HYGIENE AND STERILISING
Milk is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can cause gastro-enteritis, an illness that can be life threatening to your baby. For each feed you give your baby, the utensils should be sterile. You can prepare your baby feeds one at a time, or as and when you need them.
Handling
- Always wash feeding utensils - bottles, teats and caps - thoroughly, using washing up detergent and water, immediately after each feed.
- Use a bottle brush if necessary (this will help to clean away any milk deposits in awkward places like the rim of the bottle and teats).
- Rinse the feeding utensils under running water.
- After cleaning, all equipment must be sterilised.
There are two different methods for sterilising your baby's feeding utensils using boiling or sterilising units. It is essential to follow handling and sterilising instructions as they are designed to reduce contamination and protect your baby from infection:
Boiling
You should select a sauce pan that will be used for sterilising only your baby's utensils and for no other purpose.
- Place utensils in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil - leave covered until needed.
- Bottle teats should be boiled for approximately three minutes - leave covered until needed.
- Always wash your hands before handling any of the sterilised utensils.
- If utensils are not used within 3 hours, then re-sterilise the utensils.
Sterilising Units
There are many choices of units available: Steam, Microwave and Cold Water sterilisers, all of which are very effective in killing harmful bacteria when used according to the manufacturers' instructions
- Always wash your hands before handling any of the sterilised utensils.
- Do not remove teats with your hands - use the special tongs and remember to sterilise these before using.
- Please click here for Preparation information.
Sterilising units can be purchased from most department stores - there is a wide range of different brands, shapes and sizes to choose from. Read the information on how each one operates and select the one you feel best suits your needs.
