Can baby bottles be sterilized by boiling water? What is the best way to sterilize baby bottles?

The milk bottle is the main tool and container for babies to eat milk and drink water. In the process of using the milk bottle, it is inevitable that there will be milk stains on the milk bottle, and some bacteria will also appear over time. Babies have low immunity, so for the health of babies, milk bottles must be disinfected regularly. So can boiling water achieve the effect of disinfection?

Can baby bottles be sterilized by boiling water?

Assuming that the baby bottle is not clean, the bacteria it is most likely to contain include common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli, and may also contain Clostridium botulinum spores or certain viruses, which are all things we should strive to eliminate.

These common bacteria are afraid of high temperatures. For example, Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause intestinal infections, diarrhea, vomiting and fever, will be greatly reduced to a safe range if it is kept at a temperature above 70°C for 15 seconds. Listeria, which can cause neonatal purulent meningitis, fever, convulsions, coma and even death, may sound scary, but it is a novice in a hot environment and will die if it is scalded with boiling water. Sterilization is not strictly speaking about extermination, but it is just to control the number of bacteria within a certain range. Therefore, scalding with boiling water for about 30 seconds can basically play a certain bactericidal role.

However, for bacterial spores, that is, a dormant body formed by certain bacteria in harsh environments, they are resistant to acid, drought and heat. In the spore state, they lose their life characteristics and reproduction ability, but once the conditions are right, they will be revived and germinate into bacteria. For example, the spores of Clostridium botulinum must be at least above 101°C for ten minutes to be eliminated, so simply scalding them with boiling water for a while is definitely useless.

And there is another situation. If the baby bottle is contaminated with mold or virus due to improper storage or improper use (mixed use by multiple people) or other unexpected factors, boiling water will be completely futile.

Therefore, the method of sterilizing baby bottles with boiling water is not very reliable.

What is the best way to sterilize baby bottles?

Boiling sterilization

This is the most economical and traditional sterilization method. Add water to the pot, disassemble the parts of the bottle, wash, heat in the pot, boil for 5 minutes, and take out the bottle with clean tongs. Store on a clean shelf and dry. This method is a bit troublesome and prone to secondary contamination.

Steam sterilization

Using 100℃ high temperature steam sterilization should be a very thorough and effective sterilization method. You need to spend money to buy a machine, and if it has sterilization and drying functions, the price may not be too low. However, it can also be used to sterilize children's toys, tableware, etc., which is very practical.

UV disinfection

Ultraviolet radiation can effectively kill microorganisms, thus achieving the purpose of disinfection. There are disinfection boxes with ultraviolet lamps, and you can just put the cleaned baby bottles in. There are also handheld ultraviolet lamps that disinfect baby bottles by shining them.

Sterilize in a dishwasher/kitchenware sterilizer

If you have a dishwasher at home, you can sterilize the bottles directly in the dishwasher, or if you have a separate kitchen cabinet, you can use that. Of course, a dedicated one is best.

Microwave disinfection

Microwave sterilization is relatively safe, convenient and quick, but it is important to note that it must be a special bottle for use in a microwave oven, and when using a microwave oven, it is necessary to confirm the volume and size of the bottle to avoid placing too many items and unnecessary trouble.

The correct way to clean baby bottles

1. Clean the bottle

Rinse the bottle directly after use. Wash it immediately after feeding your child.

2. Use the correct cleaning materials.

Use a bottle brush to clean the bottom and sides of the bottle, and clean the nipple where bacteria can easily accumulate.

Use dishwashing liquid designed for baby bottles.

3. Disassemble the bottle and clean each part separately.

When cleaning the bottle, you must open the bottle and clean the bottle body, bottle ring and nipple separately.

4. Allow the bottle to dry completely.