How To Clean And Sterilize Pacifiers And Other Baby Gear Safely
As a new parent, one of your top priorities is keeping your precious little one safe and healthy. In addition to practicing good hand hygiene and cleaning high-touch surfaces, such as tables, countertops and doorknobs, its important to clean and sterilize baby items including pacifiers, bottles and toys.
If you have questions running through your head about how to sterilize pacifiers and bottle nipples and how to clean baby toys and plush items, youll find this post extremely helpful.
Do I Need To Clean Infant Formula Scoops
When powdered formula stays dry, its less likely to get contaminated. To keep liquids away from the powdered formula, dont clean the formula scoop unless it gets dirty. If the scoop was dropped on the floor or otherwise soiled, clean it as carefully as you would your babys bottles and allow it to air-dry completely before placing it in the formula container.
How Often Should I Clean My Dishwasher And All Its Components
Dishwashers, like every other home appliance, should be cleaned regularly.
One of the ways to do this is to regularly clean the dishwasher with a clean cloth, an antiseptic, bleach a safe detergent, and hot water.
It might be time consuming but its worth it, considering how sensitive babies are, and that other things such as dishes and pots are most likely used in the same dishwasher, once a week would be appropriate.
The cleaning should be thorough and a piece of clean cloth should be used for drying.
Components of the dishwasher such as the basket and other parts should also be cleaned on the same basis. Also, baby bottles should not be washed alongside other materials.
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Should You Sterilize Your Baby Bottles
Yes, occasionally and typically for infants that are less than 12 months old and are feeding from the bottle, according to the CDC.
Also, if your baby has an underlying health condition such as a weakened immune system, you may need to sterilize the baby bottle more frequently, ideally after every use.
Sterilizing is not complicated and easy to observe. All you need to do is boil water, pour it into a clean bowl or container, and then dip the bottle inside it for 20 minutes.
Do ensure the container is covered.
Handwashing Versus Dishwashing Baby Bottles
Baby bottles can pile up, especially with a newborn! Itâs recommended to wash baby bottles after each use, especially during the infancy stageâbut donât worry! You do have a few options when it comes to protecting all those bottles from messes, so you can be more confident with every feeding. You can wash baby bottles and attachments in the dishwasher every few days, but make sure theyâre dishwasher-safe before running the cycle. *
To clean baby bottles in the dishwasher:
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Rinse baby bottles, nipples, caps, sippy cups and other attachments with warm water
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Soak with warm water and a gentle dish soap like Dawn® Free and Clear, which is free of dyes
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Rinse off bottles and attachments with warm water
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Load into the top rack of your dishwasher
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Set to a hot water washing cycle and heated drying cycle
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Remove from dishwasher and place on a clean surface or baby bottle drying rack
In cases where your baby bottles arenât dishwasher safe or your dishwasher is full, handwashing is also a great go-to when it comes to keeping bottles clean and safe for your little bundle.
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What Happens If You Dont Sterilize Baby Bottles
Baby bottles that have not been properly cleaned will also collect bacteria, which may cause babies to become unwell. Unsanitized infant bottles might become infected with the Hepatitis A virus and the Rotavirus, both of which are widely transmitted through inadequate sanitation standards. HAV can cause liver damage in your newborn, and Rotavirus can induce dehydration and diarrhea in your child.
Washing Baby Bottles In Dishwasher What To Know
Most major brands of bottles are safe for use in the dishwasher. Your first step should be to double check that the bottles you are registering for or purchasing are explicitly marked as dishwasher safe.
Bottles also come with instructions on how to best clean the product. The method matters for safety, so its best to research your bottles a bit before using them.
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Is It Necessary To Wash Baby Bottles Regularly
Cleaning baby bottles thoroughly should follow each meal. No questions asked. Throw away any unfinished formula if your infant does not finish a bottle within 2 hours.
If you introduce breast milk or formula to a partially used bottle, or if used bottle parts are just rinsed rather than washed, germs will multiply promptly. Also, make sure your babys bottle parts are dry as a desert before putting them away. You dont need to sterilize baby bottles that often, but you have to wash baby bottles every day.
Sterilize With Boiling Water
This is the safest, easiest method for sterilizing your baby bottles.
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Pros And Cons Of Bottle Sterilizers
Bottle sterilizers are small devices that use steam to clean and sterilize dirty baby bottles.
They come in two main varieties: Countertop sterilizers and microwave sterilizers.
The countertop products blast your bottles with hot steam and then dry them thoroughly so theyre ready to use.
Microwave sterilizers hold the bottles in place while you evaporate water in the microwave, creating sterilizing steam its faster but the bottles will need to cool down and dry after before you can use them.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of cleaning your bottles this way.
