred. Donated milk is still better than formula any day.

Absolutely! We don't have donor milk in place yet and it's so unfortunate to be giving formula (especially high calorie ones) to micropremies. Our NEC rate is quite high. It's improving with more moms pumping, more controlled protocols for blood transfusions, and the milk warmers, but still significantly high.

[ScammRNC]

We use Penguins. Gave up the pitcher with warm water quite a few years ago.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Penguins here. They are a big step above the pitchers of warm water!