Cleaning And Sterilising Baby Bottles
If you are giving formula or breastmilk to your baby in a bottle, it is recommended that you sterilise the bottle and teat until your baby is 12 months of age.
What you need to bottle feed baby
- 6-8 plastic bottles. Buy the 240 mL size with clear markings for the amounts.
- 6-8 teats. Try a few different types until you discover which style best suits your baby. Choose teats that are the appropriate flow for your baby’s age.
- Plastic knife (which can be sterilised) to level off powder if you’re formula feeding.
- Bottle brush for cleaning.
- Jug or bowl for warming bottle (or electric bottle warmer).
- Sterilising equipment: A saucepan (boil in the water for 5 minutes), a cold chemical solution, or a microwave or electric steam steriliser (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
Clean bottles before sterilising
- Rinse bottle and teat with water immediately after the feed for easy cleaning later.
- Clean with bottle brush and warm soapy water. Make sure you squeeze soapy water through the holes in the teats.
- Then rinse bottles and teats in clean water.
When going out
• If using formula, the safest method is to take a bottle filled with the correct measure of warm boiled water and take the correct amount of powder formula separately in a sterilised dispenser and add it at feeding time.
• If transporting pre-made formula or breastmilk, cool in fridge and take it with you in an insulated cold carry pack.
