Use a Bottle Sterilizer

Bottle sterilizers are special machines designed to provide an extra degree of sterilization for your baby’s bottles. You can usually find both electric units and units used in the microwave, and many microwave units can also double as cold water sterilizers. The amount of water you will need and the length of time sterilization takes will vary from unit to unit, though, so you will need the manufacturer’s instructions to determine exact amounts.

Steps

Electric Steam Sterilizer

1. Add the recommended amount of water to the sterilizer. Most bottle sterilizers require the addition of about 7 oz. (200 ml) of water, but this amount can vary depending on the manufacturer. Too little water may not sterilize the bottles properly, but too much could cause the basin to overflow.
2. Load the sterilizer. Place one bottle upside-down on each prong. Do not attempt to load more bottles into the sterilizer than there are prongs. Most only have room for about six bottles, so if you have more than that, you will need to clean the bottles in batches.
3. Place the nipples, nipple rings, and caps inside. These other pieces should be spaced apart evenly enough so that they do not touch. If the sterilizer has lower prongs, space them in between these prongs to hold them in place.
4. Put the cover on. In order to clean the bottles, the sterilizer will need to generate steam. The steam needs to be contained in order to have the desired effect.
5. Turn on the machine. It should automatically begin heating the bottles to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), creating enough steam to kill off any bacteria. For most electric steam sterilizers, the process takes about 10 minutes.
6. Remove the bottles when the cycle finishes. Do not attempt to remove them until after the sterilizer finishes its cooling cycle. Dry the bottles with a clean dish towel or allow them to air dry.

Microwave Steam Sterilizer

1. Remove the rack from the basin. Most microwave sterilizers have a removable rack. This rack makes it possible for steam to rise from the bottom, but it should be removed prior to filling the unit.
2. Pour water into the base. The sterilizer may have a "fill line" that lets you know where to stop. If not, consult the manufacturer's instructions. Most sterilizers require about 7 oz. (200 ml) to work.
3. Replace the rack. Some racks snap in place, while others are simple held in place by pressure.
4. Load the bottles and accessories. Every unit will have slightly different positions for each piece, but every unit should have a designated place for each piece.
   • Place the bottle nipples in the appropriate cavities and the screw rings over the nipples.
   • Place the caps in the cap slots. Many units actually have a stem or prong with slots for the caps.
   • Place the bottles in upside down. In some machines, you will need to place the bottles over the bottle nipples and rings. In other units, the bottles will have their own separate prongs.
5. Close the lid. Make sure that it is locked before starting the process of sterilization.
6. Microwave the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Each sterilizer will vary. In general, however, you will microwave the unit for 8 minutes in an 800 watt microwave, 6 minutes for a microwave between 850 and 1000 watts, and 4 minutes for 1100 watts.
7. Allow the unit to cool before removing the bottles and accessories. The sterilizer will need to cool for at least three minutes before it will be safe to handle.

Cold Water Sterilizer

1. Remove the sterilizer tray. Most cold water sterilizers double as microwave sterilizers. For cold water sterilization, the bottles will not actually sit on the tray used during the microwaving process.
2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fill the basin. You will need to fill the basin with very cold water. Each unit will need to be filled above the microwave fill line since you are using the water itself to sterilize the bottles, not the steam.
3. Add a sterilizing tablet or solution. Use one manufactured specifically for use with your sterilizer or a product that is labeled for use with bottle sterilizers. Sterilizing solutions not marketed for use with bottle sterilizers may not be safe to use on your baby's bottles.
4. Dunk the bottles and accessories into the water. Allow the bottles to completely fill with water.
5. Use the tray to keep everything below the water. The weight of the tray can help keep the bottles and accessories beneath the water's surface, ensuring that they are completely sterilized.
6. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for times. In many cases, the bottles should only stay submerged for as long as the water stays cold. You will likely need to remove the bottles after 10 to 15 minutes, but exact times will vary.

Tips

• A bottle sterilizer is not meant to wash milk out of the bottles. You should briefly wash the bottles and accessories with hot, soapy water before sterilization to remove the milk residue.

Things You’ll Need

• Baby bottles
• Bottle sterilizer
• Manufacturer’s instructions
• Water
• Sterilizing tablets or solution (for cold water sterilizers)

Sources and Citations

See also

• Get Your Child to Hold Their Own Bottle
• Get Free Baby Formula
• Add Rice Cereal to Formula
• Wash Baby Bottles
• Sterilize Bottles
• Make Homemade Baby Formula
• Bottle Nurse a Baby
• Switch Baby Formula
• Sterilize Baby Bottles
• Make Powdered Baby Formula

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