Sterilising bottle-feeding equipment

During their first year of life, babies are at their most vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and parasitic infections, which can lead to anything from a mild attack of thrush to the more serious condition of gastroenteritis. This is an illness similar to food poisoning, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and subsequent dehydration. 

Before sterilization was the norm, thousands of infant deaths were caused by gastroenteritis problems. The cases we see now, which are rarely as serious, are often connected to inadequate sterilizing procedures. It is not possible or practical to create a totally germ-free environment for your baby but you can reduce the risks during his vulnerable first year. 

Cleaning your baby's equipment 

It is not enough to wash bottles in soapy water alone, although before sterilizing they need to be cleaned thoroughly along with the teats, so that every trace of milk is removed. Make sure that the detergent you use has been carefully rinsed off and run water through each teat to ensure the hole is not clogged with milk curds. Using salt is no longer recommended for the cleansing of silicone teats but is perfectly safe with latex ones. Just tip a little salt into the teat, grind the teat between your fingers, and then rinse thoroughly. Check teats and bottles carefully and throw out any with splits or cracks because damaged surfaces can also harbor bacteria.
 

Cleaning your baby's bottles in a dishwasher is becoming more popular but the right temperature for sterilization will only be reached on a hot programmer of 80 degrees C or more. Bottles must then be filled with formula more or less straightaway. 

How to sterilize 

Microwave and electric sterilizing have gained popularity in recent years. However, you may not always have access to electricity or a microwave, so it is worth being familiar with more traditional methods, such as boiling and cold water sterilizing too. 

Steam sterilizing 

Electric steam sterilizing is based on hospital methods and is quick and efficient, taking eight to twelve minutes, plus cooling time. You must be careful that you only put in equipment that is safe to boil (some parts of breast pumps may not be boilable, for example). Bottles, teats and so on must be placed upside down to make sure they are fully sterilized. 

You can also buy steamers for microwaves but do take care that nothing metal is placed inside them. They take around five to eight minutes to work, plus cooling time. Be careful when removing the lid of steam sterilizers, as the inside can become very hot. Their main advantage is that there is no smell or taste involved and the items remain sterile for three hours if the lid is kept on. Microwave sterilizers are useful for travel and taking on holiday providing, of course, there is a microwave available! 

Boiling 

another form of sterilizing is boiling. Most bottle-feeding equipment needs to be boiled for at least 10 minutes. The pan you use must be used exclusively for that purpose and be warned that teats get sticky and unusable more quickly than with other methods. 

Microwavable bottles 

one innovation worth mentioning is bottles which can be sterilized in the microwave on their own. It takes just 90 seconds to sterilize a single bottle. Bottles must not be sealed during microwaving, because pressure could build up inside them during the heating process. 

Cold water sterilizing 

This uses a non-toxic solution, which also comes in a handy tablet form. The solution is highly effective against bacteria. It is safe to use and can be applied to the skin or even swallowed with no harmful effects. You can buy special sterilizing units for this purpose but you could equally use a clean bucket or plastic container with a lid, provided there is something to keep the bottles submerged under the solution, such as a heavy plate. You need to check that there are no air bubbles left in the bottles to ensure complete sterilization. 

The equipment should be sterile after half an hour and can safely be left in the solution for up to 24 hours. You will need to change the solution daily and remember to wash your hands before removing the sterilized items. You may wish to rinse off the fluid with cool, boiled water, but this is not necessary. Fill the bottle with milk immediately. If you are using formula that has been made up using powdered infant milk, make sure that you discard any formula that is left over after you have finished feeding your baby. There is a small chance that micro-organisms could contaminate any formula that is kept, and make your baby ill. 

Avoid leaving sterilized empty bottles out on work surfaces for long, as they will quickly lose their sterility. This is not usually a problem when sterilizers have built-in storage facilities and bottles can be removed when required.

Baby Care Topics: Feeding your baby|What should my baby wear? | Bathing and Washing your Baby | Overcoming sleeping problems in your baby

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