# Sterilising Options for Baby Bottles and Equipment

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/baby/sterilising-options-for-baby-bottles-and-equipment/
- Published: 2017-03-14T16:00:14+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _In the first year of their lives, a baby’s immune system is�not yet fully developed, and is therefore not as robust as it needs to be to repel infection._

That’s why it’s so important to maintain good cleanliness habits when preparing 
your baby’s bottles.

[⌊Sterilising options for baby bottles and equipment⌉⌊Sterilising options for baby
bottles and equipment⌉[

Babies are much more open to getting sick from an infection than older children 
and adults, making bottle cleaning and sterilisation a topic that all new parents
should be familiar with.

This guide aims to inform new parents about both the process of cleaning your baby’s
bottles, and sterilising them effectively in a way that works for you and your routine.

## **Cleaning Bottles**

Both before the first use, and after every use, bottles, nipples, lids and any other
feeding equipment should be properly cleaned. To clean these items, wash the bottle(
including nipple and teat) in hot soapy water as soon as possible after your baby
has used them. Clean the entire bottle with a bottle brush, focusing on any dried
milk inside the bottle and nipple. Once scrubbed, rinse everything in fresh water
and allow to air dry.

[⌊Sterilising options for baby bottles and equipment for safe feeding⌉⌊Sterilising
options for baby bottles and equipment for safe feeding⌉[

## **Three Sterilising Options**

While the cleaning process is important to get rid of milk from the bottles and 
equipment, it doesn’t ensure that the items are safe for the baby to use. You need
to actually sterilise the baby bottles prior to use, with most agreeing that it 
is a must for at least the first 12 months of your child’s life. Regardless of whether
you’re using formula or expressed breast milk, sterilisation is a must. After the
12-month period, talk to your doctor about what you should do.

[⌊Baby bottle sterilising with soapy water and cleaning tools⌉⌊Baby bottle sterilising
with soapy water and cleaning tools⌉[

When it comes to sterilising, there are actually three options for ensuring that
your baby’s bottles, lids, nipples and other feeding equipment is germ free. Let’s
look at them now.

## 1. Boiling

Boiling is a simple sterilisation method that does not require any special equipment
beyond what you are likely to have in your home already. It works by raising the
temperature high enough to kill any bacteria that remain on the feeding equipment
after washing. Here’s how you do it.

 1. In a large saucepan, place all the bottles, nipples, lids, caps and other feeding
    utensils you intend to use in the next 24 hours. Pop this on the stove.
 2. Cover them with water, making sure no bubbles of trapped air remain.
 3. Bring the pot to the boil, and continue to boil for five minutes.
 4. Turn the heat off, and allow the water to cool down.
 5. Wash your hands well, and disinfect the surface where you’ll be preparing the sterilised
    bottles.
 6. Remove the equipment from the saucepan, shaking off excess water.
 7. Either make up the bottle on the spot, or store in a clean container in the fridge.
    Anything not used in the first 24 hours will need to be re-sterilised.

[⌊Sterilising baby bottles and equipment for hygiene and safety⌉⌊Sterilising baby bottles and equipment for hygiene and safety⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/7001743442_e4afc7f9c4_b.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

## 2. Steaming

Just like boiling, steaming sterilisation raises the temperatures high enough to
kill bacteria present on feeding equipment. You can use the steaming method�either
using a microwave�and a specific sterilisation container, or with an electric steamer.
Here’s how.

 1. Clean and sterilise your steamer by running it once empty prior to using. Make 
    sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
 2. Prepare your clean bottles, and load them into the steriliser ensuring that the
    bottles, nipples, caps etc are placed with the openings facing down in the steriliser.
 3. Add water to the steriliser as outlined in the instructions for your specific device,
    and run it.
 4. Leave the bottles and other equipment in the steriliser until you plan to prepare
    the bottles, and if you aren’t using the bottles right away, refer to the instructions
    as to how long they can stay in the steriliser before they need to be re-done.

[⌊Baby bottle sterilising process for safe feeding⌉⌊Baby bottle sterilising process for safe feeding⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/800x480_IMAGE50151122.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

## 3. Chemical

Chemical sterilisers are liquid or tablet disinfectant solutions that are diluted
with water and used to sterilise feeding equipment. Here’s how they work.

 1. Take your clean bottles, nipples, lids, caps and other feeding equipment. Prepare
    the disinfectant solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 2. Place the feeding equipment into the solution, and make sure that all the items
    are totally under the water level, with no air bubbles remaining.
 3. Leave everything in the solution for the recommended amount of time. This is usually
    around 30 minutes, but it might be different for your solution.
 4. If you’re making up the bottles straight away, remove the equipment from the sterilising
    solution and allow to drain in a disinfected area. Don’t rinse off the solution.
    Once dry, use as normal.
 5. If you aren’t making the bottles right away, leave them in the solution for up 
    to 24 hours. If you still haven’t used them at this point, the solution must be
    discarded and the bottles sterilised again. Also remember to wash your sterilisation
    container in warm, soapy water before making up a new solution.

## _What sterilisation option did you choose?_

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)

 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)