How To Correctly Clean Your Baby Bottles

Source: DHgate, Tag: Baby & Kids

Are you a new parent? Find out how to correctly clean your baby bottles and ensure your newborn is effectively washed and cleaned.

Cleaning baby bottles doesn't just stop at washing them with water but disinfecting and storing them well. It is compulsory because babies under twelve months do not have a robust immune system to wad-off germs that could cause infection.
Here is a guide to effectively keep your baby bottles clean.
Cleaning Baby Bottles with Soapy Water
Washing baby bottles after use is a must; you should do this because bacteria feed on spoilt bits of leftover food. Leaving your baby bottles unwashed is an open invitation for bacteria that cause harmful food poisoning amongst babies; leading to symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, high temperature, and general feverish symptoms.

Aside from bits of food, germs thrive in a warm and moist area; your baby bottle appears to have promising prospects when the insides are moist and carelessly stored. If you want to avoid this awful scenario, then you must wash the bottle as soon as you finish using it. Start by removing the different parts of the baby bottle (cap/lid, nipple/teat, collar/fastening ring, and bottle) and soak them in a bowl of soapy water or a dishwasher; leave it in there for about 20 minutes.
Next, get a baby bottle brush; some baby bottle brush comes with a silicon-made nipple cleaner to clean areas in the teat the baby bottle cannot reach. You should use a baby bottle brush with an elastic neck because it can clean different angled areas of any baby bottle type. With the brush scrub the insides of the baby bottle for at least 20 minutes. Next, brush the outsides; starting from the fastening ring.
The fastening ring (bottom) is the outer part of an open bottle that holds the cover and ensures it closes tightly. These areas are; sometimes abandoned hence are the target of germs. After scrubbing both the insides and outsides of the baby bottles, scrub the fastening ring (top) that you have removed from the baby bottle. Next, pick up the teat/ nipple of the baby bottle and use the silicon-made nipple cleaner to clean hidden areas that the baby bottle brush cannot reach. Silicon cleaners are flexible and should be able to clean the tiniest parts in the teat of the baby bottle. But washing alone does not erase all the pathogens that may build up in the baby bottles sometimes. Besides, washing them and storing them on a shelf without disinfecting traps them in warm moisture that pathogens enjoy.
How to Disinfect Baby Bottles with Hot Water
Germs cannot survive in extreme weather conditions. When you soak the baby bottle in hot water, you do not give germs a chance; it kills them instantly. You can do this by either boiling the separated parts of the baby bottles or soaking them in hot water.
Add the parts to the boiling water and leave it in for about 9 minutes. Set your timer to be sure you do not exceed the required duration; ensure you fully immerse the parts so that the water touches every surface of each part of the bottle. Take note of the baby bottle nipples throughout the boiling process as it is susceptible to cracks because it is fragile compared to the other parts of the baby bottle.
After the 9 minutes is over, turn off the heat and allow the water to cool. Disinfect your hands and the surface you will place the baby bottle parts before fixing them. Shake off excess water and store it in a fridge. This way, you not only thoroughly clean the baby bottles but also kill any germ hiding in the bottle. Regardless of this instruction, it's best to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions regarding heat or boiling because not all materials are boilable.
How to Disinfect Baby Bottles with Steam (Electric Sterilizer)
You can use less extreme heat that still kills germs; the steaming method of baby bottle disinfection. This method involves the use of an electric sterilizer. To steam the baby bottle, you need to add some water according to the manual of the electric sterilizer, ensure the parts of the bottle are facing down; the bottle itself, the nipples, and the cover. Let the baby bottles remain in the sterilizer until when you need them. After each use, repeat the cleaning process; from washing to steaming.
How to Disinfect Baby Bottles with Chemicals
If the materials are not boilable or not suitable for any heat-prone disinfection, then you may want to consider chemical disinfection. Disinfecting baby bottles with chemicals does not require heat; however, you should follow the instructions from the manual to the last dot. After you have made the mixture, add the disintegrated baby bottle into the solution; ensuring the parts are well immersed; this kills the germs in the baby bottle. Just like the steaming disinfection, the baby bottle should remain in the solution unless you need to use them. We advise that you avoid rinsing with water because the water might be infected and may reintroduce germs into the bottle again.
Safety Procedure You Should Never Ignore
You must ensure you handle all disinfection methods with care. Little children are naturally curious; it's the normal learning process; therefore ensure you keep hot water away from their reach to avoid burns. If you intend to use the chemical disinfection method, you should also keep it far from the reach of your little ones to ensure they do not ingest it.
Conclusion
Food poisoning begins when you don't disinfect baby bottles properly. Disinfecting bottles must be a continuous routine as long as you use the baby bottles all the time. Having several baby bottles at your disposal should not stop you from disinfecting the baby bottles either. If you stay true to this baby bottle cleaning routine, prepare to say goodbye to diarrhoea, vomiting, and other symptoms associated with germs in a baby bottle.