How to disinfect and scald bottles, teats and baby feeding accessories?
Disinfecting and sterilizing baby bottles – are they necessary? How to sterilize pacifiers quickly and effectively? Which bottle and pacifier sterilizer should you choose to best suit your home? In this post, you'll learn why it's important to disinfect baby accessories and when to do so. You'll also learn effective methods for sterilizing bottles and pacifiers quickly and easily.
Bottle sterilization and accessories for babies: why should to do this?
Sterilization of bottles and teats is, by definition, a technological process that neutralizes all forms of living organisms such as viruses, fungi and bacteria, rendering properly sterilized items sterile.
The immune system of newborns and infants is not yet shaped enough to effectively defend itself against microorganisms that do not pose a major threat to an adult human being. This is why simply washing children's accessories in the traditional way is not enough.
It is necessary to regularly wash and disinfect not only bottles, teats, teethers, but all accessories used for the baby (eg bottle washing bowl, pot, brush etc…). This will help prevent diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and painful oral thrush in your baby's mouth. Another basic issue is taking care of your own hygiene. We always touch teats, bottles or teethers with washed hands.
How to prepare bottles and teats for sterilization?
Even the best bottle sterilizer will be useless if you don't thoroughly remove all food residue before sterilization . Remove any food residue from the bottle and nipple using a special, gentle brush or a very soft sponge that won't scratch (remember to change your bottle sponges and brushes frequently). Use regular dish soap or a product designed for bottle and nipple care. Remember to thoroughly rinse out any traces of mild detergents before sterilization. Some baby accessories are also dishwasher safe—the manufacturer always lists this information on the product packaging. If you don't have time to sterilize the bottle or even wash it immediately after feeding your baby, simply run warm water over it to prevent any food residue from drying. When you have a moment, thoroughly wash the bottle and nipple to prepare them for sterilization.
How to scald a bottle and a pacifier, i.e. methods of effective sterilization of children's accessories
Before first use, always sterilize bottles, pacifiers, and teethers according to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging . It is recommended that the initial sterilization last twice as long as the re-disinfection time. How should you sterilize pacifiers and bottles? Choose the method that's most convenient for you:
Steaming bottles in boiling water
Expert advises
The method of sterilization practiced by our grandmothers and mothers is still very popular due to its simplicity and low costs. All you need is a clean pot, boiling water and a long steaming time. Sterilized items should be completely immersed in boiling water. Before re-use, steam the plastic bottles by boiling them in boiling water for 5 minutes. However, before you steam your baby accessories, check the manufacturer's instructions for recommended sterilization methods.
Bottles made of polypropylene or glass can be repeatedly boiled for 5 minutes, while Tritan bottles should only be boiled for 5 minutes before first use. To prevent permanent deformation, re-boil Tritan bottles by pouring boiling water over them or using steam (read more below). How should you sterilize soothers and feeding pacifiers? They can be repeatedly boiled separately, or together with clean bottles, for at least 5 minutes.*
Bottle sterilization using steam
It's effective because the steam is heated to 100 degrees Celsius, effectively killing all microorganisms. Special sterilizers are most often used for this type of bottle and pacifier disinfection, and can be purchased at baby supply stores, pharmacies, and electronics stores. The recommended steaming time is provided by the manufacturer of the device.*
Cold disinfection
Using specialized fluids or water-soluble tablets for sterilizing baby accessories. For the entire process to be effective, follow the manufacturer's recommendations, as described on the product packaging. This sterilization method is ideal when you're away from home, for example, on vacation.
Sterilization using UV radiation
It's performed using special, compact sterilizers that emit UV-C radiation. It 's most commonly used to disinfect pacifiers. A portable UV sterilizer can be packed into a bag and quickly and effectively disinfects a pacifier that accidentally landed on the ground. Some such devices can also be used to sterilize bottles – simply place them on an open bottle and set the exposure time recommended by the manufacturer. It's important to remember that pacifiers and bottles can be micro-damaged by UV radiation, so check their packaging to see if they're suitable for this type of sterilization.
