Cleaning baby bottles may seem a straightforward task, but not all parents know how to go about this. Bottles used to feed your child cannot be cleaned the way you clean your other dishes because your baby does not have a fully developed immune system. Babies are more susceptible to bacteria than adults, so you need to learn how to clean baby bottles properly so that they are not exposed to bacteria that could make them sick.
How to Clean Baby Bottles
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you wash bottles with soap and hot water after every feeding and make sure they are thoroughly dry before using them again. This helps to rid the bottle of any bacteria that could be growing in leftover milk. Here are methods about how to clean baby bottles.
1. Make Preparations
Washing bottles is not the same as washing other dishes. You do not want to leave any milk behind or wash the bottles in water that contains chlorine;you must ensure there are no contaminants or bacteria left behind. Always use a brush to wash bottles by hand in non-chlorinated water with special dish liquid that can be used for babies or soaps that are designed to avoid leaving soap residue behind.
2. Rinse after Every Feeding
You will need to thoroughly clean the bottles; you should also rinse them after each use to prevent old milk or dirt from building up in the bottle. Rinse the bottle out with hot water to get the most effect.
3. Take the Bottle Apart
Each brand of bottle will have its own design and be made up of different parts. Take all of these apart, so you can wash each of them separately.
4. Submerge In Soapy Hot Water
The bottle and all of its attachments should be soaked in a sink that is full of hot water and has a few drops of dish soap before you start to clean them thoroughly
5. Use a Bottle Brush
A bottle brush will let you get inside the bottle, so you can clean it thoroughly. The brush should not be used to clean anything but the bottles for your child.
6. Clean the Nipple
A nipple brush can be used to wash the nipples and nipple holes. Squeeze hot and soapy water through the nipple to release any milk that might be trapped here.
7. Rinse and Dry
Rinse all utensils after washing to remove any traces of soap. Place all bottles in an area where they can get plenty of air as it dries to reduce the risk of mold or fungus growing. Place the bottles and their accessories in a dish drainer using sanitized tongs and wash your hands for 20 seconds using hot and soapy water before you touch the bottles or feed your baby.
Watch the video where an experience mom shows you how to clean baby bottles:
Q & A about How to Clean Baby Bottles
Q: Can I Clean Baby Bottles with a Dish Washer?
A: It is safe to wash and dry baby bottles using a dish washer if you use heated water and a hot drying cycle. Check with the manufacturer of your baby bottles to make sure they are dish washer safe.
Q: What kinds of Baby Bottles Are Easy to Wash?
A: Glass bottles are easier to clean than plastic bottles, but toddlers should not be allowed to run around with these. Most glass bottles are safe for babies to use and will not break down, even if you are using abrasive cleaners and hot water. If you cannot find glass bottles, there are some plastic bottles that are less likely to degrade.
Bottles that you buy should not contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen. The Food and Drug Administration banned this chemical in baby bottles in 2012 because it could potentially harm the prostate glands and brains of fetuses, infants, and children.
Q: What If I Don’t Want to Use Detergent?
A: If you are uncomfortable using detergent, you can rinse your bottles and soak them overnight in a liter of water mixed with half a cup of bicarbonate soda. Rinse them again in the morning. The alkaline property of bicarbonate soda prevents bacteria growth and can help to reduce the smell that can build up from the milk in the bottle.
You can also clean bottles using a mixture of 2 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar will help to kill off bacterial growth. Scrub the bottles using this mixture and a bottle brush and rinse them thoroughly with hot water to make sure the milk your baby drinks does not taste like vinegar.
Q: Do I Need to Sterilize the Baby Bottle?
A: Past generations used to use boiling water to sterilize baby bottles, but doctors now say that drinking water is safe enough to clean with. You only need to make a point of sterilizing bottles and their accessories the first time you use them. Those who have well water, however, should sterilize their bottles more frequently. Learn more about how to sterilize baby bottles.