With the advent of a newborn in the house, the chores associated with his care only increase. Moms try to completely protect the baby from the influence of pathogenic microflora, which can harm its fragile body. It is important to monitor the baby's hygiene and its accessories necessary for feeding. To avoid the negative impact of intestinal infections on the child's body, it is necessary to properly sterilize bottles for newborns. The article will discuss the proper organization of the process, its stages, proven methods and methods.
Do I need to sterilize the bottles
Pediatricians insist on the correct conduct of this process. After all, milk mixtures represent a breeding ground for the development and reproduction of microbes and Escherichia coli. They contain a large number of sugars, lactose, yeast and lactobacilli. If you leave the milk mixture on the table, then it will mold faster and start to produce an unpleasant odor faster than all other products.
In the last century, the need for sterilization of baby bottles was virtually absent, due to the fact that almost every woman breast-fed her baby up to 1 year and older. Modern life, accompanied by stress and the negative impact of the environment, leads to the fact that many babies need artificial feeding. A woman does not have enough breast milk or is completely absent. This negatively affects the body of the newborn.
But with mother’s milk, he receives a lot of vitamins and necessary enzymes that strengthen the baby’s immune system. In this case, the children's body can fight a certain number of bacteria.
E. coli can cause disruption of the digestive tract and its effect is manifested in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and dehydration.
To avoid this, mothers should sterilize bottles for newborns, nipples and teething rings.
Among foreign pediatricians there are many opponents of the disinfection of children's dishes and supporters of the theory of the development of the protective functions of the body through its interaction with pathogenic microflora. Among them, and the famous pediatrician Komarovsky. He is sure that it is enough to wash children's dishes with detergent, and then rinse with water. Sterilization, boiling and other methods lead to the development of allergic reactions in children who grew up in a microbial environment.
On the other hand, a baby starting to crawl pulls into his mouth all the objects that come across him on the floor. Therefore, for the development of the immune system, microbes abound.
Sterilized bottles, nipples and other dishes protect the baby's weak body from the effects of E. coli and other germs.
Parent Tips
How long should the bottles be sterilized? As the baby grows, this question itself disappears. After 5-6 months, they begin to feed him, and children's dishes are not sterilized. Just wash thoroughly.
By about a year, the need for milk mixtures will disappear, therefore, sterilization of bottles for newborns is not necessary. The child’s body will get stronger by this time, will be able to withstand microbes from the immediate environment.
The baby's dishes must be washed with special detergents and rinsed thoroughly.
Preparation for the sterilization process
Before purchasing baby bottles, mother needs to decide on the method of processing them:
- Glass perfectly tolerate all types of heat and microwave processing, do not change shape and serve for a long time. But at the same time, such bottles may break or crack upon impact.
- Plastic does not break, but can change shape under the influence of high temperatures. Also, such products may darken.
Sterilization of plastic bottles for newborns is somewhat different from glass. This is to reduce processing time.
When the baby begins to hold the bottle on its own, the plastic one is safer in this case. She will not break and not hurt the baby. Most materials tolerate basic processing methods well.
It is necessary to prepare bottles for newborns for sterilization at home immediately after feeding. Previously, the remnants of food are removed from them. Do not leave the milk mixture in children's dishes for a long time, this can lead to the rapid reproduction of pathogenic microflora.
How to wash baby bottles before sterilization? They are treated with natural means (soda, salt, mustard). You can use ready-to-use dishwashing detergents - Eared Nannies and others.
The processing steps include:
- wash and rinse the bottle;
- use a brush to clean the entire surface of children's dishes, especially the bottom and neck;
- washed thoroughly.
Next, choose the most convenient way to sterilize the bottles for the newborn. After the procedure, the children's dishes are dried.
Steaming
This method of sterilizing bottles for newborns is one of the most famous and affordable. He has several options.
The easiest way is to hold the dishes over the spout of the kettle. The washed bottle is held by the tack over the steam jet with its neck down. The nipple is filled with hot water from the same teapot.
Keep baby bottles over the steam for a long time, so you can use another method. Put a pot of water on the stove, put a wire stand for hot pans on the bottom and place children's dishes on it.
In a double boiler, it is also excellent to sterilize bottles for newborns at home. It also fits all the dummies, teething rings.
The right amount of water is poured into a double boiler, lattices are installed and children's dishes are placed. Processing time - 10-15 minutes.
