1. How often should baby bottles be cleaned?
Bottles should be cleaned 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.
2. How do I clean infant feeding items in the dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe)?
- Take apart. Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).
- Rinse. Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water. The water can be warm or cold.
- Wash. Place bottle parts and other feeding items in the dishwasher. (Be sure to 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.
- 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.
3. How do I clean infant feeding items by hand?
- Wash hands. Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Take apart. Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).
- Rinse. Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water. Do not set them in the sink. The water can be warm or cold.
- 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 again. 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.
- 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.
- Clean wash basin and bottle brush. 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.
4. How do I clean brushes and basins used to wash bottles?
You can clean brushes and basins in a dishwasher if they are dishwasher-safe, or wash them by hand with soap and hot water. They can be sanitized with one of the following methods: boil, steam, or soak in bleach solution if recommended by the item’s manufacturer. If you steam an item, be sure the entire item fits in the steamer.
5. Do I need to clean 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.
6. Do I need to clean infant 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.
