Philips Avent Advanced Bottle Steriliser, Kills 99.9% of Germs*, 10 min Sterilising Cycle - SCF291/01

Product Information

There are four main sterilisation units on the market: cold water sterilisers, microwave sterilisers, electric sterilisers and travel sterilisers. They all have their own pros and cons. 1. Cold water steriliser

To select the best bottle sterilizers, we spoke with Tomomi Hayashi, MD, a California-based board-certified pediatrician, and Arunima Agarwal, MD, a New York-based board-certified pediatrician to find out what to look for in a bottle sterilizer and the benefits of bottle sterilization. We also reviewed guidance from the AAP, the CDC, and Texas Children's Hospital, on why it’s important to sterilize baby bottles. Moreover, we also put 20 bottle warmers, including some bottle warmer and sterilizer combos, through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City with the help of Ebony Barrett, PNP. Guidance from the NHS recommends sterilising for at least the first 12 months. After your baby's first birthday, you can start phasing our sterilising as their immune system will be strong enough. However, it's important to continue cleaning all bottles, dummies and other feeding equipment thoroughly even after you've said goodbye to the sterilising tablets. What are the different types of steriliser? While they tend to take longer to sterilise things than a steam steriliser, the advantage of a UV steriliser is that you don't have to contend with equipment that's hot to the touch after sterilisation, making them a safer option for most households. You also won't need to do any descaling after use. What makes a steriliser safe? The type of steriliser that’s right for you will depend on your baby’s routine as well as your environment, so it’s perfectly alright to wait till after the birth – maybe buying a box of sterilisation bags as an interim measure – and assess your sterilising needs in the days and weeks afterwards.

3. Best cold water steriliser: Milton Cold Water Steriliser

With no need for steam, tablets or a microwave, this innovative UV steriliser from Nuby is a game-changer. While it looks a bit like a big makeup bag, the steriliser blasts bottles and dummies with ultra violet light, killing 99.9% of germs in just 3 minutes.

Can only sterilise two bottles per cycle – so if you’re getting through more than four bottles a day it’s fairly labour-intensive

What should I use a steriliser for?

The caveat is that you’ll need a microwave to use them, which might not always be available – and, more importantly, sterilising just two bottles at a time won’t be feasible if you’re bottle-feeding full-time. Consider how many bottles or other pieces you want (or need) to sterilize simultaneously. Because bottle sterilizers come in varying sizes, they don’t always hold the same amount of items. For example, if you’re the parent or caregiver of twins, opt for a large bottle sterilizer, like the Papablic Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer, which fits up to 11 bottles and accessories, such as pacifiers, plastic toys, and teethers. Even if you don’t have twins, a bigger bottle sterilizer accommodates enough bottles for a day of feeding, breast pump parts, and more. On the other hand, some units only hold one bottle, such as the BÉABA BabyMilk 3-in-1 Bottle Warmer, so you can sterilize as you go (and save counter space).

I find the nuby natural touch steam steriliser really good - it dries the bottles too. It is tall and fits lots of different shaped bottles and other bits!" Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Sjh84 Our verdict Usually, they’re of a size that isn’t truly portable, however, and you still might find it inconvenient to find the cupboard space or take it with you to a grandparent’s house. Some of the larger models might not fit inside more compact modern microwaves either.

Not the most budget-friendly electric steriliser we tested, and a more expensive initial outlay than microwave or travel versions Items inside stay sterile for 24 hours and the lid is designed with a flat lip so it can be laid horizontally in a smaller microwave – a useful feature we didn’t find in any other travel steriliser. To descale, you’ll need descaling solution which you can easily buy in supermarkets – though most brands now give instructions for an eco-friendly version using vinegar. Pour in the solution over the heating plate and leave to soak for between 30 minutes and 24 hours, depending on the extent of the limescale. Pour out, rinse with cool water, wipe with a damp cloth, then run an empty cycle before using the steriliser as normal. Babies still need feeding on holiday (who knew?) so travel sterilisers are designed to provide a portable solution that works on the go.

Capacity: Six bottles, plus breast pump parts | Materials: Plastic | Included: Container and weighted grid Good for parents who Have multiple babies, use a lot of bottles per day or want to sterilise a variety of items including breast pumps, toys and dummies If you’re bottle-feeding or expressing full-time, you’re likely to get through a large pile of equipment in a 24-hour period and you don’t want to spend all of it refilling the steriliser.I have the Nuby UV one and I love it. I wash the bottles and let them air dry and then put them in there dry for three minutes and it's done! If you're formula feeding Nuby had a sale on their UV steriliser and Rapidcool (can make milk to NHS recommendations and they be cool in 3/4 minutes) bundle." Loved by Mumsnetter Grace185 Our verdict By the time they’re a year old, your baby’s immune system is much better developed so you can ease off sterilising toys and dummies then. They are essentially a large, round, plastic box with a screw-on lid, usually with an internal basket to hold the bottles. Water is poured into the bottom (under the basket) and in the microwave it boils to create steam. To find the best bottle sterilizers, we spoke with Tomomi Hayashi, MD, and Arunima Agarwal, MD, about what to look for in bottle sterilizers, warmers, and dryers. Moreover, reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Texas Children’s Hospital, and the CDC on the importance of sterilizing bottles. With this guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated bottle sterilizers on the market and considered their design, safety features, and value. We then narrowed our list to 20 bottle warmers, including some bottle warmer and sterilizer combos, and put them through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City with the help of Ebony Barrett, PNP. I recommend Mam bottles, so easy to sterilise in the microwave!" Recommended by Mumsnetter Isababybel