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How to sterilize baby bottles - rules, tips, what and how

Home » Newborns » Health » Sterilization of baby bottles: is it necessary, why, how and with what

Contents:
Introduction
Necessity for sterilization
First flush or 4 steps for successful sterilization
Sterilization methods - which one to choose? Is sterilization an absolute guarantee of protection against bacteria? Which sterilization method to choose? How to sterilize bottles for newborns and older children? We will answer these and other questions in the article. nine0003

If a newborn is bottle-fed, then already after birth during the week he comes into contact with the bottle on average 42-49 times! Now it remains to calculate how many times a clean bottle will be needed at least until the child reaches the age of 5-6 months, and accordingly, how many times he will be exposed to various microbes if the bottle is suddenly washed out poorly.

Feeding bottle sterilization is recommended by pediatricians to protect against bacteria that cause infections such as gastroenteritis. nine0003

So, in order to protect the child from intestinal infections as much as possible, and sometimes to save his life, you already agree that sterilization is simply necessary. It remains only to familiarize yourself with the rules and choose the most suitable method.
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Should I sterilize - why and when?

Most pediatricians insist on sterilizing baby feeding bottles as a precaution before they are 4 months old. This is the age after which the child begins to roll over on his stomach on his own, move around a little and put everything that is within his reach into his mouth, so careful sterilization afterward may be useless. Some parents find this task tedious and difficult, so they stop spaying early. They justify their stop by saying that all precautions are unnecessary, given the mass of other objects of possible infection that are in the house, which we do not pay attention to, but which, one way or another, are in contact with the child. It is true that sterilization will indeed be in vain if you come into contact with the bottle without washing your hands with soap or if it is stored in an area far from clean. nine0011 Back to Contents

First Rinse or 4 Steps to Successful Sterilization

Parents often think it's enough to simply rinse the bottle under hot water immediately after use and then put it in the sterilizer. This is an erroneous delusion: milk residues, even if they are invisible to you, remain on the walls or at the bottom of the bottle or at the point of contact of the nipple with the neck of the bottle, where excellent bathing conditions are created for bacteria to multiply. Therefore, after each use, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse both the bottle itself and the nipple and cap. And only then send it for sterilization, and no matter which method you choose hot or cold, boiling or steaming. nine0003

4 steps for successful and correct sterilization at home :

1. Be sure to wash your hands with soap beforehand;
2. Before sterilization, the main rule is to thoroughly rinse the bottle after each meal. You can wash it with any dishwashing detergent that rinses off well and a special brush;
3. Follow instructions if using special sterilizer;
4. After heat sterilization, you can store the empty bottle for 24 hours in the refrigerator or in a cold sterilizer with sterile solution. nine0049

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Sterilization Methods - Which One to Choose

Specialty stores for children's products offer various types of sterilizers that have undergone various laboratory tests, including performance and efficiency. First you need to choose your preferred sterilization method:

• Cold sterilization : sterilization time of half an hour or more. Such a sterilizer uses a sterilization tray and special tablets. nine0049

• Electric Hot Sterilization : Generally large enough to sterilize up to eight bottles at a time. The time spent on this procedure is about 10 - 15 minutes.

• Microwave Steam Sterilization : A time-saving device that can sometimes take less than 5 minutes to cycle. The sterilizer contains a reservoir containing water located at the bottom. Placed directly in the microwave. nine0049

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Hot sterilization

Hot sterilization means electrical sterilization, produced by a special device, which is a very practical method. However, do not forget about the methods mentioned below, like a microwave oven and others.

Electric sterilizers can sterilize up to 6 bottles and their accessories at the same time for about 8-15 minutes, depending on the brand and model. Larger models are designed for 9bottles and their accessories.

Advantages of such devices:

• automatic stop and sound signal at the end of the cycle, as well as the process carried out at very high temperatures;

• possibility to sterilize bottles of different heights;

• combination of baby bottle warmer and sterilizer;

• security, etc.

Some brands even offer programmable electronic sterilizers. nine0011 Back to Contents

Cold Sterilization

Cold Sterilizers operate on a chemical principle that is safe for children. Such devices consist of a tank filled with 4 to 6 liters of water for sterilization, depending on the model, and disinfectant tablets. We immerse baby bottles and nipples in this water, dissolve one or two special tablets and leave to sterilize for 30 minutes. The tray of this sterilizer holds up to 8 bottles.

Cold sterilization is the only sterilization method that allows sterilization of bottles and accessories after patient contact. The solution remains effective for 24 hours, so the bottles can remain there until they are used.

Another advantage of using the machine is the granules, which are not very expensive and can be bought in many supermarkets.

These sterilizers work without electricity, which is especially convenient in the hospital, on the road, on vacation or anywhere else outside the home. In addition, some accessories such as teeth rings or small plastic toys that cannot be hot sterilized are ideally cold sterilized. Finally, this method will never ruin a bottle or pacifier. nine0003

Nevertheless, the method is not without its drawbacks: after sterilization, a residual smell of chlorine or an unpleasant taste of plastic is possible - this is due to the fact that soda hypochlorite is used in the tablets, which is safe for the child, but may be rejected by him.
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How to sterilize in a slow cooker (pressure cooker) or microwave oven

Some parents believe that there is no need to spend money on special sterilizers, but it is quite enough to do with the old "grandmother's" way. For this method, a large pot of boiling water is sufficient, in which bottles and pacifiers are immersed for 20 minutes. Now, instead of a saucepan, they use a slow cooker. nine0003

The method is, of course, good, but has its drawbacks:

• you can get burned;

• bottles must be cooled after sterilization;

• nipples are prone to distortion, after which they can only be thrown away, so it is better to keep them for about 10 minutes;

• time consuming…

Microwave and steam sterilization is an excellent method. The stores sell a special water tank dish topped with special devices to accommodate bottles and nipples. Convenient, fast and compact, the microwave sterilizer recreates the principle of an oven. Only 5-10 minutes and the heat treatment is done! nine0003

However, this method is not ideal, it also has its drawbacks. This sterilizer cannot sterilize glass bottles. Another disadvantage is the size, as 330 ml bottles will not fit into it.

Dr. Komarovsky talks about sterilizing baby bottles in a video

Basic questions and answers

Question: Until what age should baby bottles be sterilized?
Answer: Pediatricians around the world recommend that bottles and accessories be sterilized before the child reaches the age of 4 months without fail. Up to 6 months at the discretion of the parents, the attending physician and the environment where the baby is. nine0003

Question: How often should bottles and pacifiers be sterilized?
Answer: After each application.

Question: How long does it take to sterilize bottles and teats?
Answer: In the article we described in detail the time for each method of sterilization, follow the instructions for your device. If you use an ordinary pan for sterilization, then it will take about 10 minutes for nipples, up to 20 minutes for bottles.

Question: How should sterilized bottles be stored? nine0010
Answer: This question is also answered in the text of the article. You can store the bottles in the sterilizer itself or in the refrigerator for a period of no more than 24 hours.