How to Sterilize Bottles on Holiday

While it is a hassle, it is still important to sanitize bottles during travel.

Traveling with babies is often a stressful experience. Babies take a lot of care, including sanitizing the bottles to prevent diseases and other illnesses. The problem with sanitizing bottles during a holiday is that most hotels and accommodations do not have a stove. The best way to keep baby healthy during a holiday is to use a microwave sanitizer if microwaves are available or use plastic bottle drop-ins.

Things You'll Need

• Microwavable sterilizing bottle container
• Microwave
• Towel
• Dish soap
• Salt (for latex nipples)
• Bottle brush
• Kettle or pot (optional)
• Hot plate (optional)
• Baby bottles
• Plastic drop-ins (optional)

Instructions

1. Pack everything needed for your baby for the trip into two or three separate bags, each containing two or three day's worth of supplies. Dispersing the baby's items in this manner helps you prepare for any lost luggage along the trip. If you have only one sterilizer, it is best to take it along with you as a carry on if you are flying or keep it nearby for boat or car trips.

2. Make sure the hotel or accommodations where you stay has a microwave. If there is no way to stay at a location with a microwave, then you will have to bring a hot plate and a pot or kettle to heat water for sterilizing the bottles. Consider using plastic drop-in bottles if there are no microwaves or electrical outlets.

3. Wash all of the bottles thoroughly each day after each use. Use a bottle brush and a gentle dish soap to clean all of the milk residue from inside the bottles. If you have latex nipples, sprinkle a few grains of salt on the bottle nipples and rub the granules around the nipple. Use a small bristle of the brush to prick through the hole in the top of the nipple to eliminate any dried milk in the nipple top. Wash all salt with warm water and soap. Make sure to rinse all soap from the bottles and nipples.

4. Place the bottles inside the microwave sanitizer. Only place the recommended amount of bottles inside the sanitizer at once. Fill the sanitizer with water to the recommended fill line. Place in the microwave on high for three to five minutes, depending on the instructions that came with your sterilizer. Do not put any metal inside the sterilizer.

5. Remove the sanitizer container from the microwave carefully. Spread out a towel on a clean surface. Carefully remove the bottle pieces from the container. It may be necessary to pour the water out of the sanitizer before removing the bottles to prevent burns. Place the bottles on the towel and allow to air dry.

References

• ILoveIndia: Sterilizing Bottles
• BabyCenter: Sterilizing Bottles
• Have Baby Will Travel: Feeding Tips