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Inexperienced parents are interested in how to sterilize dishes for children in the microwave. Is it even possible to use this household appliance to disinfect glass bottles and what other sterilization methods are there? Let’s look at all the rules.
What is needed for sterilization
The immunity of infants is at the stage of formation, therefore, many microbes that an adult body will not pay attention to can provoke serious unrest in a child. To prevent infection from entering the stomach, objects from which children are fed and watered are sterilized.
Our grandmothers did not have newfangled sterilizers for children’s dishes and microwaves, so they limited themselves to banal boiling. This is an inconvenient and dangerous way, you have to deal with open boiling water. Today, almost no one uses boiling, this process takes too much time and resources. Moms and dads who have to regularly sterilize baby dishes have two options to choose from:
- Buy a special sterilizer for baby bottles. What is such a device for? At any time you will quickly solve the problem of disinfection.
- Sterilizing them in the microwave is a good option for those who already have these useful appliances in the kitchen. It is clear that buying a microwave oven for the sake of disinfection is irrational.
Preparation for decontamination
- To properly sterilize the feeding container, you need to unscrew the nipples from the caps.
- Disassembled bottles need to be washed. A tool that is used to wash dishes for children is suitable – “Eared nanny“. You can also wash them with salt or soda.
- A ruff with a special nozzle for the nipples will help to wash the inner walls well.
- After washing, the glass containers are washed under running water.
If there is no special brush, the nipples can be washed in another way. Pour soda into them and knead – soda should get into the holes. Then rinse the nipples well with kneading movements, you need to remove all the soda from the holes.
Useful Tips
- Discard damaged containers in a timely manner. If a crack appears on a glass container, it must be thrown away.
- When processing, use only filtered water – this prolongs the service life of the sterilized products. If you pour ordinary water, the plastic will quickly turn yellow, and the nipples will become inelastic.
- Children’s doctors say: immunity is formed by one to one and a half years. It is up to this age that one has to deal with the sterilization of children’s feeding supplies.
- Processing in the microwave oven lasts several minutes: it is better to spend a little time than to expose the child to the risk of getting an intestinal infection.
How to choose a sterilizer
For the first six months, the body does not produce antibodies, so its immunity is “built” on antibodies obtained from mother’s milk. You need to insure the child: carefully processing the dishes, you will prevent the entry of pathogenic microbes into his body. Most mothers prefer to buy a special device that simplifies the disinfection process. What is the best sterilizer? There are two processing options:
- Cold. UV radiation is used.
- Steam. The steam bath principle is used.
All sterilizing devices differ in the method of heating for electric and for laying in the microwave. There is also a universal option, but it is not common.
Work from the mains
The electrical apparatus is connected to the mains. Complete with water tank, accessories and glass containers.
Important! If you do not open the lid of the device, then all the dishes will remain sterile for another 3-6 hours.
Philips Avent bottles simplify and improve the disinfection process at the same time. There are two levels of processing:
- 1st – sterility lasts 6 hours.
- 2nd – sterility is maintained for 24 hours.
With this method, a cyclic program works that automatically starts the process. The devices are equipped with a self-diagnostic system that displays information on the screen. The user is informed about the water level, as well as the start and end of the process. Electric sterilizing devices, depending on the model, can fit up to 8 standard bottles with a narrow or up to 4 with a wide neck.
Important! It is necessary to sterilize not only dishes, but also other objects with which the child comes into contact. The main thing is that the object can withstand temperatures of 100 ° C without consequences.
How steam sterilizers work
They do not work autonomously, you need to put them in a microwave oven. They are a container into which water is poured. Not only dishes are placed here, but also any other items that can withstand high temperatures. The device is placed in the chamber and the maximum power is set on the microwave. Processing time – 10 minutes. These devices hold 4 large bottles and up to 6 standard bottles.
The main plus is the cost, it is much cheaper than the electric counterpart. Do you need such a device or not? It makes sterilization more comfortable. The steam device is inexpensive, and the effect is impeccable. One condition – you must have a microwave. Otherwise, you’re better off buying the electric option.
Disadvantage of the steam versions: you won’t be able to put metal objects into them.
