At birth and during the first months of life, babies' immune systems are not yet capable of protecting them against the various germs and bacteria they are likely to encounter. This is why young parents often wonder whether or not they should sterilize their newborn's bottle and accessories. Especially as the recommendation is no longer systematic - quite the contrary. So, what to do and how? Between pacifiers, breast pumps and Pacifier 1st age, here's a quick look at childcare and sterilization.
CONTENTS:
- Between hygiene and parental serenity
- What should you use to clean your baby's bottles every day?
- How to sterilize a feeding bottle
- What about other baby accessories?
- Focus Élhée: hygiene rethought thanks to medical silicone
Between hygiene and parental serenity
Our grandmothers systematically sterilized the bottles they gave their babies, at every meal. Although restrictive, they were far too afraid of contaminating the milk or the bottle to do without this precaution.
However, the Haut Conseil de la Santé Publique, the Société Française de Neonatalogie, theAssurance Maladie and the French Ministry of Health have all agreed that sterilizing baby bottles and accessories at home is no longer necessary, although it remains an option.
This trend can be explained by the use of bottled water with a low mineral content suitable for infants, the current quality of infant milks, as well as medical advances and a general improvement in hygiene knowledge.
However, the newborn's immune system remains fragile. Passive immunity, transmitted by the mother via the placenta and reinforced by breast-feeding when it takes place, provides only partial protection. This is due in particular to an immature microbiota.
So, even if systematic sterilization is no longer recommended, careful cleaning is still essential to keep babies healthy.
How do you clean your baby's bottles every day?
Because life is also made up of little oversights when you wake up with your eyes half-closed, or between feeds, we've put together a mini-guide to help you wash your baby's bottles properly.
- Use a mild, unscented soap, free from alcohol and essential oils, with a neutral formula that respects mucous membranes.
- Hot water is your best ally, in addition to a clean sponge reserved for baby's things or a brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap and milk. Also, water that is too hard can leave deposits. If this is the case at home, boil the bottles from time to time, or use filtered water for rinsing.
- Finally, drying is just as important: air dry and turn inside out on a clean rack, to avoid stagnant moisture.
🩷 A t Élhée, choosing medical silicone also makes your life easier: no porosity, quick drying and a smooth surface that retains neither odors nor residues.
And what about sensoriality? We don't talk much about it, but toddlers are very sensitive to smells and tastes. A bottle that hasn't been rinsed properly, a residue of scented washing-up liquid or over-aggressive sterilization can alter the taste of the milk and lead to refusal to feed. That's why, to preserve this neutrality, we advise you to use unscented cleaning products, rinse well with clean water and listen carefully to your baby: a grimace or a refusal can be a real signal, and because it's essential to preserve the gentleness of the first sensations.
How do I sterilize a baby's bottle?
Reassuring and effective, especially in the first weeks of life, in the event of premature birth or heavy soiling, sterilization can be performed in a variety of ways.
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Boiling water: immerse each element in a large pot of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes.
➕ Economical, accessible ➖ Handle with care (risk of burns) -
Steamed with an electric sterilizer or steamer. Fast and natural, this method respects materials well.
➕ Practical for everyday use ➖ Bulky, requires dedicated appliance -
In the microwave, using a special sterilizer or a compatible container filled with water.
➕ Ultra fast ➖ Avoid without suitable equipment -
Cold disinfectant tablets diluted in water. Handle with care: dosage, immersion time and thorough rinsing are essential.
➕ Useful on the move ➖ Chemical, for occasional use
Sterilization frequency and precautions
In the first few weeks, daily sterilization can be reassuring, especially if your baby is premature or fragile. After that, careful washing in hot, soapy water (or in the dishwasher for Elhée bottles) is all that's needed.
- Separate all parts of the bottle before sterilization.
- Wash before sterilizing to remove milk residue.
- Leave to air-dry on a clean surface (avoid tea towels, which often carry germs).
5 common mistakes to avoid
- Sterilizing without washing: the two operations have different purposes.
