Baby feeding equipment: how to clean it more safely

Why just rinsing is not enough

A systematic review of 17 studies on infant feeding equipment concluded that rinsing with water alone was consistently insufficient to remove microbial contamination. Milk and food residues can remain in joints, threads and narrow parts of the equipment.

The equipment is disassembled after each use according to the manufacturer's instructions. The parts should be washed with clean water and detergent, and the internal surfaces with a brush intended only for that equipment.

Practical order

First, wash your hands and prepare a clean surface. Take all the parts apart, wash them, rinse well and let them air dry. Wiping with a kitchen towel can reintroduce microorganisms.

• check the manufacturer's instructions before cooking or steam sterilizing
• do not use damaged, cracked or hard-to-reach parts
• keep clean and dry equipment protected from dust and contact

When to ask for individual advice

For premature babies, immunocompromised children or special medical diets, the health care team may recommend a stricter procedure. This guide does not replace the instructions of the pediatrician or the manufacturer of the equipment.

Separate washing, drying and storage

Disassemble equipment so water and detergent reach every surface that touched food or milk. Wash hands before handling clean parts and use a clean basin and brush reserved for feeding equipment. Allow items to air-dry completely after washing.

Drying with a kitchen towel can reintroduce germs. Assemble or store dry parts in a clean protected area. Regularly inspect bottles, teats, valves and pump parts, and replace anything cracked, scratched or worn.

When additional sanitising matters

Additional sanitising is particularly important for babies under two months, babies born prematurely and children with weakened immunity. Equipment must be cleaned first; sanitising does not replace removal of milk or food residue. Use a method permitted by the manufacturer.

If safe water is unavailable or equipment cannot be cleaned correctly, seek public-health or clinical guidance. Do not improvise chemical concentrations. In an emergency, ready-to-feed single-use products may reduce risk when available and appropriate for the child.

Create a clean workflow

Keep dirty parts separate from washed items and clean the work surface first. Equipment that falls onto a dirty surface should be washed again. Clean the dedicated brush and basin after use and let them dry.

Manufacturer instructions take priority for temperature, dishwasher use, steam or boiling. Some materials may be damaged by high heat, and a damaged surface is harder to clean reliably.

• clean hands
• fully disassembled parts
• air-drying
• protected storage after drying