When you’re looking to buy baby items, it can become overwhelming because there’s so much choice. The most important thing is to look for things that are convenient for you. Everything that you buy should be suitable for you and your baby. Among some of the first items you’re going to look for are sterilizers and bottles. When thinking of how to sterilize baby bottles, there are very many methods to follow and there are so many different brands and models of sterilizers and bottles.’
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Why Sterilize Baby Bottles?
Your baby’s is very vulnerable for the first twelve months of life. You can’t protect them from everything, but you can sterilize the feeding equipment. Sterilizing baby formula bottles kills off germs, bacteria and parasites, which can help keep your baby free from illness. When you buy new bottles, you should wash them in warm soapy water, and then sterilize them using whichever method you choose.
How to Sterilize Baby Bottles
As for how to sterilize, there’s a number of different methods. Always wash your bottles in warm soapy water, and rinse well, before sterilizing. You should choose one that is convenient for you. There are so many different brands and models of each sterilizing method, so you need to think about what features you really want in your sterilizer.
1. Sterilization Solution
Sterilization solution can be in tablet, or liquid form. You combine the product with water, and submerge your bottles, nipples and anything else you want sterilized for usually around 15 minutes, but this can vary according to the manufacturers instructions. This method can be convenient for traveling, because there’s no bulky equipment needed.
2. Steam Sterilizer
A steam sterilizer is an electric powered appliance. It plugs in, and you put your bottles in, turn it on and leave it until it’s done. Each brand will have a different timing setting for how long it takes to sterilize. They can sterilize the bottles and all the accessories. They use steam to sterilize, so always make sure that you put your bottles into them in a way that will allow the steam to reach every part of the bottle. Click here for our recommendation!
3. Microwave Sterilizer
These work on the same idea as an electric steam sterilizer. You put your bottles in upside down, add some water to the bottom and put it in the microwave. The water heats and the steam sterilizes the bottles. The instruction booklet will tell you how long to set the microwave for, according to the power of your microwave. Click here for our recommendation!
4. On the Stove
You can boil your bottles to sterilize them. Put all the bottles and accessories in a large lidded pan, and bring to the boil. Boil them for at least five minutes, then remove with tongs and allow to dry. This method doesn’t need any other equipment, but it is the most damaging to bottle nipples. You will need to check the nipples for signs of damage and tearing regularly.
5. UV Sterilizer
UV sterilizers use UV rays to kill off the bacteria, germs and parasites. They are very effective, and easy to use. The only downside to them is that the currently available UV sterilizers are not large enough for a whole bottle. They can sterilize nipples and pacifiers, but not the whole bottle. Although, they are one of the least damaging ways to sterilize nipples. Click here for our recommendation!
Baby Bottle Reviews
It’s not just the sterilizer that’s important. Choosing a bottle is equally as important. You’ll want one that allows your baby to latch on easily, but is also comfortable in your hand. You need to find bottles that suit you and your baby.
5. Medela Breastmilk Bottle Set
Medala are the manufacturers of very popular breast pumps, and these bottles were designed to be very compatible with them and other Medela products. They are BPA free, and can store breast milk for longer. They are very clearly marked for measurements so you can easily see how much your baby has consumed.
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Pros
– Clearly marked
– Compatible with Medela breast pumps
Cons
– Nipples seem to be lower quality than separately purchased nipples
4. Philips Avent BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottle
These bottles have a natural nipple shape. They’re designed to closely mimic breastfeeding. They are shaped to fit comfortably in your hand. They have 4 different nipples in different flow speeds, and an anti colic system which means that the air goes back into the bottle and not into your baby’s stomach.
They’re very reasonably priced, and are one of the most popular bottles available. They have a wide neck opening, so if you use an electric or microwave sterilizer, you’ll need to make sure that they will be able to fit.
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Pros
– Natural shape
– Affordable
– BPA Free
Cons
– Wide neck can make sterilizing in another brand of sterilizer difficult
3. Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottle
The Avent range of bottles is so popular, and suitable for so many mothers and babies, that Philips designed it in a second material. Many people prefer using a glass bottle over a plastic one.
They have all the same benefits as the polypropylene bottle, but they can be frozen for breast milk storage. They’re easier to clean, and there’s is no chemical leaching that can happen with some plastic bottles. They are a little more expensive.
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Pros
– Glass
– Natural shape
Cons
– More expensive that other Avent bottles
2. Playtex BPA Free Premium Nurser Bottles
The Playtex bottles feature a disposable pre sterilized liner, that drops into the bottle, and mimics the pattern of breast feeding. It collapses slowly as your baby feeds, which is similar to what a breast would do when breast feeding.
The nipple is also naturally shaped and has texture to mimic breast feeding. The bottles themselves are reasonably priced, but you will need to buy liners regularly. They might not fit in your sterilizer perfectly, so you will need to check that they are being properly sterilized.
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Pros
– Mimics breast feeding
– Naturally shaped nipple
Cons
– Will need to purchase liners regularly
1. Joovy Boob Baby Bottle
The Joovy Boob bottle is available in three materials – polypropylene, PPSU, and glass. They have a wide neck and nipple, and are easy for your baby to latch on to. The nipples are available in 5 flow speeds, including a textured nipple.
Joovy have developed their own venting technology to help reduce the amount of air going into your baby’s stomach, and therefore, reduce the risk of gas, colic and reflux.
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Pros
– CleanFlow Vent
– Comfortable in your hand
Cons
– More expensive than other bottles.
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