Make sure there are no bubbles left in the bottles. Leave the equipment in the solution for the recommended time – there's no need to rinse the solution off after sterilisation. Throw out the solution after 24 hours and wash out the container before preparing a new batch.
Keep sterile bottles in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If you want to ensure that the bottles aren't exposed to any germs or bacteria, you can store them in a sealed container, such as a plastic or glass food storage container, in the refrigerator.
You can leave sterilised items in the steriliser or pan until you need them but the majority of manufacturers advise using or re-sterilising after 24 hours. If you do take sterilised items out, you'll need to put the teats and lids on the bottles immediately.
Yes baby bottles should be completely dry before you feed your baby. The reason – it ensures that no bacteria is going to grow in the bottle before you add breastmilk or formula. Keep in mind that bacteria multiply in moist environments and they love wet baby bottles.
Store sterilised bottles in a clean, covered container in the fridge. Re-sterilise every 24 hours, even if it has not been used.
Unless you live in an area with well water or have a contaminated city water supply, you only need to sterilize new bottles and nipples before the first use. 1 After the first sterilization, a good cleaning in hot, soapy water is sufficient.
Not sterilising your baby's bottles will allow bacteria to develop on the feeding equipment. This may lead to infections including diarrhoea and vomiting1.
After sterilisation, your products will stay sterile for 24 hours when stored properly.
After sanitizing, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Allow to air-dry thoroughly before storing. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.
Some parents make a fresh bottle just before each feeding. But many parents make and refrigerate enough formula ahead of time to use for the day. If you know your baby eats every 3–4 hours, for instance, you can make 6 to 8 bottles to last you all day. If you prepare formula ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator.
The CDC recommends sterilizing bottles until the baby is at least three months old.
Good news: Using your dishwasher's hottest water setting and a heated drying cycle effectively sterilizes the bottles! Separate all bottle parts. Rinse the bottles and parts with clean water to remove any milk particles.
Your child can also have tap water, but there's no need to boil it after 12 months.
It's important to sterilise equipment until your baby is 12 months old. Your baby's immune system isn't strong enough to fight off some infections, so sterilising equipment reduces your baby's chances of getting sick.
Leave the water to cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes. Then it will stay at a temperature of at least 70C. Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria. Remember to let the feed cool before you give it to your baby.
Unless there is a known contamination of your local water source, you can use tap water to prepare concentrated liquid or powdered formula. In general, though, it is best to primarily use safe tap water that is fluoridated and occasionally use some non-fluoridated bottled water.
Tap water is preferred for preparing infant formula. Bottled water can be used to prepare formula if unopened. Boil fresh drinking water. Let water sit for 30 minutes to cool.
Fill wash basin with safe water and add dish soap. Use a scrub brush to clean all surfaces. Pour or squeeze soapy water through bottle nipples, straws, valves, and sippy cup spouts.
This is done by putting the pacifiers in plenty of boiling water for 5 minutes. This applies to both latex and silicone pacifiers. Natural rubber latex can smear off to the shield in rare cases, so it is important to sterilize in plenty of water and we recommend sterilizing latex pacifiers separately.
Most baby bottles can be cleaned and sterilized easily. That means it's safe to use them for multiple babies. But make sure to replace those nipples. Baby slings, wraps and carriers generally hold up over time.
It's essential to properly wash and sterilise the feeding equipment when you're bottle feeding. You'll need to clean and sterilise each bottle, teat and screw cap after every feed. It's important that you continue sterilising everything until your baby is 12 months' old.
When can my baby drink tap water? Babies under six months should only drink tap water that has been boiled and cooled down. Water straight from the tap is not sterile so is not suitable for younger babies. Once your baby is six months old, you can offer them water straight from the tap in a beaker or cup.
A baby less than six months old should have all feeding equipment sterilised. After six months of age baby bowls and spoons should be clean but do not need to be sterilised, however feeding bottles and teats should be sterilised for as long as they are used.
Instead of filling the kettle up each night and boiling it to make fresh baby bottles, you simply fill a flask up with just boiled water before going to sleep. A good quality flask should keep water at a safe temperature of 70˚C or above for several hours.
It's fine to give your baby room temperature or even cold formula. If your baby prefers warm formula, place a filled bottle in a bowl of warm water or run under warm water. Test the temperature by putting a couple of drops on the back of your hand or wrist. The formula should feel lukewarm — not hot.