How do I disinfect and scald bottles, nipples and baby feeding supplies?

Preparing and eating food requires good hygiene. This is especially important when feeding infants and young children, as they are very susceptible to infections and food poisoning. Proper washing and disinfection of bottles, nipples, eating utensils and utensils are important elements in maintaining baby's food hygiene. How to wash and sterilize bottles and nipples? Can all types of bottles be boiled and steamed? Can UV lamps be used? Let's find out!

dr.n. farm. Maria Kaspshak

Allies in disinfecting baby bottles - boiling water and hot steam

How to keep baby accessories clean and hygienic? Chemical disinfectants should not be used for this purpose, as they can be toxic or damage the material of the objects to be disinfected. However, boiling water or hot steam kills almost all germs without leaving any harmful residue, so steaming, cooking, or steam sterilization are the most common and long-lasting methods of keeping bottles, nipples, and other accessories clean. Automatic electrical devices for sterilization are now available, as well as special containers or bags that allow the use of microwave ovens for this purpose. For a more economical one, a pot and a kettle of boiling water may suffice. The most important thing to remember is a few key rules that will make keeping children's dishes clean efficient and hassle-free.

First of all, wash dishes and nipples thoroughly after each use.

Always wash bottles and other utensils thoroughly before disinfecting. Few people know that organic contaminants reduce the effectiveness of disinfection. They are also a breeding ground for microorganisms. Therefore, it is best to wash bottles, nipples or bowls immediately after use, before the food remains dry. Do not rub them with sharp brushes or powders to prevent scratches, which may contain residual dirt that is difficult to remove later. You can use water with a mild detergent or special liquid for washing baby bottles, as well as special soft brushes or sponges for bottles. They are often available in kits, complete with brushes or cleaners for nipples and drinking straws. After washing, the dishes should be thoroughly rinsed under running water and allowed to dry on a dryer or a clean cloth. Some baby utensils can be washed in the dishwasher - see product label for details. Only clean, washed dishes can be subjected to thermal disinfection.

Second - check the type of material

Most nursing accessories and nipples are heat resistant, but some materials require special handling. Glass bottles can be boiled, sterilized and scalded without damaging them, but plastic utensils and accessories can be deformed. Therefore, carefully read the labels - the manufacturer always gives a recipe for washing and disinfecting their products. Polypropylene bottles and vessels (designation "PP") can be sterilized in steam sterilizers, boiled and scalded by pouring boiling water over them. The same can be done with silicone elements and nipples. It is worth remembering that silicone is easily stained when in contact with food (for example, carrot juice or tomatoes), but this is not a disadvantage. Tritan bottles deform when exposed to high temperatures for a long time, so only once, after purchase, you can boil them for 5 minutes in water, then simply pour boiling water over them. For other materials, such as melamine, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Maybe the bowl or plate is not suitable for sterilization, then you will have to be content with a thorough wash.

Third - choose the right sterilizer

For people with a big budget and who value convenience, we recommend freestanding steam sterilizers. Pour the right amount of water into them, insert bottles and nipples, close the lid and turn it on. The heating element heats the water to a boil and maintains it for a certain period of time, usually several minutes, so that the hot steam kills any bacteria. Thanks to the steam, lime deposits from hard water do not form on the dishes. After that, the sterilizer automatically turns off for the convenience and safety of users. Plastic tweezers come with many sterilizers to help remove hot food after sterilization.

Some bottle warmers also have a built-in sterilization feature. You can raise the temperature of the water to a boil in them to sanitize a bottle or cup. With this versatility, you don't need to buy two separate devices. Most often these are small tea candles, for one bottle, although you can buy larger models.

If you don't want another electrical appliance taking up space in your kitchen, choose a microwave sterilization container. Water is poured into such a container and bottles are placed, but the water is heated in a microwave oven. Such containers, sometimes referred to as microwave sterilizers, have suitable leak-proof lids to allow excess steam to pass through. This is necessary because if sealed, the resulting steam could explode the container and the microwave oven. Instead of a large and rigid microwave sterilizer, special bags (bags) can also be used. They are made of material resistant to microwaves and high temperatures, and also have appropriate holes to remove excess steam. Such packages are disposable or reusable, depending on the model and manufacturer. Remember that only containers or bags specifically designed for this purpose should be used for microwave steam sterilization! Use of other containers may result in an accident.

Kettle and pot of boiling water for the economical and waste-free enthusiast

Special sterilizers and microwave containers are convenient and functional, but not everyone is happy with this solution for various reasons - economic, environmental or other. If you don't want to buy more electrical appliances or plastic items, a kettle or pot of boiling water will do the job just fine too. Glass and polypropylene bottles can be boiled in boiling water for up to several minutes, as can silicone nipples and silicone accessories (such as breast pump tubes). Boiled items should float freely in the water and be completely immersed in it. To prevent lime deposits from hard water from forming on them, you can add a little vinegar or citric acid during cooking, and then rinse everything with clean boiled water. As already mentioned, tritan bottles can only be scalded after washing, pouring boiling water over them without boiling.

Fourth - dry thoroughly and store in a clean, ventilated place.

Regardless of the sterilization method chosen, all bottles, nipples and other items must be thoroughly dried after the process is complete. Storing wet or damp dishes can lead to the growth of mold or other micro-organisms. After drying - on drying or a clean rag, close the dishes in a dry and clean container and store in a ventilated place until the next use. Rather, avoid wiping bottles with rags - even clean ones contain bacteria and fine fibers that can remain on the dishes. Sometimes special dryers or bottle holders are attached to sterilizers or bottle washing kits. While they're handy, a regular kitchen dryer will work just as well if it's clean. By following these simple rules of hygiene, washing your hands thoroughly and preparing food properly, you will help protect your baby from food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections.

UV Disinfection - UV Sterilizers

A novelty on the Polish market are devices equipped with UV lamps for the disinfection of small objects, such as nipples. UV radiation kills bacteria, viruses and fungi in a relatively short time. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using UV sterilizers. First of all - UV rays are harmful to the skin and eyes, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not use the device without closing the lid tightly. Secondly, UV rays only affect the surface and do not penetrate deep into the object, so before disinfection, you need to thoroughly wash the object so that dirt does not cover parts of its surface. Third, remember that some plastics can discolour or crack when exposed to ultraviolet light. If such wear is detected, such an element should be replaced with a new one.

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