Key points
- Clean, sanitize, and properly store infant feeding items to prevent germs from contaminating your baby's milk.
- Infant feeding items include bottles and all their parts, syringes, medicine cups, spools, and supplemental nursing systems.
- Clean items daily.
- Sanitize items for extra germ removal or daily if your baby is under 2 months old, was born premature, or has a weakened immune system.
Overview
Cleaning, sanitizing, and properly storing infant feeding items helps to prevent germs from contaminating the milk you feed your baby.
Infant feeding items include bottles and the nipples, rings, and caps that go with them. Certain bottles also may include valves or membranes.
Some infants may be fed with a syringe, medicine cup, spoon, or supplemental nursing system.
Mixing formula
The safest method of mixing formula is by shaking or swirling the formula and water inside the feeding bottle. Blenders can be difficult to clean, and blenders used to prepare infant formula have been linked to illnesses among babies. Whisks and spoons are easier to clean, but they still may increase the risk of getting germs into your baby's milk.
How to clean
How often to clean
Baby bottles
Clean baby bottles after every feeding. If your baby does not finish drinking a bottle within 2 hours, throw away the unfinished formula. Germs can grow quickly if breast milk or formula is added to a partially used bottle, or if a used bottle is only rinsed, rather than cleaned.
Infant formula containers
No studies have shown that babies have become sick from contamination on the outside of an infant formula container. Also, powdered infant formula is less likely to become contaminated if it stays dry. Avoid using liquid cleaners on infant formula containers to help prevent contaminating powdered formula inside the container.
If you want to clean the formula container, use a disinfectant wipe or paper towel sprayed with disinfectant to clean the outside of the container and lid before it is opened for the first time. Do not submerge the container or place it under running water. Wait until the surfaces are completely dry before opening the container. Do not clean the inside of the infant formula container.
Formula scoops
When powdered formula stays dry, it's less likely to get contaminated. To keep liquids away from the powdered formula, don't clean the formula scoop unless it gets dirty. If the scoop was dropped on the floor or otherwise soiled, clean it as carefully as you would your baby's bottles and allow it to air-dry completely before placing it in the formula container.
Using a dishwasher
If the item is dishwasher-safe, follow the steps below to clean feeding items using the dishwasher.
1. Take apart
Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).
2. Rinse with warm or cold water
Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water.
3. Wash
Place bottle parts and other feeding items in the dishwasher. Place small items inside a closed-top basket or mesh laundry bag so they don't end up in the dishwasher filter.
If possible, run the dishwasher using hot water and a heated drying cycle (or sanitizing setting); this can help kill more germs.
4. Remove from dishwasher
Wash your hands with soap and water before removing and storing cleaned items.
If items are not completely dry, place them on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel to air-dry thoroughly before storing in an area free of dust or dirt. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.
Cleaning by hand
Follow the steps below to clean infant feeding items by hand.
1. Wash hands
Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds.
2. Take apart
Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).
3. Rinse with warm or cold water
Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water. Do not set them in the sink.
4. Wash feeding items
Place all items in a clean basin or container used only to clean infant feeding items. Do not wash directly in the sink because it may contain germs that could contaminate these items.
Fill wash basin with hot water and add soap.
Scrub items using a clean brush that is used only to clean infant feeding items.
Squeeze water through nipple holes to be sure they get clean.
Rinse by holding items under running water, or by holding completely under fresh water in a separate basin that is used only for cleaning infant feeding items.
6. Allow to air-dry
Place bottle parts, wash basin, and bottle brush on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Allow to air dry thoroughly.
Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.
Rinse the wash basin and brush well and allow them to air dry after each use. Wash them every few days, either in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle (if they are dishwasher-safe) or by hand with soap and warm water.
If your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer), wash basin and bottle brush after every use.
How to sanitize
How often to sanitize
Sanitize bottles daily (or more often) for extra germ removal or if your baby:
- Is less than 2 months old,
- Was born prematurely, or
- Has a weakened immune system due to illness (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer).
Daily sanitizing of feeding items may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if those items are cleaned carefully after each use.
How to sanitize
Before sanitizing, make sure you have cleaned feeding items, bottle brushes, and wash basins using one of the methods above.
Sanitize all items (even the bottle brush and wash basin) by using one of the following options. Check with the item’s manufacturer about which method to use.
1. Place disassembled feeding items into a pot and cover with water.
2. Put the pot over heat and bring to a boil.
3. Boil for 5 minutes.
4. Remove items with clean tongs.
Place disassembled items in microwave or plug-in steam system and follow the manufacturer's instructions for sanitizing, cooling, and drying the items.
1. Prepare a bleach solution of 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon (16 cups) of water in a clean wash basin.
2. Put all items completely underwater. Make sure the solution touches all parts and there are no air bubbles in the bottles.
3. Squeeze solution through nipple holes.
4. Soak items in solution for at least 2 minutes.
5. Remove with clean hands or tongs. Do not rinse because germs could get back onto the sanitized items. Any remaining bleach will break down quickly as it dries and will not hurt your baby. This process is similar to what is done to sanitize dishes in restaurants.
6. After sanitizing, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Allow to air-dry thoroughly before storing. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.
Storage
Air dry
Allow the clean feeding items, bottle brushes, and wash basins to air-dry thoroughly before storing to help prevent germs and mold from growing.
Air-drying infant feeding items on a clean dish towel or paper towel is probably more hygienic than using a drying rack. Drying racks may trap moisture, allow mold and germs to grow, and be difficult to clean.
If you prefer to use a drying rack, use it to dry only your infant's feeding items. Every few days (or at least daily if your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system), be sure to wash it, sanitize it, and allow it to dry thoroughly to reduce contamination.
Put items back together
Once the items are completely dry, wash your hands well with soap and water. Put the clean, dry bottle parts back together.
Store safely
Place reassembled bottles and other feeding items, wash basin, and dry bottle brush in a clean, protected area such as inside a closed kitchen cabinet that is used only to store clean dishes.