How to Sterilize Newborn Bottles

To sterilize or sanitize newborn bottles, first take the bottle completely apart and clean all parts thoroughly. Depending on the bottle and manufacturer instructions, feeding equipment can then be sanitized using a dishwasher with heated water and a hot drying or sanitizing cycle. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that routine sterilization is generally not necessary for most healthy, full-term newborns when bottles and nipples are cleaned properly.

What Does It Mean to Sterilize Newborn Bottles?

Sterilizing newborn bottles refers to using heat or another sanitizing process after cleaning to kill germs remaining on bottles, nipples and other feeding equipment. This is different from routine cleaning, which uses soap and water to physically remove milk residue, dirt and many germs from feeding equipment.

For everyday newborn bottle care, the distinction matters because bottles must always be thoroughly cleaned, but most healthy, full-term babies do not require their bottles to undergo an additional sterilization step after every use. The AAP states that washing bottles in hot, soapy water and rinsing them thoroughly should kill most germs. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Should You Sterilize Newborn Bottles?

For most healthy, full-term newborns, the AAP states that it is not necessary to routinely sterilize bottles or nipples when they are properly cleaned. Bottles can be thoroughly washed with hot, soapy water and rinsed, or cleaned in an appropriate dishwasher.

Cleanliness is still essential. Parents and caregivers should wash their hands before preparing bottles or feeding a newborn, prepare formula in a clean environment and use clean bottles and nipples. Babies who were born prematurely or have certain medical conditions may require additional feeding-equipment precautions, so parents should follow their pediatrician's specific instructions in these situations. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

What Baby Bottle Materials Can Be Sterilized?

Whether a baby bottle can be sterilized with heat depends on the bottle material and the manufacturer's instructions. Glass bottles can generally tolerate heated cleaning, while plastic bottles require more caution because some plastics should not be exposed to high temperatures. Always check the bottle manufacturer's cleaning and sterilization instructions before boiling, dishwashing or otherwise exposing a bottle to high heat.

• Glass bottles: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that glass bottles can be cleaned in a dishwasher that uses heated water and a hot drying cycle. They can also be washed thoroughly with hot, soapy water and rinsed. Routine boiling is not necessary.
• BPA-free plastic bottles: The AAP recommends choosing plastic bottles identified or certified as BPA-free. Because different plastics respond differently to heat, follow the manufacturer's instructions before using boiling water, a dishwasher or another heat-based sanitizing method.
• Polycarbonate plastic bottles: Avoid boiling, microwaving or washing older polycarbonate bottles in the dishwasher. The AAP notes that heat can increase the release of BPA and recommends avoiding clear plastic bottles or containers marked with recycling code 7 and the letters “PC.”
• Bottle nipples and other parts: Cleaning and heat instructions can vary by material. The AAP notes that some experts recommend boiling bottle nipples for 5 minutes after washing and rinsing them, but parents should follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific product.

The safest approach is to identify the material of the bottle and each removable component before using heat. Do not assume that a bottle, nipple, valve or other feeding component is safe to boil simply because another part of the bottle is heat-safe. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Methods for Cleaning and Sanitizing Newborn Bottles

Newborn bottles can be kept clean using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher, while additional heat can be used when sanitizing compatible feeding equipment. The appropriate method depends on the bottle material and the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Cleaning Newborn Bottles by Hand

Hand-washing newborn bottles with hot, soapy water and thoroughly rinsing them is an appropriate routine cleaning method. The AAP states that this process alone should kill most germs, making additional sterilization unnecessary for most healthy, full-term newborns.

Take the bottle apart so the bottle, nipple and other removable components can be cleaned individually. After washing and rinsing, allow the parts to dry thoroughly before putting the bottle back together.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Newborn Bottles in the Dishwasher

A dishwasher can clean newborn bottles and compatible feeding equipment, and a dishwasher that uses heated water with a hot drying or sanitizing cycle can provide an additional sanitizing step. Always confirm that each bottle component is dishwasher-safe before using this method.

The AAP specifically identifies a dishwasher using heated water and a hot drying cycle as an option for bottles, mixing cups and other equipment used to prepare formula.

Boiling Bottle Nipples

Boiling can provide additional heat treatment for bottle nipples that are designed to tolerate boiling. The AAP notes that some experts recommend boiling nipples for 5 minutes after they have been scrubbed in hot, soapy water and thoroughly rinsed.

Parents should check the manufacturer's instructions before boiling nipples or other bottle components because not every material is designed for high heat. The AAP also advises against boiling older polycarbonate plastic bottles because heat can increase the release of chemicals from these materials.

How to Sterilize Newborn Bottles Safely

To safely clean and sanitize newborn bottles, begin with clean hands, completely disassemble the bottle, thoroughly clean every component and then use an appropriate heat-based sanitizing method if an additional sanitizing step is needed. Always follow the bottle manufacturer's instructions regarding dishwasher use, boiling and heat exposure.

Step 1: Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands thoroughly before handling clean bottles, nipples, formula or other newborn feeding equipment. The AAP recommends starting with clean hands whenever preparing or handling a baby's bottles.

Step 2: Take the Bottle Apart

Separate the bottle into its individual components before cleaning. Remove the nipple, collar or ring, cap and any other removable pieces so milk residue and germs are not trapped between connected parts.

Step 3: Wash the Bottle and All Parts

Wash the bottle and its components thoroughly with hot, soapy water and rinse away all traces of soap. Pay particular attention to nipples and other areas where milk or formula can collect.

Step 4: Sanitize With Heat if Needed

If you are using an additional sanitizing step, place dishwasher-safe bottles and feeding equipment in a dishwasher that uses heated water and a hot drying or sanitizing cycle. For nipples that the manufacturer confirms can be boiled, the AAP notes that some experts recommend boiling them for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Allow the Bottle Parts to Dry

Allow cleaned bottle components to dry thoroughly before storing or reassembling them. Keep clean feeding equipment protected from dirty surfaces and handle the parts with clean hands.

Step 6: Store the Clean Bottles Until the Next Feeding

Once the bottle parts are clean and dry, store them in a clean area until they are needed. Wash your hands again before preparing formula or handling feeding equipment if your hands have become contaminated.

For most healthy, full-term newborns, these cleaning practices are sufficient and bottles do not need to be repeatedly sterilized after every feeding. Parents of babies born prematurely or babies with medical conditions should ask their pediatrician whether additional sanitizing precautions are appropriate.

Newborn & Infant Care in Corpus Christi

Proper bottle preparation is just one part of caring for a newborn. If you have questions about feeding, growth, development or everyday newborn care, Dr. Balasundari Krishnan provides pediatric care and parent education for newborns and infants in Corpus Christi.

• Newborn & Infant Care
• Well-Child Visits
• Growth & Development Monitoring
• Developmental Screenings
• Family & Parent Education

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Krishnan for newborn and infant care in Corpus Christi.