When it comes to your baby’s feeding equipment, especially bottles, sterilising is non-negotiable.

Sterilising your baby’s bottles and other items, such as teats, dummies and breast pump parts, isn’t just a good habit; it’s a vital step in protecting your little one from harmful germs and avoidable illness.

“In the first year of life, your baby’s immune system is still developing and is less equipped to fight off bacteria and viruses. Harmful germs that adults might handle easily can cause serious infections in babies, including gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and vomiting,” warns Catherine Oluwadare, brand manager for Milton.

Milk residue (breast milk or formula) can easily stick to the inside of the bottle, especially in hard-to-reach places, such as the teat or the screw cap. If this leftover milk is not thoroughly washed out of these places, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria such as E-coli and Salmonella.

“Sterilising is about wiping equipment completely clean of bacteria, viruses and fungi, the full microbial line-up. And, because milk is such a rich growth medium, even a tiny trace can multiply in bacteria surprisingly fast,” explains Oluwadare.

sterilising 101

Bottles, teats and certain breast pump parts must be properly sterilised to eliminate all germs.

“Soapy warm water is not enough to remove germs, and it doesn’t kill all bacteria,” says Oluwadare.

“When sterilising, using a trusted sterilising agent, such as Milton, which kills 99% of all germs, and is a safe solution.”

Tips

Here are a few tips to ensure you allow your little one to avoid as many germs as possible:

• Always wash bottles first to remove milk residue before sterilising.
• Use clean tongs or washed hands when removing items from the steriliser.
• Sterilise all feeding items until your baby is at least 12 months old.
• Sterilise after every feed to reduce the risk of tummy bugs, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Don’t forget sippy cups, teething toys and dummies.
• Check that your baby’s bottles and teats are still in good condition. Cracks, scratches, or cloudy plastic can harbour bacteria no matter how much you sterilise.

Read our articles on breastfeeding and dummies.

different ways to sterilise

There are different ways for parents to sterilise their baby’s bottles:

1. The classic boil

• How: pop your bottles, teats and caps into a pot of boiling water for at least 10 minutes.
• Why it works: a 100°C heat penetrates and destroys bacterial proteins and enzymes.
• Best for: low-tech, budget-friendly households.
• Watch out for: over time, boiling can make plastic cloudy or weaken teats, so be sure to keep an eye on wear and tear.

2. Steam power

• How: steam is the modern parent’s time-saver. Microwave sterilisers can blitz bacteria in as little as 3–6 minutes, while electric countertop units run longer, but keep bottles sterile for up to 24 hours if the lid stays shut.
• Why it works: steam transfers heat faster than dry air, making it deadly to microbes in minutes.
• Best for: busy parents who want a quick option.
• Watch out for: You’ll need access to power, and it’s worth checking your bottles are steam-safe.

3. Cold water and tablets: the “Milton Method”

• How: mix sterilising tablets or fluid with cold tap water and submerge everything for 15–30 minutes.
• Why it works: the solution chemically inactivates bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Best for: travelling, camping or when there’s no reliable power source, for example, load shedding.
• Watch out for: precise measuring is key, but the Milton’s cap provides a measuring option.

4. UV-C light

• How: using ultraviolet light to sterilise bottles feels like something from a sci-fi film, but it’s growing in popularity. UV-C light damages microbes’ DNA, stopping them from multiplying.
• Best for: parents looking for a dry method.
• Watch out for: UV only works on surfaces it can “see,” so every part needs to be exposed.

No matter the sterilising method you use, make sure you are consistent – germs don’t take a break.

With so many safe and simple sterilising options available today, it’s a small task that brings big peace of mind. After all, when it comes to your baby’s health, every drop of effort counts.