How To Use Bottle Sterilizer and Keep Your Baby Safe

• 

Bottle sterilizers are an important part of all parents’ repertoire. An article like this probably isn’t necessary, but there is still a lot out there about how to properly use bottle sterilizers that might be incorrect; this article intends to clear up any misconceptions.

The two main types of bottle sterilizer are microwave and electric. Both can be dangerous if not used properly, so surveys indicate that many parents don’t use them at all. The following article will cover the proper safety precautions to keep in mind when using a bottle sterilizer.

Another Interesting Read: Baby toys are they the secret to your child development

Breast Milk Storage Bottles or Other Baby Food Containers

First, make sure that any bottles or food containers you use with your baby are not made from glass. Although this is a more traditional material for storing human milk, glass is especially dangerous since it can shatter into jagged pieces once it’s been heated to high temperatures. If you need to sterilize a glass container, try using a dishwasher to do so, not a sterilizer.

Microwave Bottle Sterilizer Safety

The first step in using a microwave bottle sterilizer is to read the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use of the product; if you can’t find any, contact customer service at your local retailer. The two most important safety considerations are the wattage of the microwave you’ll be using and how long you can heat items in that particular oven.

Finally, it’s important to understand that bottles need time to cool down before they can be safely removed from your sterilizer; checking with manufacturer instructions will let you know just how long this will take. Standard procedures include removing bottles immediately after they have reached room temperature so condensation can evaporate properly or waiting for the sterilizer to come to an ambient temperature of 40°C/104°F before removing bottles.

Electric Bottle Sterilizer Safety

Electric bottle sterilizers usually have a specific setting that will indicate when the process has been completed. The most important part of this process is following the manufacturer’s instructions to know how long you have to wait for your bottles to cool down. The danger of burning yourself by mistake is great when removing hot items from an electric bottle sterilizer, so be sure to read warning labels before using one with your baby.

Although different manufacturers may recommend other procedures, the general advice given here should be all you need to keep your child safe. Importantly, remember that over-sterilizing can also be dangerous because it can decrease nutritional value and even change how natural chemicals in baby formula or human milk react.

Suppose you plan to use a bottle sterilizer at any point during your time with a baby. In that case, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the safety procedures, so you don’t accidentally hurt your child.

To Summarize:

• Only use glassware that is not heat-resistant in electric bottle sterilizers.
• Microwave ovens may take longer to work than advertised; be sure to read advice from the manufacturer before using them.
• Electric bottle sterilizers usually have a time setting indicating when the cycle is finished; be sure to use it properly.
• Be careful not to burn yourself when removing baby bottles after they cool down; check manufacturer’s instructions for safe operating temperatures.

To Make Things Easier For You, Here’s The Way I would Recommend Using Bottle Sterilizer.

Just make sure you are the one who is doing it and not your toddler. Put all bottles and accessories in the sterilizer before turning it on. Add water up to the top line. Put a container filled with boiled water or cooled boiled water inside the sterilizer and close the lid.

Set your sterilizer to the desired time, place the bottle-opening tray on top of the bottles. When it’s done, take out water with a cup and pour it back in with an empty one until you’ve removed all traces of steam.

TIP #1.

Place the bottle into the sterilizer (yes, it goes in inverted) and then close the door.

TIP #2.

Take out your tepid liquid water; you can use tepid water instead of boiling water for two reasons: firstly, if there was some contamination on the nipple/teat, the tepid liquid water will immediately be sucked into the bottle; secondly, if you boiled water and forgot to take out the nipple/teat, you’ll damage it.

TIP #3.

Pour in enough tepid liquid water to completely cover everything inside the sterilizer (including all parts of the nipples/teats).

TIP #4.

Wait for about five to eight minutes (if you use boiling hot water, it might take slightly longer).

TIP #5.

After waiting for five to eight minutes, open the door and take the bottle inside the sterilizer. Take out the pretty hot water with a cup and pour in cold boiled water to cool down. You can always do this part after sterilization, but I find it more convenient to do it during the process so I won’t forget anything inside the sterilizer.

TIP #6.

Wait an hour before putting in any amount of milk or formula because if you put in the earlier, they will be sucked up by the nipple/teat and later on, when you heat it, and you’ll ruin the entire bottle.

TIP #7.

Instead of waiting for one hour, you can also use tepid liquid water to wash off everything inside the sterilizer (including all parts of the nipples/teats). 8. If your baby isn’t breastfed and you use milk or formula, the tepid liquid water is sufficient to wash off everything inside the sterilizer (including all parts of the nipples/teats).

TIP #9.

If you’re using a microwave sterilizer and it has a lid, I would recommend covering it with something like a face towel because if your container is, for example, half full of tepid liquid water. You place the nipple/teat on it, some amount of water will go into the bottle.

TIP #10.

If your baby isn’t breastfed and you use milk or formula, then I recommend sterilizing three bottles because if you only do one bottle at a time, without a lid, some amount of water will go into the bottle.

TIP #11.

When you take off the nipple/teat from any disinfecting liquid (except boiling water), make sure it’s dry before putting on the milk or formula.

TIP #12.

If your baby isn’t breastfed and you use milk or formula, then I recommend sterilizing the nipples/teats with a rolling boil of water before using them for the first time.

Final Words

Bottle sterilizers are convenient for keeping your baby safe from harmful bacteria. However, you need to know how to use them properly and be sure not to burn yourself on the hot metal bottles when they cool down.

Do not use boiling hot water to damage bottle parts (such as nipples/teats). Wait for 5-8 minutes after using tepid water, or else you will burn your baby. Use a face towel to cover sterilizing containers if they don’t have lids. Use tepid liquid water to clean off everything inside the sterilizer after using it.