Why You Should Use a Baby Bottle Sterilizer

A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, and babies are more susceptible to infection and illness than an older child or adult. Give your baby’s delicate digestive tract and immune system a helping hand by keeping harmful bacteria from being transmitted at feeding time with a bottle sterilizer. It is important to sterilize all equipment until your baby is 12 months old, allowing your little one to gradually develop immunity.
 

There are also a lot of benefits to continue using a baby bottle sterilizer as long as your baby is using a bottle. The milk bottle sterilizer can eliminate any traces of bacteria and build-up that may otherwise taint your child’s formula or breastmilk.

When to Sterilize Baby Bottles

Sterilizing baby bottles is an added step beyond traditional cleaning that provides extra protection against germs. An electric or steam steriliser or sterilizer is a quick and easy way to ensure your baby’s feeding bottles are squeaky clean, and free from germs and bacteria. These are some of the most common sicknesses that a feeding bottle sterilizer and dryer help eliminate:

• Food poisoning
• Diarrhea
• Hepatitis A
• Vomiting
• Rotavirus
• Stomach Flu

When you first buy bottles, it is important to sterilize them at least one time. After all, you do not know where that bottle was before it was packaged and sold to you, so an initial sterilization is a quick, easy way to ensure baby’s health and safety.
 

There are several instances when you might want to sterilize baby’s bottle including:

• If you are using borrowed or second-hand bottles. With all the gear and supplies that babies require, some moms hit up consignment shops or borrow baby bottles from a friend. In these cases, it is critical to sterilize pre-used bottles before giving it to your child for the first time. The same goes for bottles that have been used for older siblings in your own home.
  
  
• If baby has been sick. You always want to keep your baby healthy, so the last thing you want to do is risk re-infecting them by using unclean bottles. If you are concerned about any germs or bacteria on your child’s bottles, sterilizing them will certainly put your mind at ease.
  
  
• If baby was premature or has health issues. Sterilization is particularly important if baby was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system.

How Often to Sterilize Baby Bottles

Parents should clean their baby’s bottles immediately after every feeding to prevent a build-up of germs and bacteria. After washing your hands, thoroughly scrub bottle parts in warm, soapy water with a bottle brush, then let them air dry. There is a difference between cleaning and sterilizing baby bottles. Cleaning uses soap and water to physically remove germs from the bottle. Sterilizing is an extra step to kill more germs on items that have been cleaned. Sterilizing feeding items provides more protection against all infections.

Bottles should be cleaned after every feeding. If your baby does not finish drinking a bottle within 2 hours, throw away the unfinished formula. Germs can grow quickly if breast milk or formula is added to a partially used bottle, or if a used bottle is only rinsed, rather than cleaned.

If your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment, sterilizing feeding items daily (or after each use) is particularly important. If your baby is on formula milk, it is also a good idea to sterilize the feeding scoop that comes with it. You can wash and sterilize it along with your baby's bottles. Sterilization of feeding items after every use may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if those items are cleaned carefully and properly after each use.

It is important to sterilize all your baby's feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until they are at least 12 months old. This will protect your baby against infections, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
 

Before sterilizing, you need to

• Clean bottles, teats and other feeding equipment in hot, soapy water as soon as possible after feeds.
  
  
• Use a clean bottle brush to clean bottles (only use this brush for cleaning bottles), and a small teat brush to clean the inside of teats. You can also turn teats inside out then wash them in hot soapy water. Do not use salt to clean teats, as this can be dangerous for your baby.
  
  
• You can put your baby's feeding equipment in the dishwasher to clean it if you prefer. Putting feeding equipment through the dishwasher will clean it but it does not sterilize it. Make sure bottles, lids and teats are facing downwards. You may prefer to wash teats separately by hand to make sure they are completely clean.
  
  
• Rinse all your equipment in clean, cold running water before sterilizing.

The most common methods of sterilization include:

• Cold water method: You can use cold water to sterilize baby bottles, with special sterilization tablets to make it happen. These tablets only support one-time sterilization you need to keep buying more every time you need to sterilize your baby’s bottles.
  
  
• It also is rather time-consuming, since you will need to leave items submerged in water for at least half an hour. Then you will need to have cooled, boiled water ready to rinse away the solution before using the bottle for feeding.
  
  
• Boiling: Some parents boil their baby bottles, but again, you will need to first ensure that bottles are BPA-free. To sanitize bottles, you will need a large pot that is only used for bottle sterilizing. Fill it with enough water to submerge bottles and nipples. Then, boil with a lid on for at least 10 minutes. Do not remove the lid until you are ready to use the bottles.
  
  
• Baby Bottle Sterilizer: A steam steriliser or milk bottle sterilizer is a go-to option for many parents, thanks to its quick and convenient operation. The best bottle sterilizers can eliminate up to 99.99% of bacteria using no chemicals, soaps, or any other substances – just steam. This natural cleaning method is safe and efficient. Most of the best bottle sterilizers automatically dry the items inside and can be used to multi-task. You can also use it to sterilize pacifiers, toys and breast pump part along with feeding bottles. The drying function lets you avoid contaminating your bottle on bacteria-laden drying racks.

When to stop sterilizing baby bottles

It is important to sterilize all your baby's feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until they are at least 12 months old. Babies are vulnerable to the germs that cause diarrhea and vomiting. These germs can develop very easily in milk. Bottles and teats have nooks and corners that milk can collect in. Washing the feeding bottles might not completely take away all germs stuck on it. Sterilizing is the only way to ensure your baby's bottles are free from harmful bacteria.
 

Once your baby is six months old and has started solids, encourage your baby to use a cup, or a sipper for milk. Cups are better for your baby's teeth than feeding bottles. They also do not need to be sterilized, because they are easier to clean. You can stop sterilizing only once your baby is of at least 12 months of age and does not require milk bottles for feeding at all and has transitioned to using sippers and eating solid food. Bacteria do not breed as easily in your baby's solid food compared to milk. However, make sure to wash all your baby's cups, sippers, bowls, plates, and spoons in clean, hot, soapy water to ensure they are clean and safe to use. You may also choose to sterilize these utensils from time to time if your baby is less than 12 months old.

Please be aware that the information given in these articles is only intended as general advice and should in no way be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you or your family or your child is suffering from symptoms or conditions which are severe or persistent or you need specific medical advice, please seek professional medical assistance. Philips AVENT cannot be held responsible for any damages that result from the use of the information provided on this website.