How Often Should You Sterilise Baby Bottles?

Keeping your baby’s feeding equipment sterile is a key part of protecting them from harmful bacteria. But how often should you sterilise bottles, and what is the best way to do it? This guide covers NHS recommendations, the different sterilising methods available, and how to make the process quicker with Baby Brezza.

When Should I Start Sterilising Baby Bottles?

Sterilising should begin before your baby’s very first feed. Even brand-new bottles and teats can pick up dust or bacteria during manufacturing, packaging and transport. Sterilising before first use ensures your baby’s equipment is clean and safe.

How Often Should I Sterilise Baby Bottles?

According to the NHS, you should sterilise all feeding equipment until your baby is at least 12 months old. This includes bottles, teats, breast pump parts and any other feeding accessories. Sterilising after every feed is the best way to prevent bacteria from building up and to keep your baby safe, especially during their first year when their immune system is still developing.

What do I need to do before Sterilising Baby Bottles?

Before you sterilise feeding equipment, it is important to clean it thoroughly:

Wash bottles, teats and any other feeding equipment in hot, soapy water as soon as possible after a feed.

Use a dedicated bottle brush to clean bottles, and a small teat brush for the inside of teats. You can also turn teats inside out to wash them in hot, soapy water.

Never use salt to clean teats, as this can be dangerous for your baby.

Rinse all equipment under clean, cold running water before sterilising

What Methods of Sterilisation are there?

Cold water sterilisation

Cold water sterilisation uses chemicals mixed with cold water to kill bacteria and germs. These chemicals can be in tablet or concentrated liquid form, and there are also ready-to-use solutions.

Boiling sterilisation

Boiling sterilisation uses boiling water (over 100°C) to kill bacteria. Equipment is fully submerged in the water while it boils. This is a simple method that does not require specialist equipment, but it can take longer and may wear out teats more quickly. It is best suited for occasional sterilising or small amounts of equipment.

Steam sterilisation

Steam sterilisers use high-temperature steam to kill bacteria and germs. Electric steam sterilisers are widely available, and many can also dry bottles after sterilising. This is one of the most popular methods in the UK because it is fast, effective and chemical-free.

Note: Some products use alternative methods to sterilise bottles and feeding equipment, such as ultraviolet (UV) light. The NHS advises against using UV sterilisation because it may not kill all bacteria effectively.

What should you do with your Bottles After Sterilising

Once bottles and teats are sterilised, it is important to keep them sterile until they are used. The NHS advises:

Leave bottles and teats in the steriliser or pan until you need them

Wash and dry your hands before handling sterilised equipment

Where possible, use sterilised tongs

When removing bottles, fit teats and lids straight away

Assemble bottles on a clean, disinfected surface or the upturned lid of the steriliser

If anything becomes contaminated, sterilise again before use

Following these steps helps prevent bacteria from re-entering the feeding equipment.

Making Sterilising Quicker and Easier with Baby Brezza

Sterilising your baby’s bottles does not have to be a time-consuming or complicated job. Baby Brezza has designed a range of sterilisers that take care of the hard work for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your baby.

Baby Brezza SuperFast Steriliser Dryer – Sterilises and dries up to 6 bottles, pump parts or accessories. The full cycle takes just 10 minutes, so bottles are ready almost instantly - perfect for quick turnarounds between feeds.

Baby Brezza Steriliser Dryer Advanced – Sterilises and dries up to 8 bottles, pump parts or accessories with one push of a button.

Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro – washes, sterilises and dries up to 6 bottles, pump parts or accessories in one cycle for the ultimate in convenience.

All Baby Brezza sterilisers kill 99.9% of germs using steam sterilisation, so you can be confident your baby’s bottles are hygienic and ready whenever you need them.

By understanding how often to sterilise baby bottles and using efficient tools like those from Baby Brezza, you can ensure that your baby’s bottles are always hygienic and ready for feeding. Keeping a consistent cleaning and sterilising routine helps protect your baby from infections and promotes a healthy feeding environment.