The Microwave Baby Steam Sterilizer is a plastic container that, due to its compactness, fits easily into the microwave oven chamber. The container has a tight lid with holes through which steam escapes. How to sterilize in a microwave oven:
- Put the container in the container, turning the bottles upside down.
- Pour 250 g of filtered water.
- Close the lid and place the container in the microwave oven.
- How many minutes to keep objects in the chamber depends on the power of the microwave oven:
- 1,1 kW – 2 minutes;
- 0,8–1,0 kW – 4 minutes;
- 0,5-0,8 kW – 6 minutes.
After processing the bottle, you can’t take it with your bare hands, there is a chance of getting burned. This container for baby dishes is good because it keeps it sterile for a few more hours.
Other types
Universal. The universal warmer, equipped with a steamer function, can sterilize bottles and cook steamed vegetables in portions up to 150g.
Ultraviolet. Ultraviolet models are battery operated. Without water. Maximum disinfection. Processing time – 5 minutes.
Cold method. Items that require disinfection are placed in the container, filled with a special liquid and left for half an hour. Then the solution is drained through the side hole, and the items in the container remain sterile for 24 hours. The most modern devices are equipped with indicators that display information about the solution and storage time. The liquid used for sterilization is safe and harmless. Release form – tablets or liquid.
Important! Solutions often have a specific odor that may be unpleasant for the child.
Despite the disadvantages, this method is indispensable in situations where other options cannot be used. User reviews indicate that “cold” sterilizers cope with their tasks just as well.
Models overview
Parents, when choosing a suitable device, are guided by various factors: feedback from friends, rating of demand and quality, cost or their own intuition. Of the devices offered on the domestic market, I would like to note three brands. After reviewing the options offered, you will know how to choose the right device for disinfection. Consider the best brands.
Dr Brown’s
For microwave. Compatible with Dr. Brown’s. Dimensions: diameter – 30 cm, height – 17 cm. Does not contain bisphenol. Made from safe materials. The package includes:
- instruction (Russian language);
- forceps.
With this device, you can forget about burned fingers and a bad mood, disinfecting dishes turns into a simple and safe process. The processing time depends on the power of the microwave oven. Capacity – 4 bottles.
Maman LS-В701
Inexpensive device from a Chinese manufacturer. Easy disassembly and assembly. The cost is 1–000 rubles. Container for bookmarking children’s supplies. Capacity – 1 bottles. Suitable for microwave ovens with a chamber volume of 300 liters or more.
Maman LS B302
Electrical analogue from the same Chinese manufacturer. Simple design and easy use. The compact device easily fits in a bag or suitcase, it is convenient to take it with you on trips. It will come in handy wherever there is a power grid. Designed for 3 bottles.
Avent SCF281
The estimated cost is 3 rubles. Fits 600 items. Processing takes 4 minutes. The disinfection process is simplified as much as possible. The device can be taken on the road, but keep in mind that it does not work without a microwave oven.
Philips Avent “3 in 1”
Electrical analogue. The components of the device “Avent” – base, shelf, cover. The shelf has recesses for bottles, pacifiers, a breast pump and cap holders. The price is about 8 rubles. Dimensions 000x290x160 mm. Weight 350 kg. Processing 1,5 minutes. Capacity 6 standard bottles.
Plus, you can adjust the size. Minus – high price.
How to use packages
Today the market offers special packages that can be used two dozen times. This alternative method is simple and cheap, and the packages are inexpensive. The Medela package, for example, holds 3 standard bottles. Using this method, you can quickly and efficiently sterilize the container. How to use packages:
- Fold the washed container in a bag.
- Add water.
- Close the bag and put it in the microwave.
- Three minutes is enough to destroy germs and bacteria by 99%.
It is convenient that the package has markup for notes to control the number of uses.
What to choose – a device for a microwave oven or an autonomous electrical appliance? Sterilizers placed in a microwave oven are chosen because of their convenience, low cost and spaciousness: they fit much more containers than other devices. The main thing that the consumer should pay attention to is the quality and environmental friendliness of the materials used.
When buying, ask for a certificate of quality for the sterilizer. These devices need to be bought only in specialized stores or pharmacies. It is better to give preference to well-known brands and manufacturers – Dr. Brown, Philips Avent, Maman.