Is It Bad to Sterilize Baby Bottles in the Microwave?

As a mother, you know that the health of your baby is paramount, and you’ll do anything to keep your little bundle of joy out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, millions of bacteria and germs that we are exposed to every day could prove fatal for your tot, especially when you fail to clean and sterilize baby bottles. There are many ways to go about sterilizing, and if you choose to use your microwave, you might be asking yourself this all-important question – is it bad to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave?

No, it’s okay to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave; but, there are some disadvantages. The importance of cleaning and sterilizing baby bottles cannot be emphasized enough. Baby bottles that are not cleaned and sterilized adequately could hold immense amounts of bacteria, germs, and pathogens that will put the health of your baby at risk.

Apart from the baby’s weak immune system, it’s important to remember that, unlike other liquids, milk is especially prone to pathogenic attacks, and these harmful elements will be transferred to your baby when the bottles are not cleaned and sterilized properly.

While all efforts should be made to keep the baby bottles clean, cleaning and sterilizing other feeding equipment is equally important. Such a kit includes the bottle nipples, the collars, the lids, and the containers you use to hold the equipment. This article will look at the pros and cons of using a microwave for sterilization and suggest other sterilization methods.

Essential Considerations When Sterilizing Using the Microwave

When you sterilize your baby bottles and other feeding equipment, you aim to eliminate all bacteria and other harmful organisms. Using the microwave will help you achieve this crucial goal.

There are many benefits to using the microwave, and some of the most important include the following:

It’s Highly Effective

One of the most significant advantages of sterilizing using the microwave is that, when done correctly, it guarantees excellent results. The steam in a microwave produces adequate heat guaranteed to kill all germs and bacteria. Therefore, this sterilization method should give you peace of mind as you know that your baby will not be exposed to harmful organisms.

It’s Time-Saving

This is a reasonably quick sterilization method and, by saving your precious time, gives you enough time to attend to the needs of your little one.

Most Microwave Steamers Are Reasonably-Priced

If you’re on a budget, you’ll find that microwave steamers cost little when compared to other sterilizing equipment, and this is an important consideration when you remember all the other expenses that come with parenting.

Why It Might Not Be Such a Great Idea to Sterilize Baby Bottles in the Microwave

While the use of the microwave to sterilize has its distinct benefits, it has to be done with care to ensure that it’s both safe and effective. When done incorrectly, it could harm both the operator of the microwave and the baby. To answer the question, is it bad to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave? Below are some important caveats.

Is the Bottle BPA-Free?

Before you put your baby bottle in the microwave, you need to be certain that the bottle does contain BPA. BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an industrial chemical found in some plastic bottles and other containers. Research has shown that when a bottle that contains BPA in its composition is exposed to the heat in a microwave, some of the chemicals could leach and remain attached to the bottle. Exposure to the chemical could harm the baby’s brain and prostate glands, and you must therefore be 100% sure that all your baby bottles are free of this chemical.

Beware Of the Other Items You Put In the Microwave

You might be a busy mother and, to save your time, you might decide to sterilize your baby bottles together with other items. However, you should note that some things are not safe to put in the microwave.

If you have some metal utensils that you have decided to sterilize, it’s important to remember that the intense heat in the microwave could prove detrimental to the metal products. Not only will the heat damage the metal products, but the reacting metal could also damage the microwave or even start a fire. Before you put any object in the microwave, you need to be sure that it’s safe to do so.

Incorrect Positioning Of Bottles Might Lead To Inadequate Sterilization

Despite your best intentions, you might be surprised to discover that your sterilization efforts are inadequate because you incorrectly positioned the bottles and other items. For the sterilization to be effective, you must use the correct amount of water – when too much water is used; the sterilization will be inadequate. You could also get the positioning wrong. For effective sterilization, you must ensure that the bottle openings face downwards. To give an idea of how to use the microwave for sterilization, watch this video.

Think About How Soon You Need To Use the Sterilized Bottles

While microwave sterilization is effective, it’s important to remember that the items you sterilize might not remain so for too long.

Unlike microwave sterilization, some sterilization methods are known to stay effective for 24 hours or longer. Should you choose to use the microwave, it’s important to note that the sterilization will only last a few hours.

You Might Not Have Access to the Microwave

Even when microwaving is your chosen sterilization method, it’s crucial to remember that sometimes you might have no access to the microwave. This is especially true for mothers who are constantly on the move. For this reason, you’d do yourself a favor to explore other sterilization methods.

Alternatives to the Microwave

Should you find the use of a microwave unappealing, you are never short of options when you need to sterilize your baby bottles. That’s why you should think of alternatives such as boiling, cold sterilization using chemicals, and the use of steam sterilizers.

Conclusion

If you’re still asking yourself if it is bad to sterilize baby bottles in the microwave, my answer is that it’s perfectly good to do so. You just need to be careful to ensure that you get the sterilization right, that you do not expose yourself to danger nor expose your baby to harmful chemicals such as BPA.