How to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave correctly?
There are several ways to sterilize bottles in the microwave. The easiest option is to put them in a container, fill them with sufficiently hot water, turn on the oven for 2-3 minutes and then let them cool. There are other options, for example, processing in a bag or a special sterilizer. Basic methods and useful tips are described in this article.
The content of the article
Preparing containers
Before you figure out how to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave, you need to prepare them. The processing itself can be carried out in different ways, for example, in boiling water, a microwave oven or a slow cooker. But regardless of this, the preparatory stage is the same:
- First, unscrew the nipples from the lids and put them together.
- Before sterilization of bottles in the microwave begins, the containers are washed using salt or soda. You can also use a special product.
- The inner walls are wiped with a clean brush (it is better to purchase a separate tool for these purposes).
- The containers are washed with tap water 3-4 times to completely remove any remaining salt, soda or drug.
- The nipples are washed in the same way - they need to be given the greatest attention, since especially a lot of residue accumulates in the fixing rings and tabs.
- Next, it remains to figure out how to sterilize bottles for newborns in the microwave.
Processing without sterilizer
For processing, they often purchase a special container - a sterilizer. Although it is quite possible to do without it. Sterilization of bottles for newborns in the microwave is carried out in a regular plastic box. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Take a large container in which food is usually heated.
- Wash it well using a special product, soda or salt.
- Then wipe dry and place the containers (one or as many as will fit).
- Next, it’s easy to understand how to sterilize bottles in the microwave without a sterilizer. The containers need to be filled with cold water so that it covers them completely.
- Close the container all the way with a lid and place it in the microwave.
- Turn it on to maximum power. It's easy to figure out how to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave. To do this, you need to leave the oven on for only 1.5-2 minutes.
- When the cycle ends, do not immediately open the door. It is advisable to wait another 2 minutes until the dishes have cooled down a little.
- After that, they take it out and wipe it dry. This completes the sterilization of baby bottles in the microwave.
Processing in batches
There is also a method of sterilization, such as processing in special bags. This is a more convenient option since no additional container is required. You don’t need a bottle sterilizer in the microwave, which also makes the task easier. The main stages are:
- Containers for baby feeding are washed with water and salt, then simply under running water, as described above.
- Prepare hot water in advance (you can bring it to a boil and let it cool a little).
- Take bags for sterilizing bottles in the microwave and place containers there, pour hot water, and carefully fasten them.Just in case, check how tightly they are closed - turn them in different directions several times.
- There is no doubt about whether you can sterilize baby bottles in the microwave. This is a safe and convenient processing method. It is only important to do it correctly. To do this, the package is placed in a fairly large plate made of heat-resistant material.
- Place it inside and turn on the heating to maximum power. You can sterilize bottles in the microwave for 2 minutes. In this case, you should focus on the instructions for the packages - perhaps a different time will be indicated there.
- As soon as the signal sounds, you can immediately remove the plate and let the bags cool slightly. After this, drain the water and wipe the bottles thoroughly.
Now it’s clear whether bottles can be sterilized in the microwave. This is a very simple process, it only takes 2 minutes and is much faster than preparation. But it is worth keeping in mind that it is better to start processing just before feeding, so that the containers do not get dirty again.
Processing in a sterilizer
Finally, there is a way to sterilize a bottle in the microwave - using a special container. Essentially, it is a container made of heat-resistant plastic that has several holes. You can put several containers in them at once and sterilize them in 1-2 cycles. In this case, the sequence of actions is as follows:
- This time you need to rinse not only the bottles, but also the container itself (sterilizer). This is done using salt, soda or a special product.
- Rinse the containers under the tap and place the bottles in the cells of the sterilizer.
- Pour water to the indicated level. Moreover, the instructions on how to sterilize nipples in the microwave are exactly the same. They are placed in a container with water.
- Next, turn on the oven at full power for 2-3 minutes.
- Let it stand for another 10 minutes so that the water cools down, then take out the bottles, wipe them, as well as the nipples, and start feeding.
If the bottles are self-sterilizing
It's even easier to understand how to use a microwave bottle sterilizer if the containers are equipped with a self-sterilization option. Then the processing instructions are as follows:
- Rinse the bottles under the tap and rinse.
- Pour water into the nozzle.
- Insert the nipple with the lid and close the container.
- The main way to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave is exactly the same. The stove is turned on for 2 minutes, and the power should be at maximum.
- Then let the water cool slightly and drain it.
It is quite simple to process children's containers. The process takes several stages - first the bottles are prepared and then placed in the microwave for just 2-3 minutes. Then they immediately begin feeding or store the dishes in a clean container, which is put on a separate shelf in the refrigerator.