Keeping your little one safe and healthy is always a top priority, especially during the first year when their immune system is still developing. To help protect them from illness, it’s important that bottles, dummies and soothers are properly sterilised. Regular sterilisation removes any lingering germs that cleaning alone might miss, providing extra protection against bacteria. Baby bottles should always be sterilised before their first use, and for babies under 12 months, daily sterilisation is recommended. There are several ways to sterilise feeding items, and in this guide we’ll explore the main options available.
Traditional Methods of Sterilisation
In the past, many parents turned to boiling water or microwave steam bags to sterilise their baby bottles. Although these methods can be effective, they are often slow and not always the safest option. Boiling water takes time to heat, and parents must ensure that bottles and accessories remain fully submerged for the entire process. Microwave steam bags, on the other hand, can only hold a limited number of items at once, and the hot steam that escapes when opening the bag can pose a burn risk.
For these reasons, more and more parents are now turning to sterilising machines. These devices provide greater speed and convenience, along with the ability to sterilise several bottles and accessories at the same time. They also remove much of the effort and guesswork from the process, giving parents added peace of mind. With so many different models on the market, however, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To make things simpler, we have outlined the two main types of sterilising machines - steam sterilisers and UV sterilisers - and explained their key differences to help you decide which option is best for your family.
How do Steam Sterilisers work?
Steam sterilisers use high-temperature steam to eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria, providing a safe and reliable way to clean baby bottles and feeding accessories. Because steam naturally circulates throughout the chamber, it is able to reach into every corner and crevice of bottles, teats, breast pump parts and other items, ensuring a thorough clean regardless of shape or size.
Most steam sterilisers are designed to hold multiple bottles and accessories at once, so parents can complete their daily sterilising needs in a single cycle. Many modern models also include convenient features such as built-in drying functions, which sterilise and dry items automatically. This means bottles can go straight from the steriliser to storage without the need for an external drying rack, reducing the risk of recontamination and saving valuable time in a busy household routine.
How do UV Sterilisers work?
UV sterilisers use ultraviolet light instead of steam to disinfect bottles and other baby items. Many parents find them convenient because there is no need to add water, and the modern design often appeals to those who like more technology-focused solutions.
It is important to note, however, that UV light can only disinfect surfaces that are directly exposed. This means that items with more complex shapes, such as bottle teats, may not always be fully reached. Extended exposure to UV and UVC rays can also affect certain plastics, including polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Over time this may lead to issues such as cracking, discoloration and reduced durability. For this reason, some manufacturers advise against using UV sterilisers with their products.
Choosing between a UV or Steam Steriliser
When it comes to deciding between a UV or steam steriliser, the choice often depends on what parents value most. UV sterilisers can be convenient since they do not require water, but they also come with limitations. The UV light only disinfects surfaces it can directly reach, which means areas such as the inside of teats or the curves of dummies may not always be fully sterilised. They also tend to take longer, with cycles often lasting significantly more than steam models, and their smaller capacity means they usually need to be used more frequently. Steam sterilisers, in contrast, use natural steam that spreads easily across every surface, ensuring bottles and accessories of all shapes are thoroughly cleaned. They work in a shorter time and can handle multiple items in one cycle, making them the more practical choice for everyday use. For most families, steam sterilisers offer the safest, quickest and most reliable option.
Which steriliser is best for me?
Baby Brezza offers a range of innovative steam sterilisers that not only kill 99.9% of germs but also dry bottles and accessories automatically, saving parents time and effort while keeping feeding essentials hygienically clean.
The Steriliser Dryer Advanced is a simple yet effective way to keep feeding items clean and ready to use. It kills 99.9% of germs and then dries bottles and accessories with clean, filtered air. With a modular design that can be configured in four different ways, it adapts easily to whatever you need to sterilise.
For parents who need results in a hurry, the Superfast Steriliser Dryer is the fastest option on the market. It completes a full sterilise-and-dry cycle in just 10 minutes, so bottles and accessories are ready when you need them without long waiting times. With four versatile functions and simple one-button control, it delivers fast, hygienic results whenever you need them.
Finally, the Bottle Washer Pro is the ultimate time-saver for busy parents, taking care of washing, sterilising and drying in one seamless cycle. Unlike other sterilisers, there is no need to wash bottles beforehand - simply load them in, press a button, and let the machine do the rest. By removing every step of manual cleaning, it ensures bottles and accessories come out thoroughly cleaned, fully sterilised and completely dry, ready for your baby whenever you need them.
Sterilising baby bottles and accessories is an essential part of protecting your little one’s health in the first year, and choosing the right method can make the process much easier. With options like the Baby Brezza Steriliser Dryer Advanced, Superfast Steriliser Dryer and Bottle Washer Pro, there is a solution to suit every household.
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