How To Clean Baby Bottles
We know babies require a lot of stuff. And by a lot, we mean, a lot! All of those bottles, bottle parts, nipples, pacifiers, and sippy cups need to be cleaned. Over and over. Day after day. Hereâs everything you need to know on how to clean baby bottles and parts, so you can worry less about all the âstuffâ and spend more time with your little duckling!
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Rinse Or Soak The Bottles
Once all the parts are separated, its time to give them a quick rinse under running water. This will remove any visible dirt or milk residue before putting them in the dishwasher.
If you have time, you can also soak the bottles in warm water with a bit of mild soap for a few minutes to loosen any stubborn dirt. You can also soak your bottles in equal parts vinegar and water to remove any milk residue and build-up.
Wash Baby Bottles In A Samsung Dishwasher
Taking care of a baby is A LOT of work, so dont be ashamed to sometimes do things the easy way and clean your babys bottles in the dishwasher! Once youve determined that the bottles are dishwasher safe, there a few precautions youll need to take to make everything go smoothly. However, washing baby bottles isnt too different from washing other items. It just takes an extra bit of care.
Important: Talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions about bottle care. Some may recommend sterilizing baby bottles or other cleaning methods.
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When Can You Start Using The Dishwasher For Cleaning Baby Bottles
Some parents wait weeks before putting baby bottles in the dishwasher. But you can actually wash your baby bottle in the dishwasher from day one!
Once youve picked out a bottle your baby will accept, and youve stocked enough bottles to last you a few days of feeding, or at least 24 hours so you dont feel like youve been washing bottles, using the dishwasher will Be your best friend for cleaning bottles.
Ideally, youll want two sets of bottles so you can use one set while washing and drying the other, but you can also find a system that works best for you and your family. For us, its running the dishwasher before bed and emptying it before breakfast. This way we always have clean bottles at the ready.
Dont Forget These Things When Using A Dishwasher
Its beyond doubt that washing your baby bottles in the dishwasher makes it much more handy and easy for you but always these things in mind.
Stain: Never clean your baby bottles with dishes that contain food that is capable of staining like pasta sauce. It can splatter over your baby bottles while washing under a high temperature, and this can result in stained bottles and nipples.
Bottle placement: Place your baby bottles with much care in the dishwasher. Always place them with the opening face down this way you will do an effective cleaning.
Dont let the bottles fall over during the process. If it falls, you better sterilize it. Baby bottles also discolor because baked milk fats remain in bottles during the insufficient rinsing and watering process.
Your baby relies more on bottles for their nourishment before moving to the next stage of life. So you should not ignore this and clean your feeding bottles properly. Its up to you whatever cleaning method you pick just try to do it safely and effectively.
The most important thing is to clean the baby bottle instantly right after using, washing and rinsing thoroughly, and drying thoroughly for the next feeding.
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Why Is It Important To Sterilize Baby Bottles
Babies under 3 months old are still developing their immune system, and many infections that would be more mild or moderate at older ages can be severe in these months. While cleaning bottles thoroughly and immediately using them is usually enough to remove harmful bacteria, viruses and other contaminants, for the first three months of a baby’s life, sterilizing bottles daily or more often is another recommended level of protection.
How To Clean Wine Bottles By Hand Washing
Its easy to clean individual wine bottles by hand washing. All you need is The Crown Choice long bottle brush and a cleaning liquid.
How to Clean Your Wine Bottles with a Long Bottle Brush with a Cleaning Tip
Step 1: Soak your wine bottle in warm soapy water to loosen the gunk
Contamination Warning: Clean the container properly. If youre using a tub or your sink then clean that properly with detergent and disinfectant.
Step 2: Insert the long bottle brush and scrub the inside of the wine bottle in a circular motionStep 3: Make sure the cleaning tip is touching the bottom of the bottleStep 4: Rinse properlyStep 5: Invert the bottle and let it dry
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How To Clean Wine Bottles Using A Dishwasher
The dishwasher is the fastest and easiest way to clean wine bottles. However, a dishwasher may not get the perfect cleaning result. I say that because there could still be some wine or moldy residue that the dishwasher steam might not be able to get to and clean.
This may not necessarily be a bad thing because the bottle still comes out pasteurized. Its just a detail that some people would want to be aware of.
Step 1: Put your bottles upside down in the spike rackStep 2: Put your dishwasher in a rinse cycle but without soapStep 3: Leave the bottle in on heat dryStep 4: Remove the bottle as you need themStep 5: If you need to use the dishwasher then store the bottles somewhere sanitary like a dry cupboard
You can also use the dishwasher on heat dry settings after brushing to sanitize the bottles before using them.
