How To Use A Baby Steriliser For Bottles

A sterilising unit is an important tool for any parent who wants to ensure their baby’s bottles are always clean and safe. Sterilising units work by using heat or chemicals to destroy bacteria that could be living on the bottle. With that said, do you know how to use a baby steriliser for bottles?

In this article, I want to share with you all the steps I take when cleaning my baby bottles. There are so many different ways to sterilise baby bottles, but I have found these methods work best for me.

Let’s begin!

Whatever Methods You Use, Cleaning Is Necessary!

No matter which sterilization method you use, always remember to clean your bottles first! This is the most important step in ensuring that all the bacteria are gone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your baby’s feeding bottles before the sterilization process:

Steps to follow when cleaning your bottle before sterilization:

Step 1: Place the nipple and ring parts of the bottle in a pot or pan full of boiling water for about five minutes. This is an important step because this gets rid of any dirt that might be stuck to the nipple or ring.

Step 2: Next, pour out all of the water from your pot or pan and fill it up with cold tap water. With a bottle brush, scrub down any parts that need to be cleaned thoroughly. Rinse these off under running warm water until you are sure there is no soap left on them before continuing onto step three.

Step 3: The next step is to wash the bottles with warm, soapy water. You can also use dishwashing liquid or antibacterial soap if you would like. I usually use a dishwashing detergent that is meant for baby bottles and nipples. I find this to be the most effective way of getting them really clean.

Be sure to rinse off all of the soap before moving on to the final step!

Step 4: Finally, give all of your bottle parts a final rinse with warm water before placing them in the sterilising unit.

Now that your bottles are clean, it’s time to sterilise them! There are many ways to do this, but I will share with you the ways that have worked best for me.

The Boiling Method

With this sterilising method, you will need to boil the water in a pot or pan first. You can use any size of pot or pan so long as it is large enough for your baby bottles and tongs to fit inside with ease.

• Fill up your pot/pan with about two litres of boiling water (or more if you need it).
• Place your baby bottles and tongs inside the pot/pan of boiling water.
• Ensure that they do not touch each other during this process, as you will run the risk of them becoming stuck together.
• Allow boiling for about five minutes before removing any bottle parts from the pan. Be sure to use protective gloves or oven mitts when handling the hot bottles and tongs.

As an alternative, I have two other interesting methods that can help you sterilise your baby bottles perfectly.

Note: Don’t forget to check this guide on how to prepare your kid for Kindergarten. 

 Electric Steam Steriliser

I use this electric steam steriliser to clean my baby bottles, and it works like a charm! I’ve used the microwave method before, but I personally think that this is better. Here’s how you can do it:

• Place your bottle parts inside the steamer basket of the sterilising unit (if they don’t fit, simply place them in the steaming compartment).
• Fill up the water container of your sterilising unit to about one centimetre away from the max fill line.
• Plugin your steriliser and allow it to heat for around five minutes before placing all bottle parts inside. Be sure not to overcrowd! I only put two bottles at a time unless I know I’m going to be sterilising a lot.
• Set the timer for ten minutes and let them steam away!
• Once this time is up, turn off your unit but do not remove anything just yet. Allow everything inside to cool down before taking out all bottle parts with oven mitts or protective gloves.

That’s it! You have now successfully sterilised your baby bottles!

Note: Always remember to rinse off all of the sterilising solution before use. This is especially important if you’re going to be using a bottle warmer, as it can cause nasty bacteria to form and grow. And there you have it – three easy ways for how to sterilize baby bottles!

The Chemical Solution

The use of a chemical is an easy and efficient method that kills bacteria without using heat or water. Liquid/pills can be used for any size bottle or other feeding equipment such as nipples. Most brands are ready-to-use and can be used directly from the bottle.

Liquid and pill antibacterial chemical sterilisation treatments are available. They must be made in the way stated on the package. In this article, we will discuss the way to use a steriliser for baby bottles.

Step 1: Prepare the baby sterilising solution with the advised quantity of tap water. If you are using a product that requires diluting, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Step 2: All feeding equipment and bottles should be submerged in the solution. Do not allow any bubbles to remain in the bottles. If using a product that needs to be left in contact with the object for a specific time, do so now.

Step 3: After the required contact time has elapsed, remove all equipment and thoroughly rinse under running water. Shake off any excess water and place it on a clean cloth or paper towel to air-dry. Do not re-sterilise equipment. It is now ready for use.

Step 4: Do not forget to also sterilise the teat of the baby bottle. Follow these same instructions, but do not submerge in solution as this could cause damage to the teat. Instead, soak it in a small bowl or cup filled with sterilising solution for about five minutes. Rinse in water and air dry.

Note: Don’t forget to check out this guide on the best teether for babies

Things to Remember While Using the Chemical Sterilisation Method

• It is important to remember that you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a steriliser for baby bottles. If it does not, there may be serious injuries such as poisoning or other problems. Some liquid antibacterial products must remain in contact with the object for specific periods of time before they are effective.
• Most products that kill common bacteria will also kill your baby’s bottle, so it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions or use a small amount on an inconspicuous area first. Label all chemicals clearly and store them in their original containers in a safe place. Remember, these products are poisonous and can be harmful if swallowed.

Final Words

If you have a baby, then it is likely that at some point in time, you will need to use a steriliser for your baby bottles. This blog post has provided the steps on how to properly clean and sanitize breast milk bottles, so they are safe for consumption by your child.

We hope these suggestions help make bottle cleaning less daunting and more manageable during those crazy first few months with an infant. Happy Parenting!