Why and how you should sterilise your baby’s bottles.
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Posted: 16/10/23
Once you’ve done your research and decided on the best bottles for your baby there’s still another step to consider: how to clean them! Sterilising your baby’s bottles is not just another chore on your never-ending to-do list; it’s one of the most vital ways to protect your little one’s health and wellbeing. So, grab a cuppa and let’s dive into the exciting world of bottle sterilising!
Why should you sterilise baby bottles?
During your little one’s first year, their immune system is still developing so they need extra protection from germs that may cause gastroenteritis (causes diarrhoea and vomiting) and other nasty bugs. To do this you need to make sure that all feeding equipment (and anything that goes into your baby’s mouth!) is sterilised. The NHS recommends sterilising all feeding equipment each time you use it for at least the first 12 months of your baby’s life.
How to sterilise baby bottles
When it comes to ensuring your baby’s feeding equipment is as clean and strerile, you have a few techniques that are both easy to follow and effective at killing germs. Before you sterilise, ensure you clean the bottles and teats thoroughly using warm, soapy water and scrub them with a bottle brush to remove any milk residue.Alternatively, if they are dishwasher safe you can also put them through the dishwasher pre sterilising.
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1. Cold water sterilising
When it comes to keeping your baby’s equipment germ-free, you can trust Milton Sterilising Fluid. This powerhouse is clinically proven to kill 99.9% of germs, viruses, and harmful bacteria. It is easy to use for sterilising breastfeeding equipment and all babies feeding utensils, including bottles, soothers, teething rings, small plastic toys and weaning items.
Simply:
Use a clean, watertight container with lid.
Make up the sterilising solution following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure all items are fully submerged in the solution.
Sterilise baby items for at least 15 minutes (or the manufacturer’s guidelines) and change the solution every 24 hours.
As the Milton solution is harmless and leaves no unpleasant taste or odour, so there is no need to rinse after use – utensils are safe for your baby to use immediately!
Did you know you can also use a solution made up with Milton Fluid to wipe and sanitise your fridge, worktops, sink, cupboards, bins, highchairs and more?!
Milton Sterilising Fluid 1 Litre
£3.99
2. Steam steriliser
Thanks to a quick sterilisation cycle of just 5 minutes, Tommee Tippee’s Electric Steam Steriliser ensures you have up to 6 clean, sterile bottles in time for baby’s next feed.
Simply:
Add 80mls of water to the base of the steriliser
Stack your bottles, breast pump parts, soothers and other accessories on the 2 racks.
Replace the lid and once it’s secure turn on to sterilise for 5 minutes.
The steriliser will automatically switch off once the cycle is complete.
Sterilised contents stay sterile for 24 hours when the lid is properly secured. There’s no need to wait for the bottles to dry before using them, just ensure you allow time for them to cool down.
3. Boiling
Most bacteria can be effectively killed at a temperature of 100°C (which is the boiling point of water) for a duration of 10 minutes. You do not need any specialised equipment, so this method may be useful if you’re only sterilising occasionally as some items may be damaged by the heat and might need replacing more regularly, if you do this on a regular basis.
Simply:
Make sure the items you want to sterilise are safe to boil.
Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil.
Submerge the items to be sterilised in the boiling water, ensuring they all stay under the surface.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat once 10 minutes is up.
Keep the items covered and remove them just before use.
Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Bottles 6x260ml
£24.99
Sterilised items can be stored in the steriliser or pan until they are needed, but it’s important to note that most manufacturers recommend using or re-sterilising them within 24 hours.
Cleaning and sterilising your baby’s bottles
Once you’ve done your research and decided on the best bottles for your baby there’s still another step to consider: how to clean them! Sterilising your baby’s bottles is not just another chore on your never-ending to-do list; it’s one of the most vital ways to protect your little one’s health and wellbeing. So, grab a cuppa and let’s dive into the exciting world of bottle sterilising!
Why should you sterilise baby bottles?
During your little one’s first year, their immune system is still developing so they need extra protection from germs that may cause gastroenteritis (causes diarrhoea and vomiting) and other nasty bugs. To do this you need to make sure that all feeding equipment (and anything that goes into your baby’s mouth!) is sterilised. The NHS recommends sterilising all feeding equipment each time you use it for at least the first 12 months of your baby’s life.
How to sterilise baby bottles
When it comes to ensuring your baby’s feeding equipment is as clean and strerile, you have a few techniques that are both easy to follow and effective at killing germs. Before you sterilise, ensure you clean the bottles and teats thoroughly using warm, soapy water and scrub them with a bottle brush to remove any milk residue.Alternatively, if they are dishwasher safe you can also put them through the dishwasher pre sterilising.
1. Cold water sterilising
When it comes to keeping your baby’s equipment germ-free, you can trust Milton Sterilising Fluid. This powerhouse is clinically proven to kill 99.9% of germs, viruses, and harmful bacteria. It is easy to use for sterilising breastfeeding equipment and all babies feeding utensils, including bottles, soothers, teething rings, small plastic toys and weaning items.
Simply:
As the Milton solution is harmless and leaves no unpleasant taste or odour, so there is no need to rinse after use – utensils are safe for your baby to use immediately!
Did you know you can also use a solution made up with Milton Fluid to wipe and sanitise your fridge, worktops, sink, cupboards, bins, highchairs and more?!
2. Steam steriliser
Thanks to a quick sterilisation cycle of just 5 minutes, Tommee Tippee’s Electric Steam Steriliser ensures you have up to 6 clean, sterile bottles in time for baby’s next feed.
Simply:
Sterilised contents stay sterile for 24 hours when the lid is properly secured. There’s no need to wait for the bottles to dry before using them, just ensure you allow time for them to cool down.
3. Boiling
Most bacteria can be effectively killed at a temperature of 100°C (which is the boiling point of water) for a duration of 10 minutes. You do not need any specialised equipment, so this method may be useful if you’re only sterilising occasionally as some items may be damaged by the heat and might need replacing more regularly, if you do this on a regular basis.
Simply:
Sterilised items can be stored in the steriliser or pan until they are needed, but it’s important to note that most manufacturers recommend using or re-sterilising them within 24 hours.
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