Sterilising teats, bottles and dummies
Everything that comes into contact with an infant’s food needs thorough cleaning and sterilising. This includes bottles, teats, cups, utensils & dummies or pacifiers.
All equipment should be rinsed in cold water after use, washed in soap and hot water using a bottle brush to thoroughly clean everything, then rinsed again, before being sterilised.
There are a number of ways to sterilise bottles and other equipment including:
- boiling
put utensils in a large saucepan of water and boil for 5 minutes.
- chemicals
add an approved sterilising liquid or tablet to the container of water used to soak clean equipment. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
- steam sterilisers
automatic units which sterilise clean equipment. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
- microwave steam sterilisers
put bottles and other equipment into steriliser, which is then heated in the microwave. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
For more information about bottle feeding and sterilising equipment, talk to your Child and Child Health Nurse or a pharmacist.
Where to get help
Remember
- Everything that comes into contact with an infant’s food needs thorough cleaning and sterilising.
- All equipment should be rinsed in cold water after use, washed in soap and hot water using a bottle brush to thoroughly clean everything, then rinsed again, before being sterilised.
Acknowledgements
Information reproduced with the permission of the NSW Food Authority
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.