Do You Need a Bottle Sterilizer? What I Did With Two Babies

When I was building my baby registry for my first baby, a bottle sterilizer was one of those products I saw everywhere but never felt like I needed. There are already so many things marketed to new parents, and I was trying to figure out what was actually necessary versus what would just take up more space on my counter.

After two babies and a lot of bottles, I still don’t think you need a standalone bottle sterilizer. That doesn’t mean you should never sterilize bottles. There’s a difference between needing to properly clean and sanitize your baby’s feeding supplies and needing a separate appliance whose only job is sterilizing them.

Here’s what I did with both of my babies, what I do differently now that I own a bottle washer, and when sanitizing bottles may actually be recommended.

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Do You Need a Bottle Sterilizer?

My short answer is no. I don’t think a standalone bottle sterilizer is a must-have for most parents.

With my first baby, I never bought one. When we got new bottles, we sterilized them using boiling water and followed the instructions that came with the bottles. After that, I washed his bottles after every feeding.

My pediatrician told me that I didn’t need to sterilize his bottles after every use, so I didn’t feel the need to add another step to an already repetitive bottle-washing routine.

I know plenty of moms who sterilized bottles much more frequently because it made them feel more comfortable, and I completely understand that. It just wasn’t something I felt like I needed to do every time.

There are circumstances when sanitizing bottles more frequently is recommended, so your baby’s age and health matter. Always follow your pediatrician’s guidance for your specific baby.

Cleaning vs. Sanitizing Baby Bottles

This is the distinction I wish were clearer when you’re shopping for baby products.

Cleaning bottles removes milk, formula and germs using soap and water. Sanitizing is an additional step intended to reduce germs further.

The CDC recommends cleaning bottles after every feeding. It also recommends sanitizing feeding items at least daily if your baby is under 2 months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system. For older, healthy babies, daily sanitizing may not be necessary when bottles are carefully cleaned after every use.

Always talk to your pediatrician about what makes sense for your baby, especially if your baby was premature or has specific medical needs.

What I Did With My First Baby

With my first baby, I sterilized new bottles before we used them for the first time.

We did this the old-fashioned way with a big pot of boiling water. And by “we,” I mean I usually made my husband do it.

It works, but I found it annoying. You need a pot big enough for everything, you have to deal with all of the little bottle parts, and you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure everything can safely be boiled.

Once that initial sterilization was done, I primarily hand-washed his bottles. I used a separate bowl for the bottles rather than putting everything directly into the kitchen sink, along with a bottle brush and baby dish soap.

I also never put his bottles in the dishwasher. There were so many little pieces, and I preferred using the soap I had specifically for his bottles. That was purely my preference. Many bottles and bottle parts can go in the dishwasher as long as the manufacturer says they are dishwasher-safe.

What I Did Differently With My Second Baby

My second baby was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU.

When she came home, the NICU didn’t give us specific additional instructions about sterilizing her bottles, so we followed our normal cleaning routine. However, current CDC guidance recommends daily sanitizing for babies who were born prematurely, so parents of preemies should follow the recommendations of their baby’s medical team.

The biggest difference the second time around was that I was gifted a Momcozy bottle washer.

I am obsessed with it.

The bottle washer washes, sterilizes and dries the bottles in the same cycle. I typically use all three functions, although you can adjust the settings depending on what you want it to do.

So technically, I sterilize bottles far more often with my second baby than I ever did with my first. But it’s not because I suddenly decided I needed to sterilize every bottle. It’s because the machine does it for me as part of the cycle.

That convenience makes a huge difference.

Would I Buy a Standalone Bottle Sterilizer?

No.

If I didn’t have my bottle washer, I still wouldn’t buy a standalone sterilizer. I would sterilize new bottles according to their manufacturer’s instructions and use an appropriate sanitizing method whenever needed.

A standalone sterilizer would just be another appliance on my counter, and I personally wouldn’t get enough value from it.

If I were building a baby registry today, I would much rather put a bottle washer that also sanitizes and dries on my registry than register for a machine that only sterilizes.

That said, I consider a bottle washer a nice-to-have, not a must-have. You can absolutely wash bottles without one. I did it with my entire first baby.

