The Right way to sterilise baby feeding bottles
Why should you sterilise baby bottles?
Simple and significant duties to follow to disinfect from harmful tummy bugs causing illness. As you welcome your little one home with all the excitement and enthusiasm, a few steps to follow to keep your baby safe is sterilisation. Yes, babies are pretty vulnerable to certain kinds of infections when coming in contact with feeding bottles. A leftover residue can develop disease or bacteria, so to assure an extra shield of protection, decontamination must be conducted before and after every use to eliminate micro-organisms.
Sterilising could be done by the following methods:
- Coldwater
- Boiling method
- Microwave steam
- Electric
How to disinfect baby bottles by cold water steriliser
- As soon as possible after the feed, try to rinse the disinfected bottle, accessories and feeding pump in a warm soapy solution. Use a brush if required and clean the teats thoroughly.
- This equipment comes with sterilise tablet; add it to 5 litres of cold water or the required amount of fixing fluid(follow the guidelines). Avoid contact with eyes or rinse immediately. Keep the vessel, teats and other elements in the sterilising solution and make sure it is bubble-free.
- Cleanse for over 30 minutes and change the liquid every 24 hours. Remove them from the solution and wash using warm water.
- This kit is effective as you can use the same solution any number of times and is handy, especially when travelling, which can hold up to 6-8 bottles and breastfeeding and baby feeding components.
How to sterilise using the boiling method
- Wash the feeding components, not all items can withstand the heat of high temperatures, so make sure the items are allowed to boil.
- Use a surgical pan that can control temperature without allowing more heat to generate. These pans are available in the market, with temperature control regulators; you can set the required degrees.
- Submerge the items in the pan and simmer for not more than 10 minutes. Remove the items from the pan, then rinse them; do not leave the things in the pan until they cool down as it promotes the development of microbes.
- Boiling is a straightforward and reasonable method to follow using your regular cooking stove and saves time.
How to sterilise using microwave steam steriliser
- Once cleaned, add to the steriliser using a measuring jug, directly place the bottles on the perforated plate.
- An electric steriliser is multitasking that can disinfect tableware, vessels, pacifiers, cup, toys; it can also heat food supplements, breast milk and formula. Electric machines also has a dryer and a filter that absorbs dust and pollutants, keeping products safe for 24 hours with the lid closed.
- The electric steriliser is a time-saving method that takes only 6 minutes and shuts off automatically. The LCD touch screen on the device will have the options that showcase sterilise and dry, only dry, hot air drying etc.
Learn tips and tricks from Hellobabydirect.com
- One protocol to implement, irrespective of what method you choose, is to clean using a brush. Always keep your hands spotless throughout the process of feeding and sterilising.
- Do not use a dishwasher as it tends to accumulate food residue and is not as effective as deploying other methods. Do not use any harsh detergents to wash them, it evokes smell and cause irritation. Use a brush to remove dried milk remains and a warm soapy solution to cleanse.
- If you want to use the boiling water method, then pick the appropriate pan that should accommodate and immerse all the accessories of the bottle. And do not over do it for more than 10-12 minutes, and do not reuse.
- Every piece of equipment concerned with feeding should be rinsed.
- Each manufacturer equipment varies in size, shape, capacity and duration to wipe. So always look for the guidelines or instructions before use and follow accordingly.
- Store in a sterile, airtight container with the lid closed for not more than 24 hours. Do not expose them outside, which can tend to get unsterilized.
- Please make it a daily ritual to sterilise all the products relating to breast pumping, storing, feeding, pacifiers, teats every part of the bottle for 12 months.
FAQ'S from our customers
Why do I sterilise my baby's feeding equipment?
Baby's feeding equipment is the appropriate place for the micro-organisms to grow and mutate which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Sanitising has been recommended to keep your baby safe; either you use breast pumping, feeding bottles, or storing equipment, sanitise every part of it.
How long do I need to sterilise bottles and other feeding equipment?
Sterilising duration entirely depends on what method you have chosen, example if it's cold water, then dip the items for 30 minutes in the solution. In a boiling system, you can sterilise for 10-12 minutes; in the micro' and electric autoclave, it's automatic and turns the switch once done.
Do I need to wash feeding equipment before sterilising it?
Yes, indeed, wash all feeding equipment to make sure no breast milk, formula, food supplement adheres to the surface of the vessel, teats, pacifiers and pumping items using warm soapy water and a brush.
Where can I go for support?
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has top-notch medical advice and information on breast milk, health, safety, hygiene, baby food, sterilisation, illness etc. Our internet site Hellobabydirect.com blogs also have information about the products, maintenance, tips and safety.
Why is my baby sick after the feeds?
The possible reason could be the usage of unsterilized equipment, the baby may fall sick. Remember to preserve the cleaned equipment and other parts in the airtight container and after every use.
