With steam sterilising, water is added to the sterilising unit which then boils to create steam that kills the bacteria. I wash the bottles and let them air dry and then put them in there dry for three minutes and it's done! They stand up well by themselves, seal easily even on repeated use, and have a wide opening for awkward items or larger bottles.

The NHS recommends that you sterilise all bottles and feeding equipment for the first 12 months of your baby’s life. All you need to do is fill the bags with feeding items and water, pop them in the microwave and you’re good to go. Some have two tiers, while others are combination sterilisers suitable for both microwave and cold-water sterilising. If you’re planning on expressing breast milk, combination feeding or using a dummy during your baby’s first year, you’ll need to sterilise all the relevant baby equipment after every use. Microwave, travel and cold water sterilisers can be cleaned with hot soapy water as needed, and many can also go in the dishwasher (check the manufacturer’s instructions first).You don't need to faff around with any chemicals or rinsing with a microwave steriliser and many will keep items sterilised for up to 24 hours if you do not remove the lid (always check the fine print of your make and model). Cold water sterilising is a great option when travelling as it eliminates the need for electricity and can be used for feeding accessories and bottles, as well as toys. She has also had essays and poetry published in Huff Post, Fourth Trimester Magazine and Dear Damsels. While all reviews must be subjective to a degree, we believe that the best way to judge one product against another is for a single tester to use them all in their own kitchen, in real-life circumstances and over some time.

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. If your budget is a little tight and your sterilising needs aren’t too heavy, these reusable microwave bags from Medela are reliable, compact and surprisingly good value for money. To use, simply wash your bottles, dummies and so on beforehand, put them in the solution, wait 15 minutes and you’re good to go. Our tester also didn’t like its short cable, which limits where it can be placed in the kitchen, and that it arrived wrapped in a lot of unnecessary plastic. If you're looking to keep your baby's bottles sterilised when out and about or have limited storage at home, meaning you can't have a full baby steriliser, microwave steriliser bags are a fantastic solution for cleaning feeding equipment or items that are often in your little one's mouth.If budget is a concern, cold-water or microwave sterilisation systems tend to be more economical, yet still very effective solutions. Before feeding, you need to make sure that all bottles and feeding equipment are adequately sterilised.

Before you start using your new microwave steriliser bags, check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you're adding the correct amount of water. Below, we offer tips on how to choose the best steriliser for your family and then read on to discover our pick of some of the best baby sterilisers available. This type of steriliser uses cold water mixed with non-toxic chemicals, usually in tablet or liquid form. You can get one out of the box, put the required amount of water in the bottom and you’re good to go. To remove the water, hold the bag in the cool area as indicated and pour the water away from you into the sink.

This unit is one of the most advanced on the market, and a typical clean and dry cycle takes around 30 minutes. However, be mindful that sanitising them in this way is never a substitute for sterilisation, as not all germs are eliminated. Our tester, Maisie, found that the seal remained firm throughout all 20 uses – the bag didn't leak hot water or burn fingers.