Top 6 Tips to Consider When Buying a Steriliser

Babies have delicate immune systems and can easily fall prey to infections until they’re at least a year old. So, everything related to feeding, right from bottles, teats, sippers, and more need to be sterilised before every use. Like with all things, especially if you’re a first-time parent, we’re sure you’re second-guessing every big purchase for your baby; after all, nothing but the best (within the budget!), right? Fret not! Read on to find out why a steriliser is so essential and get some insider tips on what exactly to look for when buying the all-important steriliser for your little one.

Why is a Steriliser Important?

Warm milk is the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria and can be harmful to babies, whose immune system isn’t strong enough to prevent infections. Hence, everything that a baby requires for feeding, such as bottles, sippers, teats, breast pumps, and even utensils must be sterilised before every use to eliminate bacteria. In fact, even accessories that aren’t necessarily used for feeding but your baby may put in his mouth, such as pacifiers, toys, should be sterilised to kill any germs lurking around.

Types of Sterilisers

There are three main types of sterilisers available in the market.

1. Cold Water Sterilisers

Sterilising tablets or liquid, contain chemical agents, is put into a container with a lid, and the items are submerged in the solution for at least 15 minutes. The items inside remain sterile for up to 24 hours. However, the chemical agents may leave a peculiar taste and smell that can be unpleasant to the baby, making feeding a little harder.

2. Microwave Sterilisers

Microwave sterilisers use heat to kill bacteria, rather than chemicals. Depending on the model you purchase, the items inside remain sterile for up to 24 hours, as long as the lid remains closed. However, these cannot sterilise all equipment, especially metal items.

3. Electric Sterilisers

Electric sterilisers can simply be plugged in at the wall, and kill bacteria using steam. Again, depending on the model, the items inside remain sterile for up to 24 hours with the lid closed. These are considered the most convenient method of sterilisation, as it is safe and has the capacity to sterilise multiple items.

What to Look for When Buying a Steriliser

Here are some tips that will give you an idea on the steriliser that’s best suited for yours and your baby’s needs and how to pick the best one.

1. Capacity

Volume is based on two things; how many bottles your baby uses per day and other items that require sterilisation. Bottle-fed babies require more bottles than breast-fed babies, so you need to have a few bottles handy each day for whenever your little one needs them. The same goes for working moms who need to express milk often, in which case parts of the breast pump need to be sterilised too. Plus, if your baby uses pacifiers and has a habit of putting toys in his mouth, they could do with a quick round of sterilisation.

Take a look at your requirements and decide on the best steriliser available to you. The Philips Avent 3-in-1 Steam Steriliser is one-of-a-kind, as its modular design can accommodate 6 bottles as well a different accessories at a time. The sterilisation cycle takes as little as 6 minutes to kill 99% germs, making your sterilisation process convenient, rather than time-consuming.

2. Budget

We all know that baby products don’t always come cheap. Hence, decide on a budget beforehand, so you can narrow-down feasible sterilisers to purchase. If you’re unsure of the average price, do your research on different brands and types of sterilisers to get a fair idea on the budget. A expert tip is to may way for flexibility in your budget if you stumble on a product that meets all your other needs and seems like the perfect choice. After all, your baby’s health comes first!

3. Storage

Some sterilisers will just occupy a lot of space in your kitchen and come in the middle of anyone trying to cook or clean. Plus, once your baby no longer needs it, storing it can become a hassle. Look for a sleek model that and doesn’t take up too much room; in your kitchen and in storage! The Philips Avent 3-in-1 Steriliser can be adjusted in 3 shapes to fit easily into cupboards. Not to forget, it is compact enough to take along if you plan on travelling with your baby.

4. Compatibility

Just like adults have favourites in all things food and otherwise, your baby probably has his favourite type of bottle too, which could keep changing every week. Some sterilisers only work with particular types of bottles, which could turn into a nightmare if your baby suddenly prefers another bottle that isn’t suited to the steriliser you’ve already invested in. Instead, go for a steriliser that fits a whole range of bottles, so you can use the ones that suit your baby best, without worrying about what to do if he suddenly prefers another type of bottle. This is also essential for anti-colic bottles which are often shaped differently.

5. Cleaning

Sterilisers could just as easily become a breeding ground for germs if not thoroughly cleaned. Too many or less parts can make it confusing and difficult to clean, not to mention, take up too much precious time. So, a model that lets you clean it quickly and effectively is just what you need. The Philips Avent 3-in-1 Steam Steriliser can be efficiently cleaned without much effort or time. Its modular design takes all cleaning-hassles into consideration, so you don’t have to worry about any residue.

6. Usage

If you’re rushing to go to work or getting chores done and expressing milk and sterilising bottles at the same time, chances are your concentration on each task remains slim. Plus, you’re probably short on time. The answer is smart technology! This ensures that you can switch on the steriliser and do other things simultaneously, rest assured you won’t cause a mess or some circuit failure. Also, sterilisation cycles of less than 10 minutes mean that you’re not standing by the steriliser, waiting for it to get done.

Any item that could possibly be a pathway for your child to ingest germs should be thoroughly sterilised before each use. The above tips will guide you towards choosing the best steriliser for your baby that will keep him safe and happy!

Also Read: How to Sterlize Baby Bottles