Sterilization kills bacteria and other harmful micro organisms. This mechanism is widely used in baby bottles because they are mostly exposed to diseases. The reason being their immune system remaining in under construction phase. Most mothers go for in house method of sterilization such as sterilizing their baby’s feeding equipment in a large pan of boiling water and so on.

Tips for sterilization:

• Use filtered water to sterilize your baby’s equipment.
• Store your baby’s utensils in a separate shelf away from other utensils.
• Use branded baby feeding bottle for quality and assurance.
• Keep a separate dishcloth or use disposable paper towels to pat them dry.
• Use food grade plastic ware for your toddler.
• Wash your hands clean with sanitizers before handling your baby’s dishes.

Today, I will discuss in large the three methods of sterilization viz. Boiling, Steaming and Chemically Sterilizing mostly used by mothers.

List of things required for sterilization:

• Water
• Liquid soap
• Steamer basket
• Saucepan and lid
• Bottle brush
• Large container
• Clean dishcloths
• Chemical sterilizer tablets or liquid

Method 1: Boiling

In this process water is boiled to a temperature high enough to kill bacteria and other harmful micro organisms.

• Take a large pot, place the baby bottles and cover them with water by completely submerging them. Now put the lid on the pot and raise the temperate to the maximum. Bring the water to a boil for 5 minutes and not more than that. You may also add the lids and nipples along with the bottles.
• But never add bottles to water in the boiling stage. This is because the heat emitted could cause the glass to break.
• Now remove it from heat and let it cool down. Use a pair of tongs to remove the bottles from the pot and let them air dry.

Method 2: Steaming

In this process too, water is boiled to a temperature high enough to kill bacteria and other harmful micro organisms.

• Take a large pot that will fit the steamer basket, bottles, lids and nipples all at the same time and fill it with a few inches of water.
• Place the steamer basket inside the pot in such a way that the steamer basket is just above water.
• Place the bottles along with lids and nipples in the steamer basket and cover it.
• Place the pot on a burner at high temperature and let it steam for five minutes.
• Now remove it from heat and let it cool down. Use a pair of tongs to remove the bottles from the pot and let them air dry.
• You may also use microwave or electric steamer as an alternative to a steamer basket.

Method 3: Chemically Sterilizing

In this process chemical sterilizers are used. They are normally liquids or tablets easily diluted in water to kill harmful bacteria. Antibacterial sterilizing solutions are easily available in tablet or liquid form at pharmacies and drug stores.

• Take a large container that can fit in the bottles, lids and nipples you plan on sterilizing. Read the instructions on the package and accordingly measure the ratio of water and liquid or tablet you require to input.
• Completely submerged the bottles in the solution.
• Read instruction about the time required for soaking. Most manufacturers recommend for at least one hour of soaking.
• Remove the bottles from the solution with tongs and clean it with clean dishcloths. You do not have to rinse the bottles as the solution is not harmful to your kid.

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