The last word on sterilising

YB BABY FILES: BABY Is it really necessary to sterilise your baby’s feeding equipment? And until when? Libbie Joubert found out for us

IT’S JUST NOT POSSIBLE to keep your baby’s surroundings completely germfree. Fortunately, researchers say it’s also not even necessary. According to the socalled hygiene hypothesis, children who were exposed to too few bacteria and viruses as babies stand a bigger chance of developing allergies, asthma and other auto-immune conditions later in their lives. Yet this doesn’t mean all germs are always welcome close to your baby, mainly because scientists aren’t entirely sure which germs give the immune system a boost, and which are harmful.

The other thing about early exposure to germs is that your baby does not immediately get the benefit. It’s only later in his life that he’ll better be able to fight against infections than a child who never played games in the dirt.

The bacteria from which you want to protect your child in his first year are those growing in milk. That is why the sterilisation of dummies, baby bottles and other feeding equipment is recommended for at least the first year. Up until your baby’s first birthday he is extremely susceptible to infections due to his weak immune system. Research conducted by Milton South Africa shows that by his first birthday, your baby has built up only 15 to 17 percent of his antibodies, called immunoglobulins.

The vaccines your baby gets in his first year also help to build his antibodies and fight a number of baby illnesses.

But you should help lessen the risk for your baby contracting certain baby diseases by offering extra protection, such as sterilisation, until your baby’s immune system is older and stronger.

FOR HOW LONG?

Sterilise your baby’s bottles, dummies and other feeding equipment for at least the first year. Dummies that fall on the floor or end up in other people’s hands or mouths should also be washed and sterilised in the first year of your child’s life. After that your child produces his own antibodies so that he can be more resistant against germs.

THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT

STEP 1: CLEAN EQUIPMENT Before you can sterilise your breast pump or your baby’s bottles, dummies and teats, it’s a good idea to clean them properly. It’s also easier to clean equipment as quickly as possibly after a feeding or expressing session.

Wash them with a bottle brush and clean warm water and soap. In this way you get rid of any old milk that could still be sticking to the bottles or teats. Turn the teats inside out to be really thorough.

If you have a dishwasher, you can pack the baby equipment on the top shelf of the dishwasher, after first making sure the bottles and equipment are dishwasher-friendly.

STEP 2 Once you’ve cleaned all the equipment, rinse the soap off properly under cold running water. Ensure the teats and bottles have no cracks or tears – bacteria can survive in these little nooks and crannies, even if the equipment is sterilised.

STEP 3 There are five ways to sterilise your baby equipment.

1. BOIL IT IN WATER ON THE STOVE

Place the bottles and teats in boiling water on the stove and boil for five to 10 minutes. Ensure everything is completely covered with water. Remove with bottle tongs, and leave to dry.

2. ELECTRIC STEAM STERILISER

The initial outlay is quite steep, but it’s an efficient, quick, easy and safe way to sterilise bottles and teats. Buy one that comfortably fits your bottles, and remember to insert the bottles and teats with their openings pointing downwards so that they can be properly sterilised.

3. MICROWAVE STERILISER

It’s cheaper than a steam steriliser and just as quick. Again, ensure the bottles and teats’ openings point downwards to ensure proper sterilisation. Never place any metal equipment in the microwave.

4. STERILISING AGENTS

Chemical sterilisers like Milton also work quickly, and the baby equipment can remain in the solution for 24 hours. Buy a small sterilisation bucket in which your bottles will fit, with a ring floating on top to keep the bottles and teats under the surface of the water solution. Don’t rinse after sterilisation.

5. DISHWASHER

You can sterilise baby bottles in the dishwasher if it reaches a water temperature of more than 82°C.

STEP 4

Leave your baby’s equipment in the steriliser if you won’t be using it immediately. Bottles or equipment that stand in a cupboard or drying rack for too long are at risk of becoming infected again. If you leave the equipment in the steriliser or solution it remains germfree. Also make sure your hands and the surface where you pour the milk are clean. YB