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Reasons For Sterilising

In the first year after they are born, babies are extremely susceptible to many types of infection, whether bacterial or viral in origin. These can range from mild stomach upsets to the much more serious gastroenteritis, which mimics severe food poisoning in its effects. At this age, babies' immune systems are still developing, and need as much support as possible.

Although washing bottles thoroughly and using immediately is in theory feasible, it is not advisable as few people know the correct method of washing, and it is easy for infections to creep in this way.

Given this, effective sterilisation of baby feeding equipment is essential, especially if bottles are going to be prepared for a full day's feeds: warm milk on unsterilised equipment provides an excellent breeding ground for all kinds of germs.

Before Sterilising

Before sterilising, all items used for baby feeding must be cleaned properly. This means the thorough removal of any milk from previous feeding with that equipment, and ensuring that the items are rinsed to remove all traces of any detergent or cleaning agent used in the process. In addition, all equipment should be checked to ensure that no hardened milk curds remain.

Boiling Method

This is the most simple and straightforward method. All equipment should be placed in a pan of cold water, which should then be brought to the boil. All pieces of feeding equipment should be boiled for at least ten minutes, and the lid should be kept on the pan as this makes it much less likely that the pan will boil dry if left a little too long, which could result in damage to the equipment. It should also be noted that teats become unusable more quickly when using the boiling method.

Steam Sterilising

The main advantages of steam sterilisers are that they are quick to use, and can sterilise multiple bottles, teats or other pieces of equipment at a time. Though more pricey than more basic methods of sterilising, if good care is taken of steam sterilisers they can last many years, indeed sterilising the baby feeding products of a whole family! Major manufacturers of steam sterilisers include Avent, Linden, Mothercare and Tomy, though other reliable brands of sterlising units are available.

Microwave Sterilising

These include microwaveable steam sterilisers and microwavable bottles. Microwaveable steam sterilisers are convenient, and often useful when at friends' or relatives' homes. Care must be taken when opening after sterilising in the microwave, however, as microwave sterilisers can get very hot. Baby bottles that can be sterilised by putting into a microwave oven are relatively new, but definitely quick and effective: it usually takes less than two minutes for sterilisation to occur.

Soaking Method

This method involves the use of one of the solutions available from any chemist or most supermarkets, Milton Sterilising Tablets and Fluids being the most common. Any non-metallic container can be used, and the baby feeding equipment is usually sterile after around thirty minutes of immersion in the solution. Rinsing is not usually necessary, but if desired the equipment should be rinsed using boiled water that has cooled to an acceptable temperature. It is important to note that using tap water to rinse would have the effect of stopping the equipment being sterile. Also, any person removing baby bottles or other baby feeding products should ensure their hands are washed thoroughly, as this can also negate the recently completed sterilisation process.

How Long To Continue Sterilising?

Generally it is not recommended to stop sterilising baby bottles and other baby feeding equipment until after the baby is at least a year old: by this time the baby's immune system has had a chance to develop and has a much better chance of fighting off infection. However, as a safety measure it is advisable to continue to sterilise bottles, teats etc as long as the child keeps using them.