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Mom of a 2 yr 3 m old girl
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Sterilising Baby Bottle - Methods & Important Safety Tips
Pregnancy and childbirth is an experience that weaves agony and ecstasy together. Suddenly, you find yourself in charge of a tiny, vulnerable little human being whom you protected until now in your womb. Now, exposed to the outer world, they are vulnerable to many things! Your baby’s immune system develops slowly and needs to be protected from any bacterium and other harmful substances that enter his body.
Reasons to Sterilise Baby Bottles
Babies are vulnerable to the outer environment from the moment they make their entry into this world. Below are some of the reasons that will tell you why you need to sterilise the baby bottles:
Harmful microorganisms are deposited on the bottle. Entry of these bacteria and viruses in your baby's body can result in vomiting and diarrhoea in your baby. Hence, it is necessary to sterilise bottles before feeding them.
When a child is born, his store of antibodies is limited to those that have been passed on from his mother during the last three months of pregnancy. This protection wanes in the first few months of his life.
The water that you get at home may be contaminated and contain disease-causing microbes. So, you should sterilise bottles without forgetting.
It is crucial that utmost care is taken of what goes into their mouth, as the mouth is the primary entry point to the body. Sterilisation helps kill these microbes and cleans your bottle thoroughly.
How Often to Sterilise Baby Bottles?
While everyone agrees that sterilisation is important, experts have the different opinion on how often this needs to be done. Child care experts are divided into two schools of thought on this matter.
Only Once: According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, you simply need to wash the baby bottle with hot water and soap once after every feed, and it doesn’t need to be sterilised constantly. The rationale behind this suggestion is, the water and silverware that are clean enough for you to drink and eat from, is just as suitable for the baby.
Weekly Wash: Some doctors feel the bottles just once is not a safe practice. Matters regarding the health of your precious little treasure cannot be taken lightly. Sterilisation does not inhibit the growth of your baby's immune system and can help prevent your child from contracting life-threatening diseases.
How to Sterilise Baby Bottles?
Sterilisation is the process of killing microbes that may be clinging to the surface of the bottles, lids, teats, pacifiers, etc. Sterilisation can be done through methods like boiling, steaming, or even putting the bottle in a microwave. All the methods above are equally effective, and you can choose your mode of sterilisation based on personal preference and availability.
[Also Read: Effective Ways to Sterlize Baby Bottle]
Methods of Sterilising Baby Bottles
Some of the methods used to sterilise baby bottles include:
Boiling: Boiling baby bottles is the most common method of sterilisation used all across the world. It is also the easiest method and by doing so you can store breast milk and even formula in a bottle. But, you should clean the bottle first. To sterilise a bottle by boiling follow these steps:
First, wash the bottles, lids, and nipples you are going to sterilise with normal dishwashing soap.
Place them in a large saucepan filled with ample water so that all equipment get fully immersed. Also, it should not have air bubbles.
Once the water is brought to a boil, keep it rapidly boiling for five minutes. Then, turn off the gas and allow the water to cool down naturally.
If you are feeding right away, clean your hands and the kitchen surface where you will prepare the bottle, and then take out the bottle. Do not use a cloth to wipe the sterilised items dry as contaminants will pass from the cloth to the bottle. Just shake the bottle to get rid of dripping water.
If you are not feeding right away, put all the sterilised equipment in a clean, dry container, and place the container in a refrigerator.
2. Chemical Sterilisation: There are sterilisation chemicals that you can buy especially for sterilising baby feeding equipment. These chemicals are mixed with water in specific ratios to make a sterilising solution. Chemical sterilisation uses room temperature water and hence is safer for the nipple/teats, which may disintegrate if exposed to high temperature for long periods of time. However, you should check manufacturer’s instructions for the confirmation of heat withstanding ability. Following is the process of chemical sterilisation:
When making the solution, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, especially, with regard to the ratio of chemicals to the water.
Just as with the boiling procedure, your equipment needs to be fully immersed in the solution with no air bubbles caught in them.
The minimum amount of time the equipment needs to stay in the solution will be specified in the manufacturer’s instructions (usually half an hour). If you are not feeding straight away, then let it remain in the solution until you use it.
