Dr. Brown’s Bottle Steriliser and Dryer

Product Information

For cold water sterilisers, a full container will be very heavy and should be kept away from children so they can’t pull it over onto their head. Sterilisation fluid is made from sodium hypochlorite, a mild, non-toxic bleach that decomposes into water and a small amount of salt.

We spend hours researching, speaking to parents, analysing data and listening to experts before we test out the products on our shortlist. Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle when feeding your baby. The end of the reservoir tube should be out of the liquid. Like many first-time mothers, I had no idea when I was pregnant whether breastfeeding would prove successful or how often I’d want to express or formula feed. As with every baby product, I was utterly baffled by the choice in sterilisers. Nine months on, I almost exclusively breastfeed but regularly pump and often travel, so I’ve needed different cleaning methods for varying scenarios. In addition to bottles, pump parts, pacifiers and cutlery, parents can sterilise frequently-used toys as invariably these will go into your baby’s mouth. How do I choose which is the best steriliser for me?

How do you sterilize a bottle? 

If you’re bottle-feeding full-time, however, and need something reliable that will fit in all of your gear, the Dr Brown’s Electric Steam Steriliser is a good choice. Fans appreciate that this sterilizer doesn't take up counter space. You can keep it in a cabinet or closet until it's needed. It's also easy to take with you when traveling, since many hotel rooms and most rental-by-owner facilities have microwaves. And of course, the price is friendlier than the cost of plug-in units. Parents can also sanitize bottles by boiling in a pot, or using bleach; use the CDC's instructions if that's your plan. And if you have any questions about when or whether to sanitize your baby's bottles, ask your pediatrician for guidance. Over-tightening of the collar will also create a pressure build-up. You should twist the collar enough to close.

As well as baby bottles, teats and breast pump parts, you'll also want to steriliser dummies and teething rings, ideally once a day unless they are dropped on the floor outside. It takes one touch of a button to start a cycle and, if you have any accompanying Tommee Tippee bottles, each bottle is clearly marked to show how much water to add to the steriliser – a thoughtful touch that our tester really appreciated. Capacity: Approximately six bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Steriliser and teat tongs – larger sets are also available to buy Good for parents whoIt’s best to use sterile tongs to handle teats afterwards to prevent contamination, and the majority of sterilisers come with a pair – put the tongs in with the cycle and you know they’re OK to use. The advantage of microwave sterilisers is that they’re more capacious than travel models but smaller than electric ones, so they can be stored out of sight. The length of the cycle is almost always shorter than using an electric steriliser, too, which might come in handy with a very hungry baby.

The items are sterile after a manufacturer-recommended 15-minute cycle – the NHS recommends 30 minutes – and remain so for as long as they’re in the solution. Plus, they don’t need rinsing off when they’re needed. Items can continue to be added and removed as necessary over 24 hours when the solution will need to be remade. Have the same Baby brezza and love that it dries them and they don’t sit on the counter gathering dust or anything my kids spill." Not the most budget-friendly electric steriliser we tested, and a more expensive initial outlay than microwave or travel versions Price tends to be the first deciding factor, particularly if you aren’t yet sure how often you’ll be using your steriliser. After that, it’s worth considering what your priority is: speed, ease, capacity, portability? I use the Dr. Browns bottle warmer. It works great with other bottles other than dr.browns. I also use it to thaw out breastmilk."Honestly I wanted it more for the drying function than the sterilizing function," says Karen. "I have to get everything washed after putting [my kids] to bed and have it completely dry for reassembly the next morning." Nuby’s electric steam steriliser comes with a drying function so equipment can immediately be reused without having to wait for it to cool down or dry off. Our tester loved this feature and found it very useful. I liked the tall, slimline design of this machine, which takes up less counter space than most comparable models, and the accessories tray that sits above (rather than around) the bottle grid. The tray is roomy enough for lots of pacifiers, teethers and other smaller items. The steriliser is also very light, with a nice digital interface, and comes with a handy measuring cup that takes the guesswork out of how much water to use. The NHS recommends sterilisation for the first 12 months of a baby’s life. It’s important to note that whatever method you choose to use, everything needs to be washed in hot soapy water as soon as possible following feeds, and rinsed in cold running water, prior to sterilisation. What can I use a steriliser for? Babies still need feeding on holiday (who knew?) so travel sterilisers are designed to provide a portable solution that works on the go.