As sleep-deprived parents, there are a few things that just become second nature. Sterilising your baby's bottles and feeding equipment is just one of those parenting tasks that you quickly learn to do on autopilot. But, understandably, your Google search history is probably full of questions like 'Can I stop sterilising bottles at 6 months?' and 'When do babies sleep through the night?'. So, let's break down when you can finally put away the steriliser.
Why sterilising is important
Your young baby is still developing their immune system, so they're more susceptible to germs and bacteria than you are. Although it is not possible to protect your baby from all germs, it is possible to offer some protection by sterilising all of their feeding equipment to prevent anything nasty, such as illness or diarrhoea, from being passed onto them when they feed, usually as a result of lingering breastmilk or formula. If you don't have one already, we've got the low down on the best sterilisers to buy for babies.
Can I stop sterilising bottles at 6 months?
The NHS recommends sterilising bottles and feeding equipment for 12 months. Once your baby is sitting and picking things up, a lot often ends up in your baby’s mouth, which may make you wonder why you are still sterilising when all sorts of unsterilised items end up in your baby’s mouth anyway. However, bugs created from milk can be particularly bad and just not worth the risk in the first year of your child's life when they are still building up their immune system.
Once your baby is a year old, they will have started to produce their own antibodies and be more resistant to harmful germs. It's still a good idea to sterilise bottles, dummies and teats until your baby stops using them. Once you’re in the habit of sterilising, it can be just as easy to continue.
What should you sterilise?
The answer to what exactly you should sterilise is quite simple: Everything! You’ll know from washing your bottles that they have many parts: the lid, the bottle itself, the fiddly neck, and the teat itself. Every part of the bottle should be sterilised every time it is used.
If your baby uses a dummy, this should also be sterilised whenever it is dropped or the teat is touched by unwashed hands.
Your little one may have started using a cup or beaker to drink water at six months old, but it doesn't need to be sterilised. It's much easier to clean than a baby bottle, so you can wash it well with warm, soapy water or in your dishwasher.
What happens if I don't sterilise baby bottles?
While sterilising may seem like an extra step, it's essential for keeping your baby safe and preventing unnecessary health risks. We know it can be tempting to cut sterilising out earlier than a year, but it can have severe consequences. Without sterilisation, your baby may be at an increased risk of digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, or other infections caused by harmful bacteria. And while you might not see the bacteria or contamination, it doesn't mean the bottle is safe. Even a small amount of bacteria can be harmful to a little baby.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.