WATTIES ForBaby

What Parents Need To Know About Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens are now part of many kitchens and as a new parent or grandparent, you will be very thankful for this great little time saver.

Quick, simple meals can be prepared and cooked in the time that it takes to drive to the takeaway.

A microwave oven is also a very convenient way to heat or cook food for a growing baby. However there are some important points to note if you use your microwave to prepare your baby's food or drinks. Read this information carefully.

How Does Food Cook In A Microwave?
Microwaves are absorbed by water molecules in the food which vibrate, creating friction and producing heat. (A bit like rubbing hands together on a cold day!) This heat then cooks the food. Once the oven is turned off the food will continue to cook by the heat generated within the food. This explains why food cooked in the microwave requires standing time after being removed from the microwave oven.

Standing time should equal cooking time.

Warning: Always thoroughly stir food or drink that has been heated or cooked in a microwave before feeding. This evenly distributes the heat and prevents ‘hot spots’. This is particularly important when feeding your baby or young child.

Does Microwave Cooking Affect The Nutrients In Food?
Microwave cooking is fast and requires little or no added water. Because fruits and vegetables are cooked quickly, this helps to reduce vitamin losses. Some people prefer the flavour and texture of vegetables cooked in the microwave to those that have been boiled or steamed.

For younger babies, cooking fruit and vegetables in a smaller steamer or pot with water may produce a softer vegetable that will puree or mash more easily - compare the results and see what suits you best.

Enjoy the convenience of microwave cooking but take care when preparing food and bottles so that there is no chance of injury to your baby.

Should You Heat Baby's Bottle In The Microwave Oven?
Because there is a risk of scalding your baby's mouth when using a microwave oven to heat baby's bottle, the safest method is to stand the bottle in a container of hot water for a few minutes.

If you MUST use the microwave take these precautions:

• Microwave a minimum of 120mls of liquid (or more).


• REMOVE the bottle top to allow heat to escape. Avoid heating with the teat on.


• Always thoroughly SHAKE the bottle to disperse the heat. Remember that a bottle can feel cool on the outside but be extremely hot in the middle. Formula will continue to heat once removed from the microwave.


• ALWAYS test the temperature of the milk by putting a few drops of liquid on the inside of your wrist before feeding to your baby.


• BEWARE when out visiting as microwave ovens vary in power levels. Don’t assume that the same time is needed as your microwave at home.


• ALWAYS check temperature before feeding to your baby.

Heating Baby’s Food
Because babies eat very small amounts of food, it is safer to heat it by standing the container of food in hot water for a few minutes. If you do use the microwave, spoon the required amount of baby food on to your baby’s plate.

Heat for only a few seconds. Stir, then test the temperature on the inside of your wrist.

NEVER place a can or jar – particularly with the lid on in your microwave!

Sterilising
Microwaves do not kill bacteria but heat does.

When sterilising baby's bottles in the microwave, there may be areas that don't heat up to at least 70OC (the temperature needed to kill bacteria). There are special units for sterilising bottles that can also be used in the microwave. Boiling or using sterilising solution is also safe to sterilise bottles.

How Your Microwave Oven Works
A microwave is a short radio wave that travels in a straight line and does not change the structure of the food through which it passes. Microwaves are similar to TV radio waves.

MICROWAVES ARE NOT RADIO ACTIVE AND DO NOT REMAIN IN FOOD ONCE THE POWER IS TURNED OFF.

When you eat food cooked in the microwave oven you are NOT eating microwaves!

Once the microwave oven is off the microwaves disappear instantly.

Microwaves have three important features:

• Microwaves react with metal, so don't use metal containers or utensils with metal trim, as this will cause sparks or ‘arcing’.


• Microwaves pass through food without changing the atomic structure of the food.


• Microwaves are attracted to moisture, hence fruits and vegetables cook well because of their high water content. Foods with less moisture, such as meat cook differently from conventional methods.