A clean baby bottle is essential for your little one's health. In this article, you'll learn everything about cleaning and sterilising baby bottles - plus five handy tips.
Why is a clean baby bottle so important?
Your baby doesn't yet have the strong immune defences you have, so it's especially important to keep baby bottles clean. Below you'll find tips for beginners and seasoned parents alike.
Step by step: cleaning a baby bottle
The easiest option is to simply put baby bottles in the dishwasher. Since most bottles are plastic, though, they don't always come out fully dry, and teats sometimes hold onto a bit of water after a cycle too - not ideal. You can of course also wash bottles by hand. Here are both methods in detail.
Baby bottle in the dishwasher
Set the dishwasher to a hotter programme (above 50°C/122°F) and place the bottles next to glass or ceramic dishware: this retains heat better, helping your bottles come out drier. Rinse bottles and teats after the dishwasher cycle, so any soap residue doesn't end up in your baby's milk.
Washing a baby bottle by hand
Bottles stay looking better if you wash them by hand; in the dishwasher they can discolour slightly, especially after a meal involving, say, tomato sauce. Use hot, soapy water and wash the bottles with a bottle brush, which reaches every corner. Some manufacturers even include a small teat brush, also sold separately. Rinse teats well with clean water to remove soap residue, and dry bottles upside down on a clean tea towel or paper towel.
Boiling bottles
For extra peace of mind, you can boil the bottles: place the clean bottles and parts in a pan of boiling water and let them boil for a few minutes. A simple way to sterilise without extra equipment - especially handy for young babies or when using a new bottle for the first time.
What to avoid
Avoid harsh cleaning products: they're not only unnecessary, but can also be harmful to your little one. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and choose mild, baby-safe cleaning products.
Sterilising a baby bottle: three methods
1. In a pan
Bring plenty of water to the boil in a pan the bottles fit into well, and let them boil for at least five minutes. Remove teats, caps, and other parts after three minutes.
2. In the microwave with water
Fill the bottle three-quarters full with water and place it in the microwave. Put the accessories in a microwave-safe dish with water next to it. Allow around three minutes for accessories and five minutes for bottles.
3. In a microwave steriliser
For extra convenience, you can buy a microwave steriliser. These all work in largely the same way - follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The 5 best tips for a clean baby bottle
- Sterilise bottles before first use (see the steps above).
- Rinse off milk residue straight after feeding, which makes cleaning much easier later.
- Use a separate bottle brush just for your baby's bottles.
- The more parts that come apart, the easier it is to keep everything clean.
- Store sterilised bottles in the fridge to help prevent bacterial growth.
Kabrita goat milk-based formula
Did you know more goat milk is consumed worldwide than cow's milk? Goat milk is naturally mild and forms a good basis for formula. Kabrita follow-on and growing-up milk combine the mildness of Dutch goat milk with valuable ingredients such as DHA Omega-3 fatty acids* and GOS dietary fibres - a suitable choice for babies and toddlers.
* As found in all follow-on/growing-up milk.