How to disinfect and scald bottles, teats and baby feeding accessories?

Disinfection and steaming bottles for babies - are they necessary? How to steal soothers quickly and efficiently? J.aki bottle sterilizer and soothers to choose so that it works best in your home? In this post, you will learn why it is worth disinfecting children's accessories and when it should be done. You will also learn effective methods for quick and hassle-free bottle sterilization and nipples.

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, making 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 steamer will be useless if we don't take care of it Thoroughly remove any food residues prior to sterilization. We remove them from the bottle and the nipple with a special, delicate brush or a very soft sponge that will not scratch. For washing, we use ordinary dishwashing liquid or a preparation dedicated to the care of bottles and teats. Remember to thoroughly rinse off any remaining mild washing detergents (before sterilization). Some children's accessories can also be washed in the dishwasher - the manufacturer always places this information on the packaging of a given product. If you do not have time to steam the bottle or even wash it immediately after feeding your baby, just pour warm water over it to prevent the remains of food from drying out. In your free time, thoroughly wash the bottle and the teat, preparing them for sterilization.

How to scald a bottle and a pacifier, i.e. methods of effective sterilization of children's accessories

Before the first use, bottles, teats or teethers we always sterilize in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. It is recommended that the first sterilization lasts twice as long as the re-disinfection time. How to steam teats and bottles? Choose the method that is most convenient for you:

Steaming bottles in boiling water

Polypropylene or glass bottles can be repeatedly boiled for 5 minutes, while those made of tritan cook for 5 minutes only before using it for the first time. In order to prevent their permanent deformation, we re-steam the tritan bottle by pouring boiling water over it or using steam (you can read about it below). How do I steal soothers and nursing teats? You can boil them separately or together with clean bottles several times, for min. 5 minutes.*

Bottle sterilization using steam

It is effective because the temperature of the water vapor is 100 degrees, which is why it effectively kills all microorganisms. For this type of disinfection of bottles and teats, special sterilizers are most often used, which can be purchased in stores with children's accessories, pharmacies or electrical stores. The recommended steaming time is given by the manufacturer of the device. *

Cold disinfection

With the use of specialized liquids or water-soluble tablets for sterilization of children's accessories. In order for the entire process to be effective, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations, described on the packaging of a given product. This method of sterilization works great when we are away from home, e.g. on vacation.

Sterilization using UV radiation

It is carried out using special, compact sterilizers that emit UV-C radiation. It is most often used to disinfect soothers. We can pack the portable UV sterilizer into a bag and perform an effective disinfection of a pacifier that accidentally landed on the ground. Some devices of this type can also be used to sterilize bottles - they are put on an open bottle and the radiation time recommended by the manufacturer is set. It is worth remembering that teats and bottles may be subject to micro-damage due to UV radiation, so please read on their packaging whether they are suitable for this type of sterilization.

Self-sterilizing bottles

Interesting product to which a separate steriliser is not required. Such bottles usually have a specially designed cap in the set, which we fill with water, put on the bottle and twist with a nipple. We put everything in the microwave. After a dozen or so seconds, the whole thing 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?

It works great for some parents the traditional method of steaming bottles, i.e. a pot with plenty of boiling water. However, if you value comfort and ease of use, and your baby is fed only from a bottle, having a good steriliser will really make your life 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 especially care for the thorough sterilization of infant accessories until the child is 6 months old. Steaming bottles and feeding teats before each use, while the soothers and teethers are disinfected with min. 2 times a day (and every time they fall to the ground). Remember that the parent's licking the pacifier does not remove dangerous microorganisms, on the contrary - because of such a habit, a child may become infected with caries or other dangerous disease, which often does not give any symptoms in an adult.

Which children's accessories should be sterilized in addition to bottles and teats?

Steaming of plastic bottles, teats or teats are standard, but for the baby's health, it is also worth taking care of the hygiene of other everyday items. On a daily basis, remember to regularly sterilize accessories such as: tubes and covers for the breast pump, measuring cups and containers for milk portioning (both the one drawn from the mother's breast and the modified one), dishes and cutlery for babies and containers for their storage.

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.

Bottle disinfection and teats are one thing, but you should also take care to replace them regularly. Each manufacturer indicates their approximate service life on the packaging. On a daily basis, we also observe whether the children's accessories have not crumbled, scratched or tarnished. Then it is good to replace them with new ones immediately after noticing the defect. Silicone teats often discolor from foods, such as carrot juice or tomatoes, and this does not mean that they are damaged.