Sterilising

The short definition

Sterilising means cleaning feeding equipment thoroughly enough to kill germs. Bottles, teats and dummies are sterilised until bub is 12 months old.

What it actually means

It is a second step, not a replacement for washing. Bottles and teats are cleaned well with a bottle or teat brush first, then sterilised.

There are three ways it is done in Australia: boiling, steaming, or cold sterilising with a chemical solution. All three are accepted. A steriliser's own instructions are the source for that steriliser.

Where Dadda will hear it

From the midwife, from the child health nurse, and on the box of everything in the feeding aisle.

Not to be confused with

Washing up. Hot soapy water and a brush is washing. It comes first and it does not sterilise anything.

Also look at

• Read the full item: bottles and sterilising
• Read the full item: dummy