Do you need a sterilizer?
Maybe not. CDC says to sanitize feeding items at least once a day if your baby is under 2 months old, was born early, or has a weakened immune system. For older, healthy babies, careful cleaning after every feed may be enough. A sterilizer is just one way to sanitize:
| Method | What CDC says |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher | A hot-water wash with a heated drying or sanitizing setting needs no separate step |
| Boiling | Cover the parts with water and boil for 5 minutes |
| Steam | A microwave or plug-in steam sterilizer, following the maker’s instructions |
So the case for a sterilizer is convenience: a fixed cycle, dry bottles, and somewhere clean to store them.
Steam or UV?
We chose steam sterilizers only. CDC’s sanitizing guidance lists boiling, steam and a bleach soak, but not UV. The leading UV sterilizer we checked didn’t name a test or standard for its germ claim, and the FDA has warned that some handheld UV devices give off unsafe levels of radiation.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I sanitize bottles?
Clean them after every feed. For babies under 2 months, born early or with weakened immune systems, CDC recommends sanitizing at least once a day.
Can I just use the dishwasher?
Yes, if it uses hot water and a heated drying or sanitizing setting; then CDC says no separate sanitizing step is needed. The AAP agrees. Check each bottle maker’s instructions first.
Do sterilizers really kill 99.9% of germs?
That’s what the makers claim. Philips names the seven organisms it tested; the others don’t say what was tested. None of the four says a regulator has cleared the claim.