Whether you’ve decided to breastfeed or bottle-feed with expressed milk or infant formula, you should always ensure that you both clean and sterilise all types of newborn feeding equipment. This includes bottles and teats, any anti-colic devices, breast pumps, and any spoons and syringes used for administering medicines.
Newborn babies have vulnerable immune systems, meaning they’re far more susceptible to everyday germs and bacteria that are usually harmless to adults. These can cause illness in young children – vomiting, diarrhoea, and oral thrush are particularly common. Sterilising baby bottles and other feeding equipment reduces the likelihood of your baby coming into contact with these germs and therefore, lowers their risk of illness.
What Kind of Baby Steriliser Equipment is Available?
Many new parents worry about how to sterilise baby bottles, but it’s actually very simple. You can choose to purchase a dedicated baby bottle steriliser or use objects and items that you already have in your home for the same purpose. Just remember that before using any form of baby bottle steriliser you need to thoroughly clean the equipment using warm, soapy water – your regular dishwashing soap such as Persil Washing Up Liquid will be fine for this, but it’s also worth buying a soft-bristled bottle brush that will prevent damage to teats and pump tubes.
Here are five options for sterilising baby bottles and other feeding equipment:
Baby Steriliser Option -Electric Steamer
Electric steamers can be purchased from any baby store and are one of the most popular methods of sterilising baby bottles. They often hold six bottles at a time, and can take as little as five minutes to fully sterilise equipment.
- Fill the steamer with a small amount of cold water. Read your product’s instructions for the exact amount, but as a general rule, steamers that hold 6 bottles or the equivalent typically need around 200ml.
- Place the clean feeding equipment into the baby bottle steriliser. Remember that the water and heating element are at the bottom of the device, and steam rises. This means that items should be placed with their openings facing the bottom: teats should be the right way up, and bottles should be placed upside down.
- Replace the lid of the steriliser, ensuring you have a tight seal all the way around – if there is even the smallest gap, the steam will simply escape.
- Turn the steamer on and leave for the instructed time – usually anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. Do not attempt to remove bottles immediately, as they will be very hot.
- If the lid has not been removed, bottles can be left in the steamer for up to 6 hours. Once the lid has been opened, however, bottles need to be assembled rapidly, with the lids on, to prevent the insides from becoming contaminated.
Baby Steriliser -Microwave Steamer
A microwave steamer is very similar to an electric steamer, except it uses the common kitchen appliance to heat the water and create a steamy environment. Use this in the same way as an electric steamer, placing the bottles in with their openings facing down, and ensuring bottles are assembled as soon as they have been exposed to the air.
Baby Steriliser -Dishwasher
If you have a dishwasher, this can be used as both a cleaner and a baby steriliser. It’s important, however, that you ensure that the feeding equipment you have is suitable for dishwashing (use the top shelf if necessary), and you will also need to use a very hot program of over 80 degrees. Many new parents find the dishwashing method to be too much hassle, as it tends to damage bottles and equipment quicker than some other methods, and there is a chance of teats flipping over with the pressure of the water, which means they accumulate dirty water and need to be washed and sterilised again.
Baby Steriliser – Boiling
It’s also possible to sterilise baby bottles using a regular pan on the stove. You don’t need any special equipment, but teats and pump tubes can become damaged quicker using this technique:
- Fill a large pan with cold water and place the feeding equipment in, ensuring that all items are completely covered by the water and they are no air traps.
- Use a heavy plate or bowl to place on top of the pan, almost in contact with the water. This will keep all items below the surface of the water.
- Bring the pan of water to a rolling boil, and continue to do so for 10 minutes.
- If you leave the lid on, bottles can stay in the pan for up to 6 hours, though it’s better to assemble them once they’ve cooled enough. Assembled bottles can typically be left for 24 hours before needing to be re-sterilised.