How to Store Sterile Baby Bottles

Co-authored by Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN

Last Updated: February 12, 2021 References

Sterlizing baby bottles removes germs and provides your baby with a safe, clean way to get the nutrition they need. While it’s generally recommended that you use them right after they’ve been sterilized, you can safely store baby bottles and keep them sterile for up to 24 hours in a clean cabinet, a sealed container in the refrigerator, or in a sterilizer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Preparing to Store Sterile Baby Bottles

1
Wash your hands before touching the sterile bottles. Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly before handling sterile baby bottles.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.} This will help prevent the transfer of bacteria or germs from your hands to the bottles.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- If you want to use extra caution, you can handle the baby bottles with sterilized tongs instead of your washed hands.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
2
Let the sterile bottles air dry completely on a clean dishcloth.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.} If you’re storing the baby bottles in a cabinet or container, remove them from the pot, sterilizer, or dishwasher you sterilized them in and place them on a clean dishcloth. Spread out the all the parts, including the nipple, attachment rings, and bottle, and let them air dry completely.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Air drying the sterilized bottle parts will help prevent germs and mold from growing in any crevices.
- If you’re storing the baby bottles inside the sterilizer, you can skip this step.
Advertisement
3
Reassemble the sterile baby bottles before storing them. Once the baby bottle parts are completely air dried, you can reassemble the bottles to make it easier to store them. If you prefer to store the parts separately, you can leave them disassembled and skip this step.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
4
Sanitize the cabinet or container you plan to store the bottles in.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.} Before storing the sterilized baby bottles in a cabinet, make sure that you thoroughly clean the cabinets with sanitizing wipes or disinfecting soap and a clean cloth. If you’re storing the baby bottles in a container in the refrigerator, wash the containers with dish soap or run them through the dishwasher beforehand.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- If you’re storing the baby bottles in the sterilizer, you can skip this step.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Keeping the Bottles Sterile

1
Place the baby bottles in a clean kitchen cabinet. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned a kitchen cabinet, you can safely store sterile baby bottles in it until you need to use them. Only store baby bottles in cabinets that have a door so you can ensure they will stay protected from bacteria and dust.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You can store the sterile baby bottles in a cabinet with dishes as long as the dishes have been thoroughly cleaned.
2
Keep sterile bottles in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If you want to ensure that the bottles aren’t exposed to any germs or bacteria, you can store them in a sealed container, such as a plastic or glass food storage container, in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will help keep the bottles clean and keep any bacteria or mold from growing on them.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You can also store the bottles in an unused sealed plastic baggie.
3
Leave the bottles in the sterilizer until you need to use them. If you used a tabletop equipment sterilizer to sterilize the baby bottles, you can leave the bottles in the sterilizer once the sterilization process has finished. While sterilizing the baby bottles, the sterilizer also sterilizes itself, making it a clean and safe place to store baby bottles until you need to use them or sterilize them again.
- Make sure that you keep the lid closed on the sterilizer to keep the baby bottles germ-free.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Most manufacturers provide guidelines in the instruction manual about how long you can leave the baby bottles in the sterilizer before they need to be sterilized again.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

What mistakes can I avoid when sterilizing my baby's bottles?

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Mor Levy Volner is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant based in Southern California. She earned a BS in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis in 2009 and finished her Lactation Consultant course from the University of California, San Diego Extension Program in 2013, which included 300 hours of lactation consulting experience from Kaiser Permanente. She also has an MS in Dietetics/Nutrition from the California State University - Northridge in 2014.

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Make sure not to go to either side of the extremes, meaning you should avoid either cleaning your baby bottle too much and too little. If you're over boiling plastic or heating up the bottle too often, that could be a risk. You don't need to boil it for an hour, but you also should avoid not cleaning it all. You still want to make sure that it is cleaned adequately. Try learning balance and understand that these tasks don't need to correspond to any extremes. As new moms, you may get really anxious and feel like things must be done just right. Try to take a deep breath and realize everything is going to be okay.
Question

What is the best way to sterilize a baby bottle?

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Mor Levy Volner is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant based in Southern California. She earned a BS in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis in 2009 and finished her Lactation Consultant course from the University of California, San Diego Extension Program in 2013, which included 300 hours of lactation consulting experience from Kaiser Permanente. She also has an MS in Dietetics/Nutrition from the California State University - Northridge in 2014.

Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There are so many ways you can sterilize a baby bottle. You can use a microwave, boiling water, warm soapy water in the sink, and the dishwasher. Just make sure you clean correctly and avoid any shortcuts.