Step : Unloading The Baby Items
If the baby bottles are still wet during assembly, they can retain moisture and flourish microbial growth. Thus After completing the washing cycle, allow your baby bottles to dry completely inside the dishwasher before removing them for storage, or air-dry them after shaking off the excess water.
Its crucial to wash your hands before taking the baby bottles out of the dishwasher too. Towels or other cloths can also transfer germs to the baby bottles during the drying process so avoid using those.
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Hand Wash Your Baby Bottles
If your baby bottles are not dishwasher safe or if youre not sure and just want to play it safe, hand washing bottles only takes a few minutes.
First things first, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands. You dont want to accidentally get germs on the bottle while youre cleaning it!
Next, pour hot water in a clean bucket or large container – make sure it’s clean as well!
Add a gentle dishwashing soap, such as Dawn, to the water and swish it around until its full of suds.
Place the bottles and their parts into the container of soapy water.
Use a bottle cleaner brush or another instrument to scrub away any grime or debris.
Once everything is clean, place the items on ababy bottle drying rack if they are still wet. Let the bottles air dry dont wipe them with clothes or paper towels. This could transfer germs.
After the bottles have air-dried, store them somewhere thats protected from dust and dirt.
If A Baby Is Premature Or Has Health Issues
If your baby is premature or has health issues regular and frequent bottle sterilization may be necessary.
If this is the case your childs doctor will likely advise you on sterilizing their bottles, but both Malhotra and the CDC caution that any child with any sort of weakened immune system should have their bottles regularly sterilized.
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How To Clean A Baby Bottle When The Baby Has Thrush
Youll need to sterilize after cleaning baby bottles every day if your baby has thrush and use a nipple brush to clean the nipples extra well. If you dont know what thrush is, because there is yeast on the skin, mothers might pass on Candida to their baby when they give birth causing oral thrush, lasting anywhere from 2 hours to 2-4 months.
Another cause of oral thrush can be filthy formula bottle parts or pacifiers. So if your baby has thrush, you need to be extra careful while washing their bottles. After each usage, sterilize the baby bottle and use a nipple brush. Place the nipples in boiling water for 10 minutes or use the sanitizing mode in the dishwasher.
Allow the nipples to cool before using. If your child needs a pacifier, invest in a few extras that you can sanitize in between usage.
Do I Need To Clean Infant Formula Containers
No studies have shown that babies have become sick from contamination on the outside of an infant formula container. Also, powdered infant formula is less likely to become contaminated if it stays dry. Avoid using liquid cleaners on infant formula containers to help prevent contaminating powdered formula inside the container.
If you want to clean the formula container, use a disinfectant wipe or paper towel sprayed with disinfectant to clean the outside of the container and lid before it is opened for the first time. Do not submerge the container or place it under running water. Wait until the surfaces are completely dry before opening the container. Do not clean the inside of the infant formula container.
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Add The Right Detergent
The detergent that you use when cleaning your bottle matters a lot. If you dont use the right detergent, then the dishwasher will not clean the bottles effectively. The recommended detergent for cleaning a bottle is one that is clear to ensure that residues are not left in the bottle. Dont use dishwasher tablets when cleaning bottles because they may leave residues behind.
Use Vinegar To Get Stubborn Fat Off Of Bottle Nipples
Do you find that the nipples of your bottles are cloudy? Sometimes, breast milk fat residue can stick to them no matter how many times you wash them.
To get it off, you can submerge the nipples in a vinegar/water solution .
Soak them for 30 minutes, and then wash the nipples with soap and hot water.
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Sterilizing Baby Bottles In The Microwave
Another super-easy approach to sterilizing baby bottles? Using your microwaves steam power! Heres how to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave without any other special equipment:
Another option is to purchase a microwave baby bottle sterilizer. This type of sterilizer also harnesses the power of steam, but it encloses the bottles in a plastic casing to give them a more thorough cleansing. These handy sterilizers are widely available and typically cost about half as much as the better-known electric baby bottle sterilizers.
Check If The Bottle Is Dishwasher Safe
The first thing to do before loading the bottles in the dishwasher is to check if they are dishwasher safe. Nowadays most bottles are made of silicone and plastics which are dishwasher safe. However, dont just assume that your bottle is dishwasher safe, always check to be sure that they are indeed safe to be washed in the dishwasher. For instance, bottles made of aluminum are not dishwasher safe, meaning that if you load them in your dishwasher, you may end up damaging their protective material. So, the first important thing to do is to check if the bottle is dishwasher safe. If yes, then you can go to the next step, and if not, you should wash it with your hands.
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