Sterilize: yes or no? Until? Hot or cold?

Why is it sterilised? Which procedure to use? Up to what age of the child?

The concept of sterilization probably begins to be familiar to you from the first days in the hospital when the bottle, pacifier, nipple shield , whether it is yours or that of your neighbor, is sterilized every time before being used.

Everything the child puts in his mouth is sterilized.

Fortunately not the nipple as it produces colostrum and subsequently breast milk, it contains antibodies that protect the baby and help its still underdeveloped immune defenses.

A baby who has just returned home from the hospital and is breastfed does not need any sterilization except for pacifiers (if you use them, but it would be better not to within the first month of life or in any case until breastfeeding is completed is well underway).

If the baby is artificially fed, the sterilization of bottles and teats must necessarily be done. There are pediatricians who claim that it should only be done for the first 3 months, others up to one year of age.

In general and using common sense, sterilization tends to be abandoned when the child begins to crawl on the floor (around 7-8 months of age) and to handle suitable toys to put in the mouth (such as those to soothe the pain in the gums when the teeth grow ).

A good practice is also a thorough hand washing every time you take a newborn in your arms. This applies to all those who come into contact with the child: grandparents, friends, siblings… anyone.

After 8 months, however, it is important to guarantee the child a clean environment, carefully washing everything that comes into contact with the child, from crockery to toys.

Most common sterilization techniques

Before proceeding with sterilisation, bottles and teats must be thoroughly washed with water and detergent and then thoroughly rinsed to remove any residue of the dishwashing detergent used.

Hot sterilization

Heat sterilization can be done:

• steam powered
• in boiling water
• in the microwave

In all three cases the germicidal power of heat is exploited when the water reaches 100 degrees.

Steam sterilization requires  a special device that runs on electricity, which transforms water into steam. The water boils, turns into vapor which has a germicidal power. The bottle, disassembled into its parts, is inserted into the device which must have an airtight seal and a safety valve for the steam outlet.

A good appliance should have a timer and a safety mechanism to release steam before opening.

Chicco 3 in 1 steam sterilizer:

It can be used in three ways (full for 6 bottles, reduced for 2 bottles or for microwave)

Microwave sterilizers are specially designed to be inserted in the (little) space allowed by the appliance. They are made of resistant material and are equipped with a tray in which to insert water up to the indicated level.

Philips Avent microwave steriliser

The Philips Avent microwave sterilizer sterilizes in 2 minutes at 1100-1850 Watt, 4 minutes at 850-1000 Watt, 6 minutes at 500-850 Watt,

Sterilization in boiling water does not require the purchase of any device but simply the use of a large steel or aluminum pot, better if equipped with a basket.

Put the disassembled bottles in the pot, cover them well with water, put the lid on and bring to the boil.

Once boiling, lower the heat and let it boil for 20 minutes. The basket will allow you to remove the bottles and their components from the water without touching them with your hands.

Cold sterilization

Cold sterilization exploits the bactericidal properties of the solutions obtained by diluting specific disinfectants in water at certain concentrations.

Each disinfectant should be used with a tray showing the exact level of water to add. Each pan should have tongs to pull the items out at the end.

Procedure :

• Prepare the solution as indicated in the disinfectant instructions.
• Immerse the bottles and its components in the solution, checking that all the pieces are well immersed and there are no air bubbles.
• The sterilization time varies from 30 to 90 minutes
• At the end, take the objects with the pliers without touching them

Some solutions require rinsing, others not, carefully check the instructions on the disinfectant package.

The solution must be renewed every day.

Chicco cold sterilizer

Any sterilizer that we may have at home does not perform absolute sterilization, which only happens in the hospital using the autoclave.

As far as the environments are concerned, our home is not sterile, but we can thoroughly clean the surfaces that come into contact with the child even without using detergents, with only steam.