Bottles, which are an effective auxiliary tool for baby feeding from birth to about three years of age, are as important to clean as they are to choose. There are different options or methods on how to clean baby bottles. Let’s explain the methods used for cleaning baby bottles and how to boil baby bottles.
Baby Bottle Use in Infant Feeding
Before answering the question of how to boil baby bottles, let’ s talk about the importance of baby bottles in baby nutrition and the effect of their cleanliness.
Feeding bottles are essential aids for feeding babies with breast milk and other liquids. If the right bottle is chosen, a great advantage and comfort can be achieved for baby feeding. The cleanliness of the parts that are effective in the baby’s nutrition, such as bottles, pacifiers and breast milk expressor, prevents bacterial problems that the baby may experience. For this reason, it is important to be careful in both bottle selection and cleaning.
Baby Bottle Cleaning Methods
Baby bottles, the first examples of which we came across in the Ancient Egyptian civilization, have been used effectively in baby feeding for thousands of years. Today, there are options such as pp baby bottles, glass baby bottles and silicone baby bottles. The nipple part of the baby bottles that enters the baby’s mouth is made of soft silicone material. These material properties are important for bottle cleaning. Baby bottle cleaning methods can be listed as follows:
1. Hand Wash
You can hand wash the baby bottle for cleaning. For this purpose, you can put hot water in a basin and clean it by hand washing with detergent specially produced for baby dishes. For this process, first separate the parts such as baby bottles and bottle nipples. Each part must be separated. After washing, rinse with plenty of water. Then let it dry on its own on a clean cloth.
2. Boiling
Boiling method is highly preferred for baby bottle cleaning. It is also known as a very effective and easy disinfection method. Use a clean pot for this process. Put clean water in it and bring it to a boil. Put the disassembled bottle, bottle nipple and ball in the water. You should have rinsed the parts well beforehand, especially the inside of the bottle. After five minutes in the boiling water, use tongs to place the pieces on a clean cloth. Let them dry on their own.
3. Using a Sterilization Device
Sterilizers are also used to sterilize parts such as baby bottles, pacifiers and milk pump nozzles. You can put pre-cleaned, that is, washed parts such as baby bottles and pacifiers in the sterilizer to remove bacteria, viruses and germs.
4. Washing in the Dishwasher
It is one of the most practical and effective options. Again, the parts whose residues are cleaned with water are washed in the dishwasher. If your machine has a special program for baby bottles, it is recommended to use it.
What to Consider When Boiling a Baby Bottle?
Although sterilizing baby bottles by boiling is a very preferred method, some issues should be considered. First of all, you should know the hot water resistance of the materials you use, such as baby bottles and bottle nipples. Not every product may be resistant to hot water. It is also very important that the boiling water and the pot used are clean. Materials to be sterilized by boiling, such as baby bottles, should also be clean. There should be no milk residue etc.