- Reuse a bottle that has not been properly dried or is still warm: this can encourage the proliferation of bacteria.
- Use unsuitable products: some may irritate or alter materials.
- Soak too long in cold sterilizing liquid: this may weaken certain parts over the long term.
- Forget to rinse after chemical sterilization: a persistent taste or odor may bother baby.
🩷 At Élhée, the rounded shape, medical-grade silicone and ability to completely disassemble our bottles naturally make them easy to clean. A real difference every day.
What about other baby accessories?
Beyond the bottle, everyday life with a toddler involves a host of objects that pass from hand to mouth, from bag to table to floor, and which we handle without giving them much thought. And yet, their upkeep also deserves special attention.
What absolutely must be sterilized
- Nipples (bottle or Pacifier): sterilize daily for the first few weeks, then wash thoroughly when dirty.
- Parts of a breast pump in contact with milk (funnel, valves, collecting bottle, etc.): wash after each use and sterilize regularly.
🩷 Élhée tip: both our teats and pacifiers are also made from medical silicone, and therefore compatible with all sterilization methods. Special mention to our pacifiers made in one piece!
What can be cleaned
- Milk dispensers, caps, screw-on rings: wash in hot, soapy water, rinse thoroughly and air dry.
- Teething rings: wash with lukewarm water and mild soap after each use.
- Rigid plastic toys and rattles: clean regularly with a soft sponge and neutral, unscented soap.
👄 A good benchmark: anything baby puts in his mouth and anything containing milk deserves extra care. The rest can follow a classic cleaning routine, to be adapted to your rhythm of use.
Focus Élhée: hygiene rethought thanks to medical silicone
At Élhée, every detail is designed to combine safety, health and serenity for babies and their parents. That's why we've chosen extra-flexible, hypoallergenic and naturally bacteria-resistant medical silicone for the manufacture of our products. Feeding bottles, teats, training cups... this innovative material limits risk and simplifies maintenance routines.
💡 Good to know: medical silicone withstands both heat sterilization and dishwashing. And thanks to its rounded shape, BibROND has no hard-to-reach nooks and crannies: hygiene becomes more intuitive, without aggressive brushes or tedious disassembly. It's a choice that's part and parcel of our commitment to trust and durability, to highly controlled materials and to easing the mental burden on parents.
Bonus: a simple routine for zen parents
With bottles to wash, nights in between and arms always in demand (especially if you're raising a sibling), every gesture counts. So, to lighten your load without neglecting anything, discover our list of efficient points of reference to adopt.
A weekly maintenance checklist
- Every day: wash bottles, teats and accessories in direct contact with baby's milk or mouth.
- Every 2-3 days : clean dosing containers, caps, rings and other small parts.
- Once a week: disinfect storage areas, check condition of accessories (wear, stains, residues) and sterilize if necessary.
- On the run: trust your instincts. An accessory that's fallen on the ground or been used in a public place sometimes deserves a little extra attention.
Frequently asked questions
I've heard that sterilization is recommended up to 6 months. Is this true?
➡️ False, or rather dated. Recommendations have evolved: sterilization is no longer systematic, especially if good basic hygiene is observed.
Is tap water sufficient for preparing baby's bottles?
➡️ Yes, if it's drinkable, but not if it's too hard. In high-risk areas, or if you're not sure, use bottled water with a low mineral content and suitable for infants.
What if I'm a mixed breastfeeder?
➡️ Nothing, the same principles apply. Any accessory used (bottle, nipple shield, breast pump) must be clean and well-maintained.
Can sterilization damage childcare accessories?
➡️ Not with quality materials like the medical silicone used by Élhée. However, some plastics can become brittle over time. Keep an eye on them.
In conclusion, hygiene yes, but without pressure
Taking care of baby's bottles and accessories is important, but it doesn't have to become a source of stress. At Élhée, we're convinced that confidence in your choices and in your baby is an integral part of the equation. Nourished by all the love you have for your baby, this confidence allows you to approach each stage with serenity.
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