Should I Clean Bottles and Pacifiers After Each Use?

Should I Clean Bottles and Pacifiers After Each Use?

The cleanliness of anything your infant puts in his or her mouth should be a top priority if you want to keep them healthy. Fortunately, you don't need to purchase a steriliser for baby bottles to keep things clean. If you use bottles or pacifiers, you should sterilise them before the first use and possibly on a regular basis thereafter. However, sterilising bottles after each use is not necessary.

Many parents are obnoxiously meticulous about cleaning their baby's belongings because infants don't have fully developed immune defences. However, how frequently should you sterilise bottles, and what is the most effective way to do so? Everything you ought to know about thoroughly cleaning infant bottles has been outlined below.

Bottle Sterilizer

Regularly clean bottles to get rid of milk buildup.

A routine dishwasher cycle or kitchen sink scrub are sufficient on a daily basis. Plastic goods should be placed on the upper rack of the dishwasher to avoid melting. You can put pacifiers, nipples, and other small components in designated baskets on the top rack of the dishwasher to prevent them from falling to the bottom. To prevent the spread of disease, sterilise containers and binkies.

After your child has been ill, if you or other family members have been battling an infectious sickness, or if another child has used your child's bottle or pacifier, sterilising bottles and binkies is a smart idea. Use your best judgement after that.

Bottle Sterilizer

Although some sources advise sterilising once a month, the need is typically quite low if your water source is secure. As a parent, you are free to choose how comfortable you want your children to be with their cleaning and hygiene routines.

The procedure for sterilising bottles, including nipples, and pacifiers is straightforward: place them in a pot of boiling water for five minutes. Additionally, you can purchase sterilisers made specifically for bottles that use steam to kill bacteria and germs.

Baby bottle sterilisation frequency

After every feeding, parents should clean their baby's bottles to avoid the growth of bacteria and germs. Use a bottle brush to clean bottle parts in warm, soapy water after washing your hands, and then let them air dry. Additionally, a lot of physicians believe that dishwashers, particularly those with hot, sanitising rinse cycles, will effectively clean bottles and nipples. Use a basket for minor items like the nipples and put bottles on the top rack of the dishwasher to prevent them from melting.

Baby bottles don't always need to be thoroughly cleaned or sterilised.Erika Landau, M.D., a paediatrician in New York City and coauthor of The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year, advises sterilising bottle parts before using them for the first time. Just to be cautious, you should disinfect your baby's bottle supply every few weeks. This is especially important if you're using pre-owned or sick baby bottles.

Sanitizing is crucial, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if your infant has a compromised immune system, was delivered preterm, or is younger than three months old. As long as the bottle parts are thoroughly cleaned after each use, older, healthier babies don't benefit from daily sterilisation. Water available nowadays is safe and clean, which reduces the importance of regular sterilization

Three Techniques for Cleaning Baby Bottles

Although they are not required, some parents purchase specialised electric bottle sterilisers. Instead, you can disinfect your bottles with hot water, your microwave, or bleach. Boiling Water Sterilization

The best and safest way to sterilise infant bottles is with this process.

Bottle Sterilizer

• In a large pot, disassemble your bottle and put the components in it.
• Make sure the components are covered with enough water in the pot.
• Make sure there are no air bubbles in the bottles.
• After five minutes of boiling, the water should be cooled.
• After letting the water cool, remove the bottle components carefully.
• Place the objects on a dish towel or a clean drying mat. Before reusing, allow air to dry.

2. Use the microwave to sterilise

If you buy a microwave steriliser, use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

• Be aware that before using the steriliser, your microwave must be clean. 
• Additionally, make sure that all bottle components, particularly the nipples and rings, are microwave-safe.

3. Sterilize with Bleach

According to the CDC, bleach can be used as a last resort if you don't have access to a microwave or stove. Here is what to do.

Bottle Sterilizer

16 cups (one gallon) of water and 2 tablespoons of unscented bleach should be combined.

All of your baby bottle components should be completely submerged. Ensure that the solution fills the nipple apertures and that there are no air bubbles.

• Give the goods two minutes to rest.
• Take the bottle components out of the liquid. 
• Avoid rinsing themTake the bottle components out of the liquid. 
• Remaining bleach will decompose as the goods dry, so refrain from rinsing them afterwards to avoid reinfecting yourself with bacteria.