Before using the equipment, shake off the dripping water, and allow it to dry naturally. Again, do not use a dishcloth or napkin to wipe it dry, as that may contaminate your sterilised equipment.
Before using this method of sterilisation, clean the large container, your bottle, teats, etc with hot water and soap.
3. Steam Steriliser: Several manufacturers sell steam sterilisers for baby feeding equipment. Similar to boiling, the process uses heat to kill harmful microbes. This option is suitable for parents living in urban apartments, and for those who do not use gas stoves. Steam sterilisers can be plugged in and operated with electricity! This is how you should use steam sterilisers:
Clean the bottles, caps, teats, etc with hot water and soap before the sterilisation process.
When placing them in the steriliser, make sure to face the openings of the containers downward, to allow maximum exposure of steam onto the inner surface.
Instruction regarding the amount of water that needs to be put into the machine will be provided by the manufacturer. The machine will turn off on its own after the steaming process.
You can leave the equipment inside the steriliser until you need to use it. But, check the instructions about the time they can be left in the steriliser without having to re-sterilise it.
4. Microwave: Using the microwave to sterilise your baby feeding equipment works on the same principle as the steam steriliser. However, the inside of the microwave should be extremely clean, which is almost impossible for microwaves that are in regular use to heat household food. To sterilise in a microwave, follow these instructions:
Fill half of the baby bottle with water and in a separate glass bowl of water, submerge the nipples, rings, and other accessories. Place them in the microwave.
Now, microwave on high setting for one and a half minutes.
Keep them inside until they are sufficiently cool enough to be picked up for use.
Do's to Sterilise Bottle for Your Child
Sterilising baby bottles is not a daunting task. Almost, anyone can do it. But, there are certain points you should remember before you go for it:
Make sure your baby bottle and accessories are thoroughly washed in clean water, with soap, before the sterilisation process.
Wash and disinfect your hands and the counter on which the bottle will be prepared.
Avoid wiping them down with towels or napkins unless the towel is disinfected itself.
It is best to leave the sterilised equipment in the sterilising machine or water until required for use. If sterilised in boiling water, then keep the saucepan shut.
If you are not going to use the sterilised equipment for a longer amount of time (over 15 to 24 hours), then it is best to keep them on a disinfected surface till dry, put on the nipple and cap and then store it inside another container, in the fridge.
Safety Tips
Take a note of these safety tips while sterilising bottles:
Avoid accidents by keeping your baby or other children in the house away from the boiling saucepan and the steamer being used for the sterilisation. Steam has heat trapped in the form of latent energy making is more destructive than boiling water.
Be sure to read specifications on the nipple. As these are made of pliable material, their ability to withstand the heat of sterilisation may be lower than that of your bottle. Too much of heat can disintegrate the nipple.
Always buy toxin-free plastic bottles, free of BPA and other chemicals that are known to seep into the food causing hormonal imbalance.
Glass bottle lasts longer and is much safer to sterilise with heat than plastic bottles. However, they need to be replaced at the slightest indication of cracking.
If your baby does not agree with a certain bottle and nipple, it may be best to replace them. Constant wear may also lead to the faster discharge of milk from the worn nipple.
When to Stop Sterilising Baby Bottles?
Feeding equipment needs to be sterilised on a weekly basis. If your water supply is contaminated, this can be switched to once in two or three days. Sterilising needs to be done regularly until your child is 12 months old. After that, the practice could be relaxed or even stopped completely depending on your child’s health and the environment.
Sterilising your baby’s feeding bottles and accessories is necessary. However, this counter-measure against harmful bacteria needn’t keep you up at night. But then again new parents will find sound uninterrupted sleep hard to come by, as most of you will have heard or even experienced already! With proper scheduling, proper equipment, and a systematic approach, you will do it without missing a beat!
Also Read: Tips For Bottle Feeding Your Newborn Read more
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Encouraging your Child to Become a Nature Lover
Nature nourishes the body and nurtures the soul. It’s in the folds of nature, a child should learn his first lessons. Yet in these days of play stations and increasing screen time, children are losing touch with the bounties of nature. We share some tips about making your child a nature-loving individual.
