How to Use a Baby Sterilizer

All baby bottles need sterilizing to prevent disease.

Sterilizing baby bottles is essential to prevent illness in a baby within the first year. Babies are much more prone to illness as their immune system is still developing, without sterilization the baby could develop problems such as thrush, vomiting and diarrhea. Even if you are breastfeeding, you'll need a sterilizer, as you will still need to use baby bottles to either express breast milk into or to use formula as an alternative,

Things You'll Need

• Detergent
• Sterilizing tablets or liquid
• Large container with lid
• Electric steam sterilizer or microwave sterilizer

Instructions

Pre-Wash Bottles

1. Place the bottles into hot soapy water.

2. Scrub the bottles with a bottle-cleaning brush to ensure that all the milk is removed.

3. Wash the nipples, retaining rings and caps just as thoroughly in the soapy water.

4. Rinse all the bottles and attachments with clean hot water to remove detergent and prepare them for the sterilizer.

Cold Water Sterilizing

1. Place the sterilizing tablet or liquid in the cold-water sterilizer or in a large container with a lid or plate on top--follow the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Immerse your baby bottles in the solution for at least 30 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly sterilized. Bottles will remain sterile for up to 24 hours if kept immersed in the solution.

3. Removes bottles and attachments and rinse thoroughly with recently boiled water to remove the chemical residue before using the bottles.

Electric Steam Sterilizing

1. Plug in the sterilizer, check that you have fitted the unit together following the manufacturer's instructions. Add the recommended amount of water to the unit.

2. Place your bottles, nipples, retainer rings and caps into the unit. Replace the lid and check that it is secure. Switch on the unit.

3. Steam items for eight to 12 minutes, depending on the manufacturer's recommended time.

4. Leave the items to cool in the unit--do not open right away as you will be risk getting scalded. Bottles that remain in the sealed unit will stay sterile for up to six hours.

Microwave Sterilizer

1. Place the recommended amount of water into the unit and add bottles and attachments--check that your bottles are microwave safe before using the machine. Close the lid securely.

2. Turn on the microwave for the required time stated by the manufacturer, this could be between 90 seconds a single bottle to 10 minutes for a full load.

3. Remove the bottles and attachments after the machine has cooled. Items that remain in the sealed unit will stay sterile for up to three hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Always take care when removing lids from steam sterilization units as steam will escape.

• Follow the recommended times indicated by the manufacturer.

• Always fill steam sterilizers with the right amount of water; too little could damage the unit.

• Take care when using the sterilizing tablets or liquids, as splashes will damage clothing.

• Never use chemical tablets or liquids in steam sterilizers.

• Keep sterilizing tablets and sterilizing units away from small children.

• Do not place anything on top of steam sterilizing units.

• Ensure that none of your bottles or attachments are cracked or broken as bacteria could get into damaged bottles.

References

• Baby Centre UK: Sterilising Bottle Feeding Equipment
• Ask a Mum UK: 10 Things You Need To Know About Sterilising Your Baby's Bottle
• Baby World: Sterilisers On Test