Don’t Get It Wrong! Here’s the Best Way to Sterilize Baby Bottles

What is actually the right way to clean baby bottles? It turns out that just washing is not enough! You also need to sterilize baby bottles to ensure they are safe from germs that can cause diseases in babies. The sterilization process must also not be done carelessly. To avoid mistakes, here is a complete guide on how to sterilize baby bottles properly for you to follow!

Why Should You Sterilize Baby Bottles?

Why is it important to sterilize baby bottles? For those who do not know, there are many benefits to routinely sterilizing baby bottles. First of all, you need to understand that bacteria can grow inside milk. That is why cleaning and sterilizing all equipment used to store milk is very important for your baby’s health.

Moreover, a baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, making them vulnerable to illnesses caused by germs, viruses, or bacteria. In other words, the effort to sterilize baby bottles and other baby equipment is a preventive step to protect your little one’s health and reduce the risk of infections.

So, washing alone is not enough. Even if baby bottles and teats look clean, there is no guarantee that germs are not still attached. Start making it a habit to sterilize baby bottles regularly from now on!

Read also: How Long Does Pumped Breast Milk Actually Last?

How to Properly Clean Baby Bottles

To maintain your baby’s health, you should regularly clean and sterilize baby bottles. First, make sure the washing process is done thoroughly and correctly. Here are the essential steps for cleaning baby bottles.

• Wash your hands with soap and rinse with running water.
• Prepare hot water and a special baby bottle detergent.
• Disassemble all bottle parts, including the teat and screw cap.
• Clean the bottle, teat, and screw cap with hot water and soap.
• For thorough cleaning, use a bottle brush for the inside of the bottle and a small teat brush for the teat.
• Turn the teat inside out and wash with hot water and soap.
• Rinse everything under running water after brushing and washing with soap.
• Once washing is complete, continue by sterilizing the baby bottles.

Read also: Don’t Get It Wrong! Here Are 7 Proper Ways to Warm Breast Milk

How to Sterilize Baby Bottles Correctly

There are two safe methods to sterilize baby bottles: boiling and steam sterilization. Both are quite simple and do not take too much time. Let’s go through the full details below.

1. Boiling Method

• Place the washed baby bottles, teats, and screw caps in a large pot.
• Fill the pot with tap water until all parts are fully submerged.
• Check carefully to ensure no air bubbles are trapped before boiling.
• Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and let the equipment cool down.
• Remove the bottles, teats, and screw caps, then dry them.
• Once dry, store the sterilized equipment in a closed container immediately.

2. Steam Sterilization Method

The second way is using a steam sterilizer. This method is more practical and faster since you only need a steam sterilizer, which is widely available in stores.

The steam sterilizer works by heating water until it boils, producing steam that kills bacteria and germs inside the baby bottles. Here are the easy steps:

• Place the cleaned bottles, teats, and screw caps into the sterilizer.
• Ensure there is enough space between each item so steam can circulate evenly.
• Follow the instructions, especially regarding how much water to add.
• If using a microwave sterilizer, place it in the microwave as instructed.
• Turn on the sterilizer or microwave for the recommended duration.
• Once sterilization is complete, store the items in a clean container with a tight lid.

Read also: The Advantages of PPSU Bottles and How They Differ from PP Bottles

Make sure you choose feeding bottles that can withstand high heat so they won’t be damaged during the sterilization process. One of the best recommendations is the feeding bottle from Hegen.

All Hegen bottles are made from PPSU material, FDA-certified, and commonly used in medical equipment. This material is lightweight, durable, BPA-free, and resistant to temperatures from -20°C to 180°C.

However, if you sterilize baby bottles by boiling, make sure the hot water temperature does not exceed 180°C to prevent damage to the feeding bottles.

Unlike the bottles, Hegen teats can only withstand a maximum temperature of 110°C. So if you have difficulty measuring the water temperature, you can choose the steam sterilization method instead.

Hegen feeding bottles are available in 4 sizes: 60 ml for newborns, 150 ml for 1-3 months, 240 ml for 3-6 months, and 330 ml for 6-9 months. The Hegen teats also come in 5 flow options: extra slow flow, slow flow, medium flow, fast flow, and thick feed.

In addition, Hegen also offers a bottle brush and teat cleaner to make washing your baby bottles easier. So, what are you waiting for? Get the most complete and high-quality mom and baby products now by visiting Hegen’s official store here.

References:

1. Healthdirect Australia. Cleaning and sterilising baby bottles. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/cleaning-and-sterilising-baby-bottles

2. NHS. Sterilising baby bottles. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/sterilising-baby-bottles/