Self-sterilizing bottles
This is an interesting product that doesn't require a separate sterilizer . These bottles usually come with a specially designed cap that you fill with water, place on the bottle, and screw on the teat. The whole thing is then placed in the microwave. Within seconds, the entire unit is fully sterilized.
* Remember that after scalding in boiling water or steam, bottles and teats may burn you. Use special tongs or clean, thick gloves to remove them from the pot / sterilizer.
Which bottle steriliser to choose?
Some parents find the traditional method of sterilizing bottles—a pot of boiling water— works perfectly . However, if you value convenience and ease of use, and your baby is exclusively bottle-fed, having a good sterilizer will make your life much easier.
What bottle sterilizer to choose?
In addition to the UV sterilizers described above, the most models on the market are among steam sterilizers:
- Electric steam sterilizer: designed for scalding bottles, feeding teats and soothers, teethers and cutlery. If your baby is fed only from a bottle, choose a model in which you can sterilize more accessories at the same time. You can also dry and store disinfected bottles and teats with most electric sterilizers.
- Steam steriliser for microwave oven: is a cheaper counterpart of the electric model described above. Such a bottle steamer is usually in the form of a water-filled container with a special lid, which is placed in a microwave oven. After the water boils, the bottles and teats are disinfected with steam. You can also choose special disposable or reusable pouches for sterilizing bottles in the microwave. Remember to follow the recommendations of their use provided by the manufacturer and always use only containers / bags dedicated to sterilization of children's products.
- Sterilizer and bottle warmer in one: saves space in the kitchen, but is usually only intended for one bottle.
When and for how long should I disinfect bottles and teats?
We take special care to thoroughly sterilize baby accessories until the child is 6 months old. We sterilize feeding bottles and pacifiers before each use, and disinfect soothers and teethers at least twice a day (and whenever they become dirty, for example, if they fall on the ground). Remember that licking a pacifier by a parent does not remove dangerous microorganisms; quite the opposite—this habit can cause a child to contract tooth decay or other serious illnesses, such as oral thrush , which often causes no symptoms in adults.
Expert advises
Approx. At 6-7 months of age, the baby begins to crawl, which is associated with frequent mouths of toys lying on the ground. The immune system is better prepared to deal with microorganisms, so when the child is six months old, we steam plastic bottles, cutlery and teats once a day, and whenever they fall to the ground. Between disinfections, we clean them thoroughly in the traditional way. In the case of premature babies, whose immune system develops a bit slower, sterilization of baby accessories should be used before each use, also after the baby is 6 months old. We perform a thorough disinfection of bottles, teethers and teats regardless of the child's age, also when the child has any infection.
Which children's accessories should be sterilized in addition to bottles and teats?
Sterilizing plastic bottles , pacifiers, and teethers is standard, but for your baby's health, it's also important to ensure the hygiene of other everyday items. Remember to regularly sterilize accessories such as breast pump tubes and covers, measuring cups and containers for portioning milk (both expressed and formula), baby dishes and cutlery, and storage containers.
Even the most thoroughly scalded bottle or nipple can cause diarrhea in a baby if we store it in unsanitary conditions. We regularly scald and replace with new brushes and sponges, with which we clean children's dishes and teats. And most importantly, wash your hands thoroughly before touching the disinfected teat or bottle.
How to store disinfected bottles and teats?
Thoroughly dry the sterilized children's accessories on a clean drainer. We do not wipe them with a cloth, which may be a potential habitat of bacteria. Store the scalded items in a clean, dry and ventilated place until the next use.
Disinfecting bottles and teats is one thing, but you should also ensure they are replaced regularly. Every manufacturer lists their approximate lifespan on the packaging. We also regularly check baby accessories for signs of chipping, scratching, or dulling. It's a good idea to replace them immediately if you notice any damage. Silicone teats often discolor due to foods like carrot or tomato juice, and this doesn't indicate damage.
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