Sterilising
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Evidence
Mary J Renfrew, Marie McLoughlin, Alison McFadden
A report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that cleaning and sterilisation of equipment in the home is a critical part of the avoidance of infection; recommendations include the use of ‘sterile bottles, achieved by heating and chemical methods’, although no evidence is provided on the relative effectiveness of these methods.
The WHO guidelines published in 2006 and updated in 2012 are consistent with the EFSA recommendations and suggest that manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for chemical or steam sterilisation procedures. Effective cleaning and sterilisation of infant feeding equipment offers the opportunity to minimise risks to the baby and could result in significant clinical and cost benefits.
WHO Guidelines - Safe preparation, storage, and handling of powdered infant formula: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241595414
Education
It is important to sterilise your baby's equipment to protect them from germs and bacteria that are on their bottles and other equipment. This will help protect your baby against infections particularly tummy bugs.
Between every feed its important to make sure that all parts of your baby’s bottles and/or your breast pump and other expressing equipment have been sterilised.
The main ways to sterilise are:
- Using steam - Put bottles and teats face down in the steam steriliser and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Using boiling water - Put bottles and teats into a pot filled with water. Cover the pot with a lid and boil for at least 10 minutes.
- Using a cold - water sterilising solution - Make up a solution using tablets. Put the bottles and teats in the solution and leave in solution for at least 30 minutes. Change solution every day.
Each way is an effective way to sterilise, it comes down to a personal preference.
Before you sterilise, all bottles and other equipment need to be thoroughly washed in hot soapy water using a bottle brush. Scrub the inside and outside paying attention to the rim, clean the inside of the teat with a small teat brush or turn inside out and wash in hot soapy water. Then rinse all your equipment thoroughly.
Empowerment
During the first year of your baby’s life, they are at their most vulnerable to illnesses. If your baby’s bottles and feeding equipment are not sterilised, viruses, bacteria and parasites can gather and make your baby ill. Your baby could develop a range of illnesses from thrush to a more serious bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.
It is not possible or practical to create a totally germ-free environment for your baby. But by sterilising their feeding equipment, you will be doing what you can to reduce the likelihood of them becoming unwell.
You may think sterilising is pointless when your baby is putting all sorts of things in their mouth. However, your baby's immune system is still developing, and it is easy for them to pick up infections during their first year. The bugs that stick to milk curds in partially cleaned bottles can be particularly nasty.
By the time your baby is one year old, they will have started to produce their own antibodies and be more resistant to harmful germs. But it is a good idea to carry on sterilising bottles, dummies and teats until your baby stops using them.
Useful Links
Pregnancy Birth and Baby
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/cleaning-and-sterilising-baby-bottles
NSW Health
Raising Children
Australian Breastfeeding Association
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/cleaning-expressing-equipment
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Disclaimer: This publication by Miracle Babies Foundation is intended solely for general education and assistance and it is it is not medical advice or a healthcare recommendation. It should not be used for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment for any individual condition. This publication has been developed by our Parent Advisory Team (all who are parents of premature and sick babies) and has been reviewed and approved by a Clinical Advisory Team. This publication is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Miracle Babies Foundation recommends that professional medical advice and services be sought out from a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your personal circumstances.To the extent permitted by law, Miracle Babies Foundation excludes and disclaims any liability of any kind (directly or indirectly arising) to any reader of this publication who acts or does not act in reliance wholly or partly on the content of this general publication. If you would like to provide any feedback on the information please email [email protected].
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