Are you worried that your child is spending too much time indoors- surfing channels and playing video games? Would you love to see him go outdoors instead and spend some time soaking in the sunshine or chasing butterflies? Would you like him to know the names of various little birds that fly across the sky? Do you often wistfully dream of pointing to him the stars, moon and the various clouds? Do you wish to see his face light up with joy as he catches a rainbow after the first rains? Most of the children have not witnessed a just born calf prancing joyfully in the green fields; nor are they familiar with the melodious song of the nightingale.
Hence hold your child’s hand today and bond with him under open, inviting skies. As your child embraces nature and begins to witness its many miracles, you would find him turn into a more compassionate, kinder and sensitive individual.
Ways to Encourage Your Child
Here are some ways in which you make your child embrace nature and its glorious ways:
1. Let Your Child Witness The Changes in Nature
Go on a hiking trip with your child to a farm or a sanctuary every season and let him witness how the colors of leaves and branches change with spring, autumn, winter and summer. Put up the pictures in his room or on the refrigerator. Encourage him to make seasonal greeting cards with those pictures to send it across to his friends.
2. Witness The Miracle of Birth
Your child still faithfully carries around the belief that storks deliver babies. How about dispelling this myth a little bit and make him aware of birds and bees? Call your local farmer to know if there are any pregnant cows or goats around. Take your child to the farm and show him the “Mommy” goat. Tell him there’s baby waiting to come out. Take him again after the birth and show him a little kid. This will increase his awareness of biological rhythms and fill his mind with questions.
3. Plant Trees
Bring a young sapling for your child and let him plant it. Let the tree be his pride. Show him how over a period of time, the tree starts developing slender branches, blossoms and fruits.
4. Camping and Star Gazing
A back yard is all that is needed for camping and a spot of star gazing! No expensive trips and elaborate planning is required to take your child into the lap of nature. Camp a night in your backyard and your little one will know how it becomes cold during nights and what it is to be woken by birds. Show him the dew on leaves and the paw prints of chipmunk.
5. Cloud Watching and Weather Foretelling
Nothing is more calming than lying down on the soft grass on a clear day and watch the clouds pass by. You and your child might have loads of fun deciphering various shapes of clouds or you can teach him about high clouds, low clouds, and rain clouds. Before long your child would be able to predict weather just looking at the clouds.
Being a nature-lover is not only invigorating for a soul, but it’s also the need of time today when the living-beings are confronted with the threats of global warming and natural calamities. It’s high time to extend some gratification to the mother nature, if we want our future generations to survive. Read more
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Review Of The Latest Shower Cap - BabyHug Baby Shower Cap Pink
As a mother I always try to make every activity as a fun one for my little angel. Be it playing, brushing or any self care daily activity I strongly believe your child should feel it's a fun time and not a daily task to complete. When I saw my neice throwing tantrums for taking shower I knew there was something that she was not feeling comfortable about. I learnt that she was not happy with head wash as the feeling of water dripping on face made the little one uncomfortable and a fear of water was soon visible on her face. Thankfully when I was a blessed with a baby I knew how to never let my baby feel fear for water and thankfully I had an amazing shower cap to my rescue. It's not an ordinary cap, as it comes from a brand like Babyhug. This shower cap by Babyhug is very useful as it is adjustable and multipurpose. I use this cap for my little one during bath time so that water doesn't drips on her face while doing head wash and infact now bath time is fun time as she enjoys the rainfall effect that happens when water is poured on head.
Babyhug's baby shower cap - Pink is very compact and can be used both by babies and toddlers till 5 years of age.
*This cap is non toxic and eco friendly.
*EVA material
*Multipurpose use- can be used for bathing, haircuts and as a sun cap.
*Soft and comfortable for the baby
*Adjustable size
My overall take on babyhug's shower cap -pink is that this cap is a Multipurpose cap, I can use it as a bathing cap, sun cap and as an hair accessory for my little one. I liked it's design which made sure that the baby is comfortable and feels light due to it being foam based. The only suggestion is to get a discount on this cap by Babyhug for my future purchase. I would definitely recommend it to all the mother's irrespective of what so ever age group your child is, this cap is a must have for bath time to make bathing a fun time.
As parents we always want what's best for our little bundle of joy and therefore, BabyHug accompanies you in this beautiful journey of Parenting by offering you a wide range of diapering, bath and skin care products along with an amazing line of fashion.
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Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
13 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
8 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
27 mins ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
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