Sanitizing helps get rid of most germs and 99.9% of bacteria and food soils. For a healthy, full term newborn baby, it is recommended by the CDC that you sanitize your baby feeding items and pacifiers once every 24 hours until the age of 3 months old. If your little one was born premature or has a weakened immune system it may be recommended to sterilize your baby's feeding items, which takes getting rid of potential germs and bacteria one step further than sanitizing. Here are 4 easy ways to sanitize:
Use your dishwasher! Most dishwashers have a sanitization setting which makes this an easy-peasy way to get your items sanitized. First, follow my washing instructions here, then load your items onto the top rack in your dishwasher. You can use a dishwasher caddy to help keep all the small parts together and organized if you'd like!
Use a microwave steam bag! First, take apart and wash all baby items and pump parts in a wash basin. Then place all items in the steam bag, add the directed amount of water, close up the bag, and microwave for directed amount of time. After the microwave time is completed, remove the items from the bag and place on a drying rack to dry completely before storing, but be careful because items will be VERY hot! Read and follow the instructions for your specific microwave steam bag.
Use a sterilizer machine! You guessed it, just like the other methods, first take apart and wash all baby items and pump parts in a wash basin. Then place the correct amount of water in your sterilizer machine, load your items, and push start! Read and follow the instructions for your specific machine.
Use a pot of boiling water! I'm sure you've recognized a pattern now so you already know the drill for the first step- take apart and wash all baby items and pump parts in a wash basin. Then fill a clean pot with enough water to cover all baby items, place bottles, pump parts, and pacifiers into the water and bring to a boil. Boil the items for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat, and remove items using tongs. Place everything on a drying rack to dry completely before storing.
If you are looking to sterilize your baby feeding items, use methods 2, 3, and 4, as your dishwasher can't reach temperatures hot enough to sterilize items.
Here are my favorite sanitizing and sterilizing items:
