When and How Should I Sterilize Baby Bottles?

Sterilizing baby bottles isn't as fun as snuggling your sweetie or singing her favorite lullabies. But it's an extra layer of protection that can help protect your brand new bundle from getting sick. Here's when and how you should do it, plus when it's okay to stop.

View Details

When should you sterilize baby bottles and when should you sanitize or clean bottles?

First, let's get clear on the difference between sterilizing and sanitizing or plain old cleaning. Trusted SourceNational Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Medline PlusCleaning, Disinfecting, and SanitizingSee All Sources [1]

The terms "sterilizing" and "sanitizing" are sometimes used interchangeably, even by a few of the experts, but they're very different.

Sterilizing is the process of removing virtually all harmful germs and bacteria on an object's surface. That goes above and beyond simply cleaning something with soap and water, which gets rid of dirt and some (but not all) germs.

Sterilizing is also more intense and thorough than sanitizing, which itself is a high-powered cleaning that can be done in the dishwasher and via other means. Sanitizing gets rid of some germs and 99.9 percent of food soil bacteria, but isn't as fool-proof as sterilizing is.

You cannot sterilize bottles or anything else in the dishwasher, contrary to what some believe.

You should clean bottles, nipples and other feeding items after every use and sanitize them at least once daily if your baby is under 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system because of an illness or medical treatment (like HIV, cancer or chemotherapy for cancer), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In some instances, your pediatrician may recommend sanitizing bottles more often, in between each feeding. 

You should sterilize bottles daily and potentially after every use for infants under 3 months old, preemies and babies with weakened immune systems because they are more susceptible to infection.

Daily sterilizing (at least for the first few months) helps reduce their chances of getting sick. Your doctor can tell you how long you should keep sterilizing bottles after each feeding or on a daily basis.

Many pediatricians also suggest sterilizing bottles before using them for the first time for all babies, though the practice isn't specifically recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

How to sterilize baby bottles

Sterilizing bottles might sound complicated. (How can I get rid of ALL the germs?!) But it's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. There are a few different ways you can sterilize baby bottles at home:

With boiling water

1. Fully separate all the bottle parts. Take the cap off the bottle and remove the nipple, along with any rings or valves. 

2. Put all the parts in a pot and cover completely with water.

3. Bring the pot to a boil. Boil for five minutes.

4. Use clean tongs to remove the parts from the pot.

5. Place the parts on a clean, unused paper towel or dish towel and let the parts air-dry. Don't rub or pat the parts dry, since germs from your towel could transfer to the bottle parts. 

In the microwave with steam

1. Separate all the bottle parts. Take the cap off the top of the bottle and remove the nipple, along with any rings or valves.

2. Place the parts in a microwave steam sterilizer for baby bottles.

3. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for sanitizing, cooling and drying the parts.   

With bleach

Bleach sterilizing is recommended if you aren't able to use the boiling water or microwave bottle sterilizer methods.

1. In a wash basin that's been sanitized (preferably in the dishwasher), combine 2 teaspoons unscented bleach with 1 gallon (16 cups) water.

2. Fully separate the bottle parts. Take the cap off the bottle and remove the nipple plus any rings or valves.

3. Place the parts in the basin, making sure everything is fully submerged. Squeeze the water-bleach solution through the nipple holes.

4. Let the parts soak for two minutes.

5. Take the bottle parts out of the solution with clean tongs and place them on a clean, unused paper or kitchen towel to dry. Do not rinse the parts with water; any bleach that's left on the bottle will break down and won't hurt your baby. 

Do you need a bottle sterilizer?

Bottle sterilizers are dedicated appliances that do the work of sterilizing for you, either with steam or ultraviolet (UV) light. Some sanitizers sit on the countertop while others are designed to be placed in the microwave.

Some parents find sterilizers convenient, but they're not 100 percent necessary. Sterilizing in boiling water or with bleach are just as effective. 

When should you stop sterilizing baby bottles?

Daily sterilizing generally isn't needed for healthy babies who are 3 months and older. By that age, your baby's immune system has gotten stronger, making her less susceptible to infection. Just be sure to continue to clean or sanitize the bottles thoroughly after each use. 

If your baby was born prematurely or she has a weakened immune system, talk with your pediatrician about when you may be able to stop sterilizing your baby's bottles. 

