What to sterilise and when to stop: from newborn to toddler

Protecting your little one from germs and bacteria is an important part of everyday care, especially when it comes to feeding equipment used day in, day out. That’s why sterilising plays such a key role throughout your baby’s first year.

Babies under 12 months don’t have the same immune systems as adults, or even children, making them more vulnerable to harmful bacteria. Sterilising their equipment helps kill any bacteria present that could otherwise help protect them from any illness, such as sickness and diarrhoea.

Knowing exactly what needs sterilising, how often to do it, and when you can stop can feel confusing for many parents. In this blog, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know from the newborn stage right through to toddlers.

0-6 months

From 0 to 6 months, this is the strictest sterilisation stage. With your little one’s immune system still developing, even the smallest amounts of bacteria left on feeding equipment can make babies poorly. This is why keeping everything clean and sterilised after each use is recommended.

Creating good sterilising habits early on can also give you extra peace of mind during those first few months.

For babies up to 6 months, it’s recommended to sterilise these everyday products:

Bottles and teats

All components need to be sterilised as even the tiniest residue of milk can be a breeding ground for bacteria. As soon as possible after a feed, we recommend washing items with a small bottle brush then rinse before sterilising.

Our sterilisers, paired with either Milton Sterilising Tablets or Milton Sterilising Fluid, are a perfect part of your cleaning routine to killing any germs.

Dummies and soothers

Babies are constantly dropping dummies, so it’s essential to sterilise them at least during the first six months. After that, it’s recommended to wash them with hot, soapy water.

Our Mini Soother Steriliser is a convenient way to keep soothers clean when you’re on the go. It cleans and sterilises soothers in just 15 minutes using Milton Sterilising Tablets.

Perfect for travel, overnight stays, and everyday outings, giving you peace of mind that your baby’s soother is always ready to use.

Breast pump parts and formula equipment

If you’re breastfeeding, you will need to sterilise all the equipment until your baby is 1 year old, as microscopic residue feeds rapid bacteria growth.

If you’re using powdered formula, that also requires strict equipment hygiene. Any storage containers, jugs and scoops all need to be thoroughly washed after use as damp scoops or jugs can cause powder to clump and allow residual bacteria to multiply in just hours.

6 to 12 months

Once your baby reaches the 6 months stage, this is more of a transitional period as their infection risk changes as they grow. They become less dependent on fully sterile milk feeds, start weening onto solid foods, and naturally encounter more germs, so their immune systems become stronger.

Bottles and cups

It’s still important to continue sterilising all bottles and teats used for formula or breast milk. This is to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria that can develop in milk residues.

Water or juice cups

Around this time, babies begin to learn how to drink from a cup or beaker. Once a drink has been finished, regular washing in hot soapy water or even the dishwasher is important. When you first introduce the cup or beaker for the first time that will need to be sterilised.

Feeding equipment

Babies generally start eating solid foods around 6 months. Although breast milk and formula are the main source of nutrition until 12 months, solids are great to introduce around this stage for them to explore different tastes and textures.

Soft bowls, plates and spoons are commonly used, so all feeding items should be cleaned thoroughly after every meal using hot soapy water or our Baby Bottle Cleaner after each use to ensure it stays clean and safe as babies are still developing their immune systems.

Our Antibacterial Surface Spray is perfect for cleaning and disinfecting any highchairs as these are guaranteed to get very messy while your baby is feeding.

Dummies and teethers

Sterilisation is less critical around this age, so frequent washing is suitable. It’s as simple as washing the dummy thoroughly with warm soapy water, rinsing it with clean water and removing any water that may have entered the teat by squeezing it.

12 months+

From around 1 year onwards, your baby is entering toddlerhood. At this stage, their immune system is much more developed as they are naturally exposed to far more everyday germs.

Routine sterilising is no longer necessary at this stage; however you should still make sure children’s water bottles are cleaned thoroughly and sterilised regularly. Thorough cleaning with hot, soapy water is typically enough for other items like cups, plates and their utensils.

This a good time to gently transition from sterilising routines to consistent everyday hygiene habits. 

When it comes to sterilisation, Milton offer a wide range of sterilising products for your baby and home, designed to protect your baby from germs. Even when sterilising is no longer needed, hygiene will always be top priority.

Explore our sterilising and hygiene ranges perfect for you and your babies.