Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer for Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, Cups and More (model SCF281/02)

Product Information

Electric sterilisers sold in the EU should have the CE marking somewhere on the box or instructions. This indicates that the steriliser complies with relevant EU legislation on health, safety and environment standards. Fans say that the Baby Brezza One Step is ridiculously easy to use, an important quality for tired new parents. "I did the boiling pot sterilizing for the first two weeks, but I was doing combo-feeding (pumping and formula) and it just became too much," says Melissa Bykofsky, Everyday Health's Executive Editor, Editorial Strategy & Growth. "I ran this sterilizer two to three times a day at the beginning and it just made everything so much easier. It gave me peace of mind knowing everything was sterilized and I didn't have a hot pot boiling in my sleep-deprived state."

Like any electric steriliser, it attracts limescale on its heating plate so will need regular descaling. Our tester also didn’t like its short cable, which limits where it can be placed in the kitchen, and that it arrived wrapped in a lot of unnecessary plastic. I’ve always opted for a microwave one. Very easy, no faff. We use avent bottles do have the avent microwave steriliser." Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Moominmiss Our verdict 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. The instructions included are quite text heavy, but do include some illustrations and are relatively easy to understand. Teat tongs are included for lifting out objects after each cycle.When your child's outgrown the bottle stage, this device works well to heat up baby food jars on the go, too.

Guidance from the NHS recommends sterilising for at least the first 12 months. After your baby's first birthday, you can start phasing our sterilising as their immune system will be strong enough. However, it's important to continue cleaning all bottles, dummies and other feeding equipment thoroughly even after you've said goodbye to the sterilising tablets. What are the different types of steriliser? Dr Browns every time - baby never had wind issues a friend of mine who fosters babies recommended them and we have never had an issue. We also used the Dr Browns steriliser."Tried and tested by Mumsnet user mommybear1 Our verdict As we aged out of sterilizing, we still valued the dryer. In 30 minutes, bottles would go from dripping water to dry, which helped when we needed to prep for the next feeding," says Bykofsky. "Pump parts fit in too, which was a godsend when I forgot to wash a pump part and had 30 minutes until the next session. We still run the dryer every night with toddler cups."She investigated best practice safety recommendations from the NHS and sourced expert advice from Kate Bennett, a midwife of nine years and course teacher with antenatal education provider, New Life Classes. To descale, you’ll need descaling solution which you can easily buy in supermarkets – though most brands now give instructions for an eco-friendly version using vinegar. Pour in the solution over the heating plate and leave to soak for between 30 minutes and 24 hours, depending on the extent of the limescale. Pour out, rinse with cool water, wipe with a damp cloth, then run an empty cycle before using the steriliser as normal. During the first year of a baby's life, parents have a lot to worry about, not the least of which is that a baby's immune system is the most fragile at this time. Camille Sabella, M.D., Director of the Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, states that “an infant’s immune system doesn’t mature until around 2 to 3 months.” While there's not much one can do to avoid exposure to household germs altogether, there certainly are steps to take to help ensure they are bacteria-free. Enter the bottle sterilizer – these nifty gadgets make it easy to sanitize (99.9%) bottles, nipples, toys, pump parts, and anything the baby may put into their mouth (which is, like, everything.) I recommend Mam bottles, so easy to sterilise in the microwave!" Recommended by Mumsnetter Isababybel Cold water sterilisers involve filling a container with water and adding sterilisation tablets or fluid to make a sterilisation solution. The active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a mild bleach that has been through a purification process to make it stable and non-toxic. It’s perfectly safe to use, but does smell vaguely of swimming pool.

Other parents appreciate that the Baby Brezza has a large capacity, with enough room for six bottles. The orange prongs that hold bottles are well-spaced so you can hang anything on them, including pump parts or sippy cups. You can also nestle larger items in between them, which increases the multifunctionality of this machine.It's been Mumsnet's mission to make parents' lives easier for over 20 years, so we know how much difference choosing the right product can make. That's why we obsessively research, review and vet everything we recommend - from the best breast pumps to the best changing bags. While it is a personal choice for your family, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends sterilizing bottles and parts once a day, especially for babies younger than three months, born prematurely, or have a weakened immune system. Although not mandatory, it is recommended to always sterilize new bottles before using them and if your doctor has recommended sterilizing bottles between feedings, you might like the convenience of being able to load and run a sterilizer without needing to boil water every time, especially if you have multiple babies. Compatibility: Some bottles are wider or longer than others, or have a unique shape. Make sure sterilizers work with yours.

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.

4. Best microwave steriliser: Philips Avent Microwave Steam Steriliser

Capacity: Four bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastic | Included: Sterilisation unit, bottle/food warming unit, two 160ml MAM Anti-Colic bottles, two 0-2 month dummies, and teat tongs Good for parents who You'll follow the instructions on the model you choose, but the CDC lays out the basic method for using a steam sterilizer: Not the most budget-friendly electric steriliser we tested, and a more expensive initial outlay than microwave or travel versions I absolutely love my Avent microwave sterilizer! It's so amazing and fast. I use it every morning to sterilize my pump and bottles for the day."