How to clean and sanitize baby bottles, pacifiers and other infant feeding items

Just like the cups, plates and utensils you use, you should clean and/or sanitize your baby's bottles, pacifiers and other feeding items Trusted SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionHow to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding ItemsSee All Sources [2] after each use. Soap and water and putting the items in the dishwasher both do the trick when it comes to cleaning, and running them through the dishwasher on the sanitizing cycle can sanitize them.

Cleaning by hand

1. Wash your hands with soap and water, lathering and scrubbing for 20 seconds, then rinse with water.

2. Fully separate the various parts of the baby bottle as previously outlined, taking the cap off and nipple out, along with other rings or valves. 

3. Rinse the items under running water (warm and cold water are both fine). 

4. Place the disassembled bottle and other parts in a clean wash basin or container reserved just for your baby's feeding items. Fill the basin with hot water and dish (or regular) soap. (Don't wash directly in the sink, since germs in the sink could contaminate the bottles and other baby utensils.)

5. Use a clean brush reserved just for your baby's feeding gear to scrub each item. Squeeze water through the nipple holes to make sure they're clean.

6. Rinse the items under running water.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Mingfeng.

7. Place the items on a clean, unused paper or kitchen towel to air dry. Don't rub or pat the parts dry, since germs from your dish towel could transfer to the bottle parts.

8. Wash the basin and brush in the dishwasher (or by hand with soap and water) after every few uses. 

Sanitizing in the dishwasher

1. Fully separate all the bottle parts.

2. Rinse the items under running water (warm and cold water are both fine).

3. Place the items in the dishwasher. (Put them in a closed-top basket or mesh laundry bag to prevent them from falling into the dishwasher filter.) Run the dishwasher using hot water and the sanitizing setting. You can also choose "heated drying."

4. Wash your hands with soap and water, then remove the parts from the dishwasher. Place any items that aren't fully dry on a clean, unused paper or kitchen towel. Let air-dry completely (don&#;t rub or pat dry with a dish towel as it may spread germs). 

How often should I clean and sanitize baby bottles?

You should clean bottles and pacifiers after every use for babies under 3 months, babies born prematurely and babies with weakened immune systems, and sanitize (or deep-clean) bottles, other feeding items and pacifiers for newborns and other particularly susceptible babies at least once a day.

Ask your pediatrician if they recommend sanitizing more frequently, such as after every feeding. 

Safety tips to keep in mind when sterilizing or sanitizing baby bottles

Keep this advice in mind to make sure you get each and every part as clean as can be.

• Before sterilizing or sanitizing, make sure any items you're using (like wash basins or bottle brushes) have been sanitized. You can clean brushes and small wash basins in a dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe and the right size), or wash them by hand with soap and warm water. They can be sterilized by boiling, steaming or soaking them in bleach the way you can do with baby bottles as described above.

• Disassemble parts as much as possible before sterilizing and sanitizing. If you're sanitizing a baby straw cup, for instance, remove the handles, lid, sipping mechanism, straw and valve to make sure each part gets a thorough clean.

• Check the manufacturer's instructions before placing parts in the dishwasher. Some may fare better on the top rack, while others may be able to go on the bottom rack.

• Make sure parts are totally dry before reassembling bottles, cups or other items and putting them away. Reassembling still-wet items can encourage mold growth.

Sterilizing and sanitizing your baby's bottles calls for a few extra steps, but in some cases, it's a must to protect your little one's health. So find a method that works for you &#; and remember that it won't be long before this stage is behind you. 

Key facts

• Germs and bacteria can easily grow in milk.
• It&#;s important to properly wash and sterilise bottles used for feeding until your baby is 12 months old.
• Equipment used for expressing breast milk must also be cleaned carefully every day.
• Your baby is not born with a fully developed immune system to protect them from infections.

Why is it important to clean and sterilise my baby&#;s bottles?

Milk is the perfect medium in which bacteria can grow. This is why it&#;s important to clean and sterilise equipment that has been in contact with milk.

If your baby drinks milk that contains germs, they might get sick. Babies have immature immune systems so they aren&#;t as good as older people at dealing with a range of infections.

You can help reduce the chance of your baby getting sick by always using a sterilised bottle and clean equipment.

Even if bottles and teats look clean, they might still carry germs.

What equipment needs cleaning and sterilising?

You need to clean all bottle parts, teats and screw caps after every use.

