Feeding safety

The importance of sterilisiation

The Department of Health and Foods Standards Agency have set guidelines on how to prepare and store your baby’s milk to reduce the risks of your baby becoming ill.

Before you start preparation, all works surfaces should be cleaned with an antibacterial cleaner and you should wash your hands. Any bottles and teats will also need to be sterilised using an appropriate steriliser or sterilising solution.

If you are feeding your baby with formula milk, The Department of Health and Foods Standard Agency recommend that you freshly make each bottle when needed. Using formula milk that has been stored in a pre-made bottle may increase the chance of your baby becoming ill.

When you are going out, you can put boiling water in a flask and make up fresh formula milk when you need it. If you need to take a made-up feed with you, make it up in the morning, cool as above, then put it in the fridge for at least one hour before putting in a cool bag with a frozen ice brick. Feeds stored in a cool bag should be used within four hours.

Before you sterilise your bottles and teats, it is important that all bottles and accessories are washed and fully rinsed with fresh water and emptied. Using a bottle brush will ensure all milk residue is removed from the bottle rims and teats.

It is also recommended that you sterilise your baby’s soothers.