A baby’s immune system continues to develop as they grow older. It is particularly important to choose the right feeding equipment to use, ensuring that they are made with BPA-free, non-toxic materials. In addition, properly cleaning and sterilizing your little one’s feeding bottles are essential to avoid the dangers of using unsanitary bottles when feeding your little one.
Why is cleaning and sterilizing important?
Babies’ immune systems may not be strong enough to fight off several infections that can come about from contaminated feeding bottles. One way to keep them safe and healthy is to effectively clean and sterilize all feeding equipment they use, as milk is a medium in which bacteria can grow. Here are four easy steps on how you can do just that:
1.Separate all parts of the bottle and rinse with hot water and baby dishwashing liquid
Remove all parts of the bottle and clean them separately. Use hot water when rinsing, and thoroughly clean with baby dishwashing liquid. Use a bottle brush to clean all bottle parts effectively.
Wondering what baby dishwashing liquid brands mamas swear by? Try out the Tiny Buds Natural Bottle & Dish Wash made with 100% food-safe ingredients and zero harsh chemicals, artificial preservatives, and unnecessary additives. You can also try Cradle Natural Baby Bottle and Nipple Cleanser, which is made with 100% non-toxic, natural-based ingredients, making it safe to use even in washing fruits and vegetables.
2.Remove any milk residue from the teat using a teat brush
Squeeze some hot, soapy water through the teat hole and rinse thoroughly. Use a teat brush to clean the teat for any signs of milk residue. Leaving any milk residue on the bottle is one way for bacteria to grow, which amplifies the risk of infection in your little one.
3.Sterilize your feeding equipment after washing
You might think that cleaning with hot water and baby dishwashing liquid is enough, but feeding equipment may still carry germs even after a good wash. Sterilizing your little one’s bottles and feeding equipment ensures that no bacteria is left behind.
Here are some tried and tested, mama-approved sterilizers you can consider to effectively kill bacteria in your little one’s feeding equipment:
A practical choice loved by many mamas, it features a 30-liter capacity that fits 16 to 25 bottles with accessories. The UV sterilizer and dryer is proven to safely eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria present in your little one’s things.
The Turbo Pure sterilizes and dries baby bottles and accessories and stores them in a purified environment when not in use. It can sterilize the items in only 8 minutes, killing 99% of harmful germs and bacteria. It fits up to six baby bottles along with a breast pump and other accessories.
The Big Brute Steam Sterilizer Digital Electric is a 3-in-1 sterilizer, dryer, and bottle warmer. It sterilizes your little one’s bottles for up to ten minutes before automatically shutting off for safety. It includes a large storing capacity, fitting 6 to 8 bottles and accessories.
4.Wash your hands before handling sterilized feeding equipment
Wash and dry your hands properly before handling sterilized bottles, teats, and feeding equipment. It is easy to contaminate your little one’s feeding equipment just by touching it with unclean hands.
