So your partner isn’t breast feeding, or she’s expressing and you are expected to do the night shift, either way you are going to need a steriliser.

Why do you need to sterilise??

Basically milk is a prime breeding environment for bacteria. Small babies (up to 1 year) are actually very vulnerable to this bacteria, and through sterilising you kill the bacteria before your baby comes into contact with it.

You do not need to buy a steriliser, as you can sterilise in a pan of boiling water, the way your granny used to. In reality, however, modern sterilisers are cheap, convenient and definitely a worthwhile investment if you need to sterilise bottles, dummies etc

There are three main types of sterilisers on the market:

Steam sterilisers - These are drum shaped plastic containers. They plug into the mains and an electrical element boils a small amount of water to produce steam which is pushed up into a compartment that contains the bottles and teats. There are various makes to choose from.  They are quick, usually around 7 mins and require minimum preparation; however they are the most expensive option, and you need to watch your eyebrows if you open and it’s still full of steam!

Cold water/chemical – This method uses sterilising tablets which you add to cold water. This can be done in a purpose-built container from the manufacturer, or any non metallic container. Note: it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing the solution. This is the cheapest option and can be used anywhere as there is no need for electricity. It does however take longer to sterilise bottles and requires more preparation than other methods.

Microwave steamer – This is basically a bowl with a lid, you add a small amount of water and you put it into the microwave. This method is also cheap and convenient, but you can be limited to the amount of space for bottles due to the size limitation of microwaves.

If you go for  a steam or microwave steriliser, it is always a good idea to keep a packet of sterilising tablets in the cupboard, as you never know when there is going to be a power cut or a failure with your chosen steriliser. The last thing you need at 3am when you have a screaming baby in your arms, is no way of sterilising the bottle.