How to sterilize bottles and how old? These questions are especially relevant for mothers whose babies are breast-fed, because breast milk, in contrast to the analogue, is sterile in itself, that is, does not contain pathogens. Moreover, a natural product helps to strengthen immunity due to the content of antibodies. Kids on artificial nutrition lack such protection. That is why it is very important to carefully treat baby dishes and nipples before starting to prepare the mixture.
Why handle baby dishes before use
Before you find out at what age you need to sterilize baby bottles, it is very important to understand what the practical significance of the procedure is.
The fact is that the remains of the milk mixture, as well as the remains of mother's milk, expressed in a vessel, are an excellent medium for the active reproduction of microbes and pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are among the most dangerous. Even a small amount of unused baby food can cause a serious illness. That is why it is very important to carefully handle the dishes and nipples before each use, in order to prevent the penetration of microbes into the fragile body of a newborn baby, which may result in acute intestinal infection.
Doctors opinions
Many experts can not only give an exact answer to the question of how old the baby bottles should be sterilized, but also completely deny the need for this procedure. Domestic experts are convinced of the need for the procedure. Doctors in Western countries have the exact opposite opinion. They believe that bottles and nipples should not be sterilized. According to them, this will enable the children's body to independently develop immunity against harmful microorganisms.
Only parents can decide whether to sterilize or not. Doctors have the right to give advice and instruction on how to properly handle baby dishes, and recommend at what age the bottles and nipples should be sterilized, taking into account the particular development of the baby and his health condition.
Types of sterilization
There are many ways to sterilize . Each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is worth mentioning the most popular and popular methods for processing children's dishes:
- boiling;
- hot steam treatment;
- use of a special device - a sterilizer;
- microwave sterilization;
- processing bottles and nipples in a slow cooker in a suitable mode;
- the use of a solution specially designed for sterilizing children's dishes.
Parents have the right to choose the method that suits them the most.
General sterilization rules
Regardless of which method the parents choose before sterilization, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the soothers and bottles from the remnants of the mixture or milk and plaque. Use only hot water. Do not use special detergents. Universal and the safest is the most ordinary laundry soap, the effectiveness of which has been proven by more than one generation of mothers. A solid baby soap is also suitable for these purposes. It is not recommended to use products with fragrance and a sharp aroma.
It is recommended to rinse the bottles immediately after the end of the next feeding in order to prevent the drying of milk or artificial mixture. Significantly facilitate the task of a special brush or brush for washing dishes designed for infants. You can purchase items in almost any children's goods store or on sites on the Internet. Particular attention when washing children's dishes should be given to the threads on the neck.
It is very important to completely remove the detergent from the surface of the bottle and nipples. To do this, rinse dishes and household items at least three times with hot water.
Domestic children's doctors strongly recommend abandoning detergents in favor of baking soda and ordinary salt itself. In their opinion, they are the safest and do not contain any chemicals. However, if parents decide to purchase a special gel or liquid for washing, you need to choose only specially designed for this means. You can also use a dishwasher to wash the dishes for the newborn.
Boiling is one of the most popular sterilization methods.
A method that was very popular with our grandmothers and even great-grandmothers is boiling. The oldest and easiest method to sterilize baby bottles and soothers.
The whole procedure takes no more than fifteen minutes. After washing the children's dishes, the disassembled bottles are placed in boiling water for five to ten minutes. After the specified time has elapsed, it is necessary to carefully remove the sterilized objects and place them on a clean cloth surface: a towel or a sheet.
You can use ordinary drying for dishes. Very carefully you need to handle plastic bottles in this way. Poor quality material may melt. Dishes for feeding the baby in this case will become worthless. That is why, before proceeding with the sterilization of plastic bottles, it is necessary to study the instructions that are attached to the pharmacy or children's store. To avoid the unpleasant consequences of the processing procedure, you need to give preference to high-quality products. Feeding bottles of the brands Avent and Medela have proven themselves well.
Microwave Bottle Sterilization
A method of sterilizing dishes for feeding babies in a microwave oven is very popular. The method is quite simple. Thoroughly washed and dried items should be placed in a container with cold water, cover and put in the microwave for several minutes. To prevent the emergence of pathogens, just six to eight minutes. Bottles must be disassembled.
There are also special packages for microwave sterilization. A huge advantage of such products is the possibility of reusable use.
Using special appliances
Time does not stand still. If earlier it was customary to process feeding bottles with boiling water, today special devices - electric steam sterilizers for bottles, are becoming more and more popular.
The algorithm of action is the same as in the previous two options. Disassembled bottles are placed in the apparatus. Water is poured into a specially designed container, after which the most suitable mode is set. As a rule, the whole procedure takes no more than ten minutes. A huge advantage of electric sterilizers is the ability to simultaneously process several products for feeding the baby with expressed milk or a mixture. The sterility of the dishes after the procedure persists for several hours. What is also an indisputable advantage of a special device.
Sterilizing bottles with pharmacy drugs
You can also process children's dishes with the help of drugs that have antiseptic properties. This is one of the most advanced sterilization methods. The procedure is carried out in cold water. The main disadvantages are the high cost of special drugs, as well as the duration of the procedure. It will take at least half an hour. Follow the instructions carefully when handling the bottles and nipples. The drug is soluble in water. In the resulting solution are placed bottles with accessories for feeding. After thirty minutes, you need to get products for feeding the baby and care for him from the solution and rinse thoroughly under running warm water.
At what age does the baby need to sterilize the bottles?
The method of processing children's dishes and accessories parents can determine for themselves. But far from all mothers and fathers can answer the question of how old a baby's bottles should be sterilized. And the opinions of experts on this subject differ. Some pediatric pediatricians are convinced that sterilization is only needed for up to six months. Other experts insist that it is necessary to process dishes for feeding the baby up to a year and a half. This opinion is due to the fact that it is at this point that the child’s immune forces can independently resist intestinal infections. Up to this age, the baby needs additional protection.
That is why parents themselves must decide at what age the bottles should be sterilized.
When sterilization is indispensable
Newly made parents need to know not only about how to properly handle dishes and at what age to sterilize bottles for a newborn, but also in what cases you can not do without such a procedure. Thorough disinfection should be carried out immediately after purchasing products in the store, as well as in the case of long-term use of items. In addition, you need to process the dishes if the baby has recently suffered a disease. This will prevent re-infection.
Before sending breast milk for long-term storage in the freezer, thoroughly rinse and sterilize the container.
Conclusion
For parents, the birth of a baby is an important and important event. On the shoulders of the newly minted mom and dad lies many responsibilities that ensure the safety of the crumbs. One of these responsibilities is the processing of children's dishes and accessories.
Currently, there are a huge number of ways to sterilize bottles and soothers. Parents have the right to choose the method that suits them. Newly made parents must also decide, on their own or with the help of a qualified specialist, at what age to sterilize baby bottles: up to six months or a year and a half. Parents can follow the advice of most Western pediatric doctors and completely abandon this procedure.