Newborn babies have immature immune systems, which means that they are more susceptible to infection than adults. Their bodies are still developing and learning to fight off germs. This is why it is so important to take steps to protect them from infection, such as cleaning and sterilizing their feeding bottles. When transferring liquid milk into a feeding bottle or preparing formula, it is crucial to maintain hygiene by ensuring that teats and measuring instruments are placed on clean surfaces.

Importance of bottle sterilization

What equipment needs cleaning and how often?

You need to clean and sterilise all bottle parts, teats and screw caps.

1. Separate all parts of the bottle and pull the teat out of its screw cap. Bottle Cleanser, (designed to safely cleanse baby items).
2. Clean all areas of the bottle with a bottle brush, including the thread where the cap screws on.
3. Remove any milk still sitting in the teat or the hole with a teat brush.
4. Make sure to rinse the bottles.
5. Sterilizer the bottles using steam sterilizer or cold sterilizer. 

Types of bacteria that can contaminate baby bottles

• Salmonella: Salmonella can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

• E. coli: E. coli can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps.

• Listeria: Listeria can cause meningitis, encephalitis, and miscarriage.

• Campylobacter: Campylobacter can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever

Effective and safe sterilization methods

Sterilization can be achieved through both hot and cold methods. The hot method utilizes boiling water, which is heated and vaporized through an electric coil or microwave system. This is essentially a more advanced version of the traditional method of boiling in a pan. Sterilization times vary from approximately 5-15 minutes for electric models to a few minutes for microwave models. Cold sterilization, on the other hand, involves the use of liquid or tablet disinfectants that are specifically designed to be safe and well-tolerated by infants.

Choosing a bottle sterilizer: A matter of personal preference

• Tips for sterilizing baby bottles:

  • Make sure to disassemble the bottles completely before sterilizing them. This will ensure that all parts of the bottle are cleaned and sterilized properly.
  • Use clean tongs or hands to remove the bottles from the sterilizer. Avoid touching the inside of the bottles with your fingers.
  • If you are using a chemical sterilizing solution, be sure to rinse the bottles thoroughly with clean water before using them.
  • Store the sterilized bottles in a clean container in the fridge until you need them.