More than two hundred years ago, European mothers began to use nipples and soothers to soothe babies. Disputes about the benefits and dangers of this device do not subside. What different experts of all stripes say, to make parents abandon this convenient means of feeding and lulling the baby. But the nipples are still used.
Processing and storage
The only danger that can await children and parents using them is the possibility of catching an infection due to improper handling. Continuous treatment of the nipple will help to easily avoid this problem. Before the advent of electrical appliances, parents simply boiled them. Now there are enough ways to sterilize nipples for newborn babies.
In order to always find clean at hand, you need to have 3-4 in stock. To store sterile items, you can prepare an ordinary glass jar with a lid. How often sterilization is required depends on how many nipples are available and how often the baby uses them.
Kinds
What are the nipples and soothers?
- Latex. Very soft and comfortable fixtures. With constant sterilization, the latex breaks down and becomes unusable. Must be changed every 2 weeks.
- Silicone Pretty strong nipples that are not subject to deformation when sucking. They have no odors. The use of these nipples is recommended before the appearance of the first teeth. The material is easily bitten by babies, and pieces can fall into the throat. They will have to be changed approximately once a month.
Boiling water and steam
There are many ways to sterilize nipples. The oldest and most proven treatment option, of course, is boiling water.
Pour 200-300 grams of water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Put the papilla or dummy necessary for sterilization in boiling water and hold for 5 minutes. Do not disassemble the dummy. Plastic parts also need processing.
How to sterilize teats and bottles with steam? This method takes a minimum of time. It is enough for 1-2 minutes to hold the nipple over a stream of steam from the kettle - and you can give it to the child.
If you need to process several pacifiers or bottles at once, then it is convenient to use an ordinary double boiler or pan, closed with a colander.
Pour water into a double boiler. Place the bottles with the neck down. Heat the water to a boil and keep the cookware on fire for 5 minutes.
Steam cooker and dishwasher
How to sterilize nipples in an electric double boiler? This kitchen gadget is most convenient for sterilizing nipples and bottles. The timer, which is equipped with the device, allows you not to waste time tracking the condition of the nipple.
An electric steam boiler brings the water to a state of steam in about 5 minutes. As much is needed to process accessories to a state of sterility. Having such a double boiler on hand, just turn it on for 10 minutes and use clean bottles and nipples until it runs out.
Can nipples be sterilized in the dishwasher? If the device is equipped with a mode with a temperature above 80 degrees, then you can use the machine to help mothers. Otherwise, the nipples will simply be washed, but sterilization will not occur.
Microwave
Do I need to sterilize the nipple in the microwave? If the recommendations for use do not indicate the possibility of using a microwave oven, then it is better not to do this. Plastic bottles and latex nipples can quickly become unusable.
You can use the microwave only to sterilize glass bottles for drinking and feeding.
The dishes should be put in the oven, pour water on a third of the volume. Then you need to set the maximum power. Sterilization time - 2 minutes. Drain the water and allow the bottle to cool to avoid cracking the glass.
Sterilizer use
How to sterilize baby nipples? Recently, special devices for processing children's dishes have appeared on sale. The device is convenient and affordable. Some models only sterilize the nipple. But there are multivariates in which you can process different children's dishes. It is difficult to say whether it is worth spending money on this device. Most parents have no problem how to sterilize the nipple, and without this fashionable gadget.
Antiseptics
For urgent cases when a clean nipple is needed and sterilization is not available under normal conditions, special antiseptics are used. This is a pharmacy drug that needs to be diluted in cold water. This method causes a lot of controversy.
An antiseptic tablet is diluted according to the instructions. The pacifier must be placed in the solution for 30 minutes. The need for rinsing reduces sterility. And although the drugs are harmless, the child may refuse the nipples processed in this way. In addition, the chemical composition of an antiseptic can cause allergic reactions in children.
When asked whether to sterilize the nipple, doctors unequivocally give an affirmative answer. Despite the fact that this business is troublesome, sterilization will protect the baby from many health problems.
Tips
In no case should you give your baby a pacifier that is simply rinsed with clean water. Even the use of bottled water can cause a baby’s gastrointestinal upset. The delicate body of the child is not able to fight with all the microorganisms contained in raw water.
It is absolutely unacceptable to give the baby a dropped dummy, just wiping it with a handkerchief, for example.
Some mothers manage to put a nipple in the baby’s mouth, licking it. Bacteria that are contained in saliva will surely reach the baby. The microflora of an adult can be dangerous for a newborn.
Processing dishes before sterilization
Every housewife knows how to wash the dishes. But for children's dishes, do not use ordinary detergents. The composition of such fluids can be dangerous for the baby. Some ingredients can cause allergic reactions that are extremely undesirable for a child.
Baby things, whether it is diapers or dishes, must be handled with special tools. Although they are not suitable for every kid.
Old proven products are absolutely safe for use: laundry soap, soda and mustard powder. These agents are hypoallergenic and help achieve results.
However, it must be remembered that soda can destroy latex. Therefore, using it to wash the nipple is undesirable.
The rules that should be followed when processing children's dishes and nipples:
- Rinse all parts of the dummy thoroughly.
- If white plaque appears inside the latex spray can, the nipple is unsuitable for use.
- Bitten and cracked accessories should not be given to the baby.
- Rinse milk bottles to shine. After washing, wipe with salt and rinse with clean water.
- Be sure to sterilize all dishes and nipples.
- Do not use chemicals for washing dishes and nipples.
