A Parent’s Guide to Sterilising Baby Bottles: Different Methods Explained

One question we receive probably more than any other, is; ‘What is the best way to sterilise my baby’s teethers?’

In this blog post, we’ll talk through all the different methods, including the most popular ones and hopefully, you’ll find one that best suits you and your family.

One of the things we really thought about and considered when designing Gummee products was the ease of cleaning. Cleanliness and our little ones fondness for throwing teethers on to the floor was one of the reasons that we designed the Gummee glove to be a mitten, so that it is wearable and more difficult to throw out of the push chair.

Teethers, just like baby bottles, pacifiers and toys, can harbour bacteria and germs, which could lead to infections or illnesses, particularly during the first 12 months of life when babies are more vulnerable. Considering teething toys and rings are designed to be in your baby’s mouth a lot, it is a good idea to sterilise them as an when needed.

1. Boiling Method

This is a traditional method of sterilising baby items such as bottles, teats etc, and is great for items that won’t be ruined or damaged by the high temperature. Boiling is simple and requires minimal equipment and expense. Obviously you need to be super careful not to burn yourself with this method, so please be cautious.

Here’s how to do it:

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with enough water to fully submerge all teethers.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil.
• Place teething rings and teething toys carefully into the water. (Using a pair of tongs might be useful to do this, rather than dropping the items and splashing yourself with hot water)
• Boil for 10 minutes.
• Remove the items with tongs and place them on a clean drying rack or towel.

Pros:

• Cost-effective, as all you need is water, a pot and some tongs.
• No chemicals involved.

Cons:

• Time-consuming.
• May cause some plastic bottles to degrade over time or melt if they aren’t heat-resistant. Always check the sterilisation and cleaning instructions on the packaging of the item that you want to sterilise.

2. Steam Sterilisation

Steam sterilisation is another popular method, using either an electric steriliser or a microwave steam steriliser. Both use heat from steam to eliminate bacteria and germs.

Electric Steam Steriliser:

• These devices are designed specifically for baby bottles and typically have space for several bottles and their components at once, however, they are very suitable for teethers (providing steam sterilisation is suitable for your specific teethers).
• Add water to the steriliser, place the items inside, and turn it on.
• It typically takes around 10 minutes to sterilise the contents, and the steriliser will turn off automatically when finished.

Microwave Steam Steriliser:

• For this, you’ll need a microwave-safe container designed for sterilisation.
• Fill the container with water, making sure to follow manufacturers instructions.  Place the teething rings and toys inside, and microwave for the recommended time (usually 3-8 minutes depending on your microwave power).

Pros:

• Fast and efficient, with most sterilisers working in under 10 minutes.
• Easy to use with minimal supervision required.
• No harsh chemicals involved.

Cons:

• Requires purchasing a specific device.
• Only works if you have access to electricity and, in the case of a microwave steriliser, a microwave. As with the boiling water method, may cause some plastic bottles to degrade over time or melt if they aren’t heat-resistant.

3. Cold Water Sterilisation (Using Sterilising Tablets or Solution)

Cold water sterilisation is a chemical-based method that uses sterilising tablets or liquid solutions (usually containing chlorine) dissolved in cold water to kill bacteria. Most supermarkets have their own brand of tablets or solutions in the baby isle.

Steps:

• Fill a sterilising container with cold water and add the sterilising tablet or solution.
• Submerge your baby’s teethers and accessories in the solution.
• Leave the items in the solution for the specified time (usually 15-30 minutes).
• Remove the teethers and let them air dry or rinse with cooled, boiled water if recommended by the manufacturer.

Pros:

• Great for parents on the go, as no electricity or heating is required.
• Safe for most types of baby teethers including those that can’t withstand high heat.

Cons:

• Some parents may not like the idea of using chemicals.
• Needs to be repeated daily, as the solution must be replaced every 24 hours.

4. UV Sterilisation

UV sterilisers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. This method is becoming more popular due to its convenience and the fact that it doesn’t use heat or chemicals.

Steps:

• After the items have been wiped clean, place them in a UV steriliser designed for baby products.
• The device will use UV light (used in hospitals to sterilise medical equipment) to disinfect baby teething toys and rings in a matter of minutes.
• Once the cycle is complete, the contents are ready to use immediately, no rinsing or drying required.

Pros:

• No water, heat, or chemicals involved.
• Fast, usually taking less than 10 minutes.
• Gentle on bottles and other feeding accessories.

Cons:

• More expensive than other methods, as UV sterilisers are a bigger investment.
• UV light effectiveness may decrease over time as the bulbs degrade.
• Not suitable for teethers made from latex.

5. Dishwasher Sterilisation

Some parents opt to sterilise baby bottles and teethers using the high-heat setting on a dishwasher. This method is only suitable if your dishwasher has a sterilisation or sanitisation cycle.

Steps:

• Place teethers on the top rack of the dishwasher.
• Use the hot wash and drying cycle to sterilise.

Pros:

• Convenient and hands-free if you already have a dishwasher.
• Less time-consuming than boiling.

Cons:

• Not all dishwashers are equipped with a sterilisation feature, and using a regular cycle may not be effective enough.
• Certain bottles, teethers, teething toys and rings may not be dishwasher-safe and could get damaged.

6. Steriliser Wipes

Steriliser wipes are extraordinarily convenient and very handy to carry around in your change bag. Extremely useful for when your little one reaches the age where it's fun to throw things out of the pushchair and on to the floor. Having a pack of sterilising wipes handy means you're able to wipe off and visible dirt from the teether or pacifier/toy and then clean with the wipes. 

Pros

• Easy and convenient to carry around
• Extra expense

Cons

• Not environmentally friendly

Which Method is Best for You?

The method you choose depends on your lifestyle and preferences, as well as the types of baby teethers you use. If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution and don’t mind putting in some time, boiling is a great choice. For convenience and speed, electric or microwave steam sterilisers are often the go-to for many parents. UV sterilisers are perfect if you want something high-tech and chemical-free but are willing to invest a little more. If you’re traveling or don’t have access to electricity, cold water sterilisation is ideal.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a traditional method like boiling or a more modern approach like UV sterilisation, ensuring that your baby’s bottles and teethers are clean and germ-free will give you peace of mind. It’s important to check your baby product’s manufacturer’s guidelines before choosing a method to avoid damaging the bottles. Ultimately, the best method is the one that fits your needs and lifestyle while keeping your baby safe and healthy.

We hope this blog post provides a clear overview of the different sterilisation methods! Let us know if you need more details on any particular method.