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Breastfeeding brings many benefits to mothers as anyone can feed the baby with a bottle. However, if bottle sterilization is not done correctly, babies are prone to illness. Therefore, understanding how to sterilize and maintain bottle hygiene properly is essential for mothers before using bottles for their babies.
Why should you sterilize baby bottles?
Some microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi can accumulate in baby bottles, potentially infiltrating the body and causing stomach pain and diarrhea in babies. Therefore, mothers need to sterilize baby bottles correctly before use.
It is unnecessary to sterilize immediately after each feeding; mothers only need to clean with hot water and store in a clean container. If your baby often suffers from colds or flu, you need to sterilize more frequently.
Considerations when sterilizing baby bottles for babies
1. Opt for filtered water
Tap water may contain harmful chemicals, so it's advisable to use filtered water for sterilization. Even when sterilizing bottles with steam, using filtered water ensures hygiene.
2. Clean the feeding bottles thoroughly
Before sterilization, mothers should clean the feeding bottles, nipples, and scoops with warm water and bottle cleaning solution. After feeding, to prevent residual milk from fermenting or drying, it's recommended to clean the bottles promptly.
3. Choose feeding bottles made from safe materials
Feeding bottles can be made from plastic, glass, or silicone. Depending on individual preferences, choose feeding bottles that are suitable. If you're using plastic bottles, opt for ones made from high-quality plastic without BPA. Also, regularly inspect the bottles and nipples for cracks or scratches. Bacteria tend to accumulate in these crevices and can persist even after thorough cleaning and sterilization.
4. Keep the bottle sealed until feeding time
Only open the bottle before feeding the baby. After sterilization, always keep the lid on to prevent bacterial contamination.
5. Thoroughly wash hands
Mothers should wash their hands thoroughly before handling sterilized bottles and avoid leaving sterilized bottles out for too long.
3 Methods of sterilizing baby bottles
1. Boiling for sterilization
- This is the most common method for sterilizing baby bottles. It's quite simple, but you need to make sure the materials are safe when boiled.
- Prepare a large pot with a lid, fill it with water. Then, immerse the bottles and other parts into it (it's best to dedicate one pot for sterilizing bottles and not use it for other purposes). Boil for about 5 minutes.
- Cover the pot after use.
2. Steam Sterilization
- Fill a steamer pot with water, then place the baby bottles and other parts into it.
- Cover and let the steam escape for a few minutes.
- Place the bottles and accessories upside down for more effective sterilization.
3. Microwave Sterilization
- Mothers need to disassemble the parts of the baby bottle and place them in the microwave for about 90 seconds (Note: Ensure your microwave is clean).
- Fill each baby bottle with water.
- Place the bottles in the microwave.
- Place the teats and other parts into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water. Microwave for about 1.5 minutes.
We hope the above information will be helpful for mothers and make them feel more comfortable with bottle hygiene.