Do You Need to Sterilize New Baby Bottles?

Personally, this is one area where I always sterilize.

Any time I bought brand-new bottles, I sterilized them before the first use according to the manufacturer’s directions. With my first baby, that meant boiling them. With my second, I can now use the sanitizing function on my bottle washer when appropriate for the product.

I would recommend checking the instructions for your specific bottles, nipples and other parts before boiling or steaming them because materials and manufacturer recommendations can vary.

How to Sanitize Baby Bottles Without a Sterilizer

You don’t need a dedicated bottle sterilizer to sanitize bottles.

Depending on the bottles and parts you’re using, there are several ways to sanitize them. The CDC includes boiling and steaming as options, as well as using a dishwasher with hot water and heated drying or a sanitizing setting for dishwasher-safe feeding items.

The most important thing is to follow the instructions for your specific bottles and feeding supplies.

This is exactly what I did before owning a bottle washer. When I wanted to sterilize new bottles, I used boiling water rather than buying another appliance.

Bottle Sterilizer vs. Bottle Washer

If I were choosing between a standalone bottle sterilizer and a bottle washer that washes, sanitizes and dries, I would choose the bottle washer every time.

I didn’t have one with my first baby, so I know firsthand that it’s not essential. But after having one with my second baby, it’s one of those conveniences I really appreciate.

After daycare, I put the dirty bottles straight into the bottle washer, run a cycle, and have clean, dry bottles ready for the evening. It takes one of those repetitive baby chores largely off my plate.

For me, that’s much more valuable than having an appliance that only handles the sanitizing step.

Should You Put a Bottle Sterilizer on Your Baby Registry?

I would skip the standalone bottle sterilizer.

If you have room in your registry and your budget, I would put a bottle washer that also sanitizes and dries on there instead. I’m obsessed with mine, but I would still categorize it as a nice-to-have rather than a true baby essential.

There are so many products you’re told you need when you have a baby. After having two babies, I’m much more interested in products that eliminate an entire chore rather than products that add one more step to the process.

My Take After Two Babies

You need a way to properly clean your baby’s bottles, and depending on your baby’s age and health, you may need to sanitize them regularly. But you don’t necessarily need a standalone bottle sterilizer to accomplish that.

With my first baby, I sterilized new bottles in boiling water and then primarily hand-washed them after each feeding. With my second, I use a bottle washer that happens to sanitize and dry them too.

If you’re trying to keep your registry from filling up with single-purpose baby gadgets, I would skip the standalone bottle sterilizer. If your budget allows and you want to make bottle washing easier, I’d put a bottle washer with a sanitizing function on the registry instead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bottle Sterilizers

Do you really need a bottle sterilizer?

You don’t necessarily need a standalone bottle sterilizing appliance. Bottles can be sanitized using other methods, including boiling, steaming or, for compatible items, a dishwasher with hot water and heated drying or a sanitizing setting. What matters is following appropriate cleaning and sanitizing guidance for your baby.

How often should you sterilize baby bottles?

The CDC recommends cleaning bottles after every feeding. It recommends daily sanitizing for extra germ removal if your baby is under 2 months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system. Always follow your pediatrician’s recommendations for your individual baby.

Do you need to sterilize bottles after every use?

Not necessarily. Cleaning and sanitizing are different steps. Bottles should be thoroughly cleaned after every feeding, while the need for additional sanitizing depends on factors including your baby’s age and health.

Can you sterilize baby bottles with boiling water?

Yes, if the bottles and parts are designed to be boiled. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first. This is how I sterilized my new bottles before I owned a bottle washer.

Is a bottle washer worth it?

For me, yes. I washed bottles by hand with my first baby and now use a bottle washer with my second. It’s absolutely a nice-to-have rather than a necessity, but I love being able to wash, sanitize and dry bottles in one cycle.

Should I put a bottle sterilizer on my registry?

I wouldn’t. I would either skip it entirely or, if your budget and registry allow, consider a bottle washer that also has sanitizing and drying functions. You’ll use the washing function constantly, which makes it much more useful to me than a standalone sterilizer.

This article shares my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. Always follow your bottle manufacturer’s instructions and your pediatrician or medical team’s recommendations for your baby’s specific needs.