Dishes can be taken out not immediately, but gradually. If you process the bottle caps, you can close them. Sterility is maintained for 6 hours.
How to boil the dishes
Sterilizing bottles for children can be done using a simple and quick method. Boiling is carried out in a pan with a wide bottom, where all children's dishes can fit.
It is most convenient to choose a pallet that will protect the plastic bottles from deformation when touching the hot bottom and the walls of the container.
The boiling process is as follows:
- pour water into the pan;
- put bottles in it, completely pouring them with liquid;
- cover and put on fire;
- after boiling stand for 10 minutes;
- remove the dishes from the pan with a large spoon and place on a towel.
Bottles should be handled separately from the nipple. The pan should only be used for processing children's dishes.
Using a microwave
The main rule that is important to observe when processing in the microwave is the absence of any shiny rim on the dishes.
Microwave sterilization of bottles for newborns "Avent" and other manufacturers is carried out in several ways. It must be borne in mind that under the influence of waves, the liquid is heated.
The method of sterilization in a glass pan:
- pour into a container of water;
- fold the bottles without leaving air in them;
- to cover with a lid;
- set the mode of intense heating - 5-7 minutes.
The following processing method is designed to heat water poured into the dishes themselves, without using an additional tank:
- pour 40 ml of water into the bottles;
- put them inside the microwave;
- turn on the heat for 10-15 minutes.
Bottled water will boil and sterilize them. After the process, they should be completely hot. If any part is not warmed up, you need to repeat the procedure. Do not close the bottles with caps so that they do not burst when the water expands.
Using a slow cooker
Sterilization of bottles for newborns at home is as follows. Water is poured into the crock-pot and utensils, and the soup or porridge, and sometimes stewing, is turned on.
Using the second method, you can process plastic bottles, nipples and soothers:
- pour 400-600 ml of water into the multicooker;
- set the grid;
- bottles are placed on it with the neck down;
- include suitable mode.
If the dishes cannot be placed while standing, then they are laid sideways. It takes 20-30 minutes to process it.
In the oven
Sterilization of bottles for newborns is carried out in the oven as follows:
- the dishes are laid sideways on a sheet;
- set the temperature for plastic bottles to 80-90 degrees, and for glass - 100-110 degrees;
- the timer is set depending on the material of the dishes for 10 or 20 minutes.
Take out bottles with a tack and lay on a dry towel. Cold water must be avoided and glass may burst as a result.
You can use another method. Water bottles are installed on the grill, as well as in the microwave. They are placed in a cold oven, turn on heating by 50 degrees, and then the temperature is increased.
Special bottle sterilizer
This method of processing children's dishes is the most convenient. Producers tried to provide families with newborns with the most necessary things in life. Famous brands include devices from Philips Avent, Chicco and others.
The principle of operation resembles the sterilization of bottles for newborns in the microwave. The required amount of water is poured into its lower container, and the dishes are placed with their neck down. Set the necessary mode during which the bottle is processed.
Using antiseptic tablets
This method of bottle treatment is quite new and is used by active mothers who are forced to travel for a long time. The action of antiseptic tablets is no less effective than other types of processing dishes.
You can buy them at a pharmacy or specialty store. Several tablets are dissolved in water, where baby bottles, nipples and soothers are placed. Soak for 30-40 minutes, then rinse off the antiseptic and dry.
This type of bottle treatment repels the smell of milk. This should be taken into account, because children in this situation can refuse to take the mixture. In addition, you must clearly follow the instructions for the preparation of a solution for disinfection.
Pediatricians opinions on sterilization
Some of the children's doctors do not support procedures that ensure the sterility of children's dishes. Many pediatricians do not believe that newborn bottles need to be sterilized.
They are confident that such antiseptic conditions lead to the development of an allergy in the child, and also provoke the body to an acute reaction to viruses and bacteria, which are much more difficult than in ordinary children.
At the same time, pediatricians are sure that this is not a reason for a complete lack of hygiene, since normal cleanliness is the key to the health of children and adults. However, sterilizing the dishes in which the milk mixture or breast milk was located is necessary.
The remnants of the mixture that the child did not eat are not subject to further storage. They must be poured, and the bottle washed and sterilized.
The process of processing children's dishes is very necessary for a newborn, especially in the first months after birth. Mom can use the most convenient sterilization methods for her.