What is Flash Heat?

Flash heat is a way of heating pumped breast milk to make it safer for your baby. If there is a concern about virus transmission, pumping milk and flash-heating is another possible way of providing breast milk safely.

Why Do You Need to Flash Heat Breastmilk?

Flash heat helps reduce viruses that may be present in breast milk while preserving most of its nutrients and immune benefits.

How to Flash Heat Breast Milk

Supplies needed:

• Freshly expressed (pumped) breast milk
• A clean glass jar or heat-safe container
• A small pot
• Water

Steps to flash heat breastmilk:

1. Wash and clean everything used for pumping and heating breast milk in hot soapy water.
2. Pump your milk.
3. Pour the needed amount of breast milk (no more than 5 oz or 150 mL at a time) into a clean, glass jar.
4. Place the glass jar inside a small pot.
5. Add water to the pot. The water level should be higher than the milk level in the jar by at least 1.5 inches (2 fingers).
6. Heat the water on the stove over medium heat.
7. Watch it closely.
8. When the water reaches boiling, carefully remove the glass jar of breastmilk from the water.
9. Cover the glass jar.
10. Let the milk cool to a safe feeding temperature and then feed your baby with a bottle or cup.

Helpful Tips:

• Do not boil the milk directly.
• Use clean supplies to prevent contamination.
• Once flash heated, feed your baby with this milk within 4 hours at room temperature or refrigerate right away.
• Always follow your provider’s instructions.