If your baby&#;s bottles have not been used after 24 hours, you&#;ll need to sterilise them again.

If you are expressing breast milk, you will need to clean the expressing equipment at least once every 24 hours. You shouldn&#;t need to sterilise your own personal expressing equipment if your baby is healthy and was born at full term.

If you or your baby are sick or they were premature (born early) talk to your doctor or child health nurse about cleaning and sterilising your expressing equipment.

Washing baby bottles

Keep a bottle brush just for this purpose. Get a new bottle brush once the bristles are worn. After washing the bottles you&#;ll need to sterilise them.

1. Separate all parts of the bottle and pull the teat out of its screw cap.
2. Use hot water and dishwashing detergent.
3. Clean all areas of the bottle with a bottle brush, including the thread where the cap screws on.
4. Remove any milk still sitting in the teat or the hole.
5. Squeeze hot, soapy water through the teat hole, then do the same with clean water to rinse the teat.
6. Make sure to rinse everything well.

How do I sterilise equipment used for formula feeding?

There are 3 ways to sterilise your equipment:

1. boiling
2. steam sterilisation
3. chemical sterilisation

Take care to avoid scalds. Keep children away from hot or boiling water.

If you&#;re breastfeeding and only need to sterilise your bottles occasionally. The boiling method may be suitable for this. This will save you the cost of buying a steam steriliser or chemicals.

The boiling method

1. Put all parts of the cleaned bottle, including teats, in a large saucepan.
2. Add enough tap water to cover the equipment.
3. Make sure there are no air bubbles.
4. Bring the water to the boil and boil with the lid on for 5 minutes.
5. Let the feeding equipment cool in the saucepan before taking it out and letting it air dry.
6. Place the sterilised feeding equipment in a clean container with a lid.

The steam sterilisation method

Steam sterilisers are popular because they work quickly, are cheap to use. They heat water to boiling point and the steam kills the bacteria. Some steam sterilisers are designed to operate in a microwave. Choose one that meets Australian Standards.

1. Place the clean bottles and feeding equipment in the steriliser.
2. Make sure there&#;s enough room between each bottle, teat and screw cap for the steam to circulate around all surfaces.
3. Follow the manufacturer&#;s directions about how much water to add.
4. If you&#;re using a microwave steriliser, place the steriliser in the microwave.
5. Turn on the steriliser or microwave for the correct time.
6. When the cycle is complete store the equipment in a clean container with a lid.

The chemical sterilisation method

Be careful when using chemical sterilisation. Many methods use bleach. Keep chemicals out of reach of children.

Antibacterial chemical sterilisation solutions are available in liquid and tablet form. They need to be prepared exactly as directed on the container.

1. Use a plastic or glass container that&#;s large enough to hold your baby&#;s bottles and feeding equipment.
2. Make a fresh batch of solution every day.
3. Place the clean bottles and feeding equipment in the solution. Make sure there are no air bottles and everything is covered.
4. Leave the equipment in the solution for the recommended time &#; there&#;s no need to rinse the solution off after sterilisation.
5. Throw out the solution after 24 hours and wash out the container before preparing a new batch.

How do I clean equipment used for expressing breast milk?

You will need to clean:

• the milk collection parts of your hand pump, electric pump or milk catcher
• all reusable containers used to collect or store your breastmilk

Follow these steps:

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Take apart all containers and the breast pump.
3. First rinse everything in cold water to remove milk.
4. Use hot water and dishwashing detergent and a bottle brush to carefully remove all traces of grease, milk and dirt.
5. Rinse at least twice with hot water.
6. Drain on clean paper towel or a clean cloth towel. Cover while they air dry.

If you&#;re using an electric breast pump, check the instructions provided.

How do I store the feeding or expressing equipment?

Store the dry sterilised feeding equipment in a clean container with a lid. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You will need to sterilise your bottles every day.

Store the clean dry expressing equipment in a new plastic bag or clean covered container until you need to use it again.

Make sure you wash and dry your hands before you handle sterilised bottles and teats. It&#;s easy to contaminate equipment just by touching it with dirty hands.

Resources and support

You can call your midwife, child health nurse or doctor for advice about feeding your baby.

For breastfeeding support you can contact:

• a registered lactation consultant
• the Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Helpline: 686 268 ( mum 2 mum)

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Want more information on Automatic Bottle Drying Machine? Feel free to contact us.