Bottle sterilization has historically been part of newborn care routines. While there is almost no harm that can come from sterilizing a baby’s bottles, it is advisable to understand exactly what sterilization achieves. This will allow parents to incorporate sterilization into the baby’s routine in a way that strikes the best possible balance between meeting the baby’s needs and convenience.

What does sterilization mean?

Simplified and summarized, sterilization is the process through which microorganisms and other biological elements are completely removed from a thing or surface. It is important to highlight that this process does not necessarily entail that such a thing or surface is clean, which is related but not the same. In other words, something could be sterilized and still be dirty. Imagine a bottle that the baby got full of paint, for example. That bottle could be sterilized before the paint is removed, but it is still best to clean it first by removing the paint before it is used again.

Are sterilizing bottles necessary?

The short answer is that it really depends. In the case of premature babies, babies with a special medical condition, or babies living in considerably polluted environments, where the quality of the water is questionable, sterilizing the bottles will most likely be advisable every time these babies are fed. In normal cases, where babies do not have a medical condition and water quality is on par with modern quality standards, sterilization is advisable every once in a while.

While, in general, being clean is beneficial to both babies and adults, babies do need some exposure to external elements, such as microorganisms and other biological elements that are eliminated through sterilization. This exposure is what allows their immune system to develop and be able to withstand such external elements in the future. It is true that exposure to microorganisms carries the risk of being exposed to one that is really dangerous, which for babies is a greater number than for adults. However the alternative of removing such exposure altogether is worse in the long term, as it will produce a weak immune system in the future.

Keeping the above in mind, if all other conditions are normal, sterilizing the baby’s bottles periodically but not constantly, for example, once a week, will be enough. If a bottle was used by the baby in a public space, for example, it might be worth sterilizing it after washing it once at home, as opposed to waiting for the normal day in which it would be sterilized. This periodical sterilization will ensure nothing builds up in the bottles, say mold or something similar, without becoming a burdensome step in the bottle’s cleaning process and the baby’s routine in general.

Is buying a bottle sterilizer necessary?

Keeping the above in mind, if the parents’ idea is to sterilize the baby’s bottles periodically or even regularly, a commercial bottle sterilizer is something worth having at home. If the sterilizer is designed for home use, it will most likely be a simple and convenient way to sterilize the bottles. It is important to highlight that there are ways to sterilize bottles without using a bottle sterilizer, so it could also be a spend that parents on a budget could reduce.

Bottle Sterilizer Pros

• They help keep all the bottles’ parts together: Most baby bottles have two or more parts, which allows for easier cleaning when disassembled and for replacement of parts as opposed to having to replace the whole bottle. A bottle sterilizer helps to keep all those parts together after cleaning them, as it is a great place to put them after they are clean but will not be used yet.
• They help parents have peace of mind: Having a baby can sometimes be nerve-racking, especially for new parents. A bottle sterilizer can help assuage fears and concerns when a bottle gets really dirty, and parents are not sure if they cleaned it thoroughly enough.
• They help compensate for insufficient cleaning: As mentioned above, cleaning and sterilization are related but different things. Parents should always strive to thoroughly clean their babies’ bottles, but if the bottles have to be washed quickly or if someone else has to do it, the sterilizer can compensate for any shortcomings in the cleaning process.

Bottle Sterilizer Cons

• They are an extra expense: Babies have lots of needs, which can put considerable pressure on the parents’ budget, especially if they are young and it is their first baby. A bottle sterilizer would be an extra expense to add to the list.
• They are not small: Babies sterilizers, even the more simple ones, take up space, so they will need to have a dedicated place wherever parents are regularly preparing the baby’s bottles.
• They are an extra step in the bottle preparation process: A hungry baby is generally not a happy baby, so having to go through an extra step while they are waiting is something to consider.

Are there alternatives to using a bottle sterilizer?

As mentioned above, there are alternatives to a bottle sterilizer that parents could use to avoid buying one. It is worth mentioning that bottle sterilizers are designed in a way that, if used following the instructions, they will not degrade or otherwise damage the plastic or other material in the bottles. This is even more so if the sterilizer is of the same brand as the bottles, which ensures better alignment between how the sterilizer works and the resistance of the bottles’ materials. The methods described below, while effective, can have the collateral effect of damaging the bottles, so parents should make sure they are paying attention to the user’s manual of the bottles and any possible changes in them after using any of the methods below several times.

1. Dishwasher

Some dishwashers have a sanitizing cycle, which should significantly reduce the level of microorganisms and other biological elements in the bottles. While this is a good alternative, running a dishwasher cycle does take time so parents need to make sure to do it with sufficient time before they need to use the bottles.

2. Boiling water

Introducing the clean and disassembled bottles in boiling water up to the point where they are fully covered and for three to five minutes should sterilize them. Parents should make sure that no part of the bottle is directly in contact with the bottom of the pot, as the heat might be too high and damage them.

3. Steam

Placing the disassembled bottle parts in a steaming basket should sterilize the bottles. Parents should make sure that the bottle’s manufacturer recommends avoiding this method, and they should move around the pieces to make sure they are all equally exposed to the steam.

4. Bleach

Placing the disassembled bottle parts in a solution of bleach and water for two minutes should sterilize the bottles. Parents should not rinse the bottles after, as germs and other microorganisms could contaminate the parts again. For this method, follow the CDC’s guidelines.

Should I sterilize other baby items?

The same considerations used to determine whether or not, or how often, to sterilize baby bottles can apply to other baby items. If a baby is born prematurely, is under two months old, has a medical condition, or lives in an environment that is below modern sanitation standards, sterilizing other items that are used for or by the baby should be considered. If the baby and the environmental conditions of where they live are normal, then sterilization is most likely needed sporadically.

Bottle sterilizer thoughts from new parents

The convenience of a bottle sterilizer should not be underestimated. Babies require a lot of effort and time, so whatever is out there that can help reduce the time that you need to invest to make sure they get what they need, the better. Our recommendation is that if you have the budget to add an extra spend, you definitely get one!