Steribottle pre-sterilized baby bottles

How is Steri-bottle® 'sterilised'?

Steribottle's new range of stacking bottles (white cap) do not need to be sterlised after manufacture. They are manufactured in a controlled clean-room where the air is filtered to remove bugs. The temperature at which the products are manufactured is over 200oC and ensures the product is sterile when it comes off the machine. The product is then very quickly assembled and stacked by machine in the clean-room and immediately sealed into packaging. The safety of this process has been independently assessed and validated.

Is Steri-bottle® as 'sterile' as washing and sterilising the bottles myself?

Steri-bottle® is far more 'sterile' than anyone could possibly achieve with a reusable bottle in his or her home. Unlike bottles sterilised at home, Steri-bottles® remain sterile for many years as long as they are kept in their original unopened packaging.

What happens when I take one product out of your new stacking packaging, aren't the others now non-sterile?

The packaging has been carefully designed and tested to ensure that the parts of the bottle and teat in contact with your baby and the milk are protected. This type of packaging has been used for many years for disposable liner bottle systems and many millions of babies have been safely fed by products packed in a similar way.

It is important to think why we sterilise reusable bottles. The answer is that reusable bottles are used and used again with milk which is very good at growing bugs. Washing and sterilising bottles that have had milk in them ensures the residues are removed and that any bugs left on the surface, or in the tiny surface cracks, are killed off. Steri-bottle® is different. Each time you use a bottle it is the first time it has been used; there is no milk residue, and the milk-contact surfaces and teat have not been touched, so at point of use it is just like a newly sterilised reusable bottle. Because the cap cannot be removed without damaging the bottle it cannot be reused.

What if I'm not sure how long the product has been in open packaging or out of its packaging?

If you are worried that you have left an unused Steri-bottle® bottle or teat outside of its packaging for too long all models can be sterilised using liquid or steam methods.

Why is 'sterility' so important?

Young infants have a very limited immune response to certain infections. Gastroenteritis and other infections of the digestive system are potentially serious illnesses for young babies. Such infections are most likely to be picked up from poorly cleaned or poorly sterilised feeding bottles and teats, or incorrectly prepared formula milk. No matter how scrupulous you are in the home, it is very difficult to remove all traces of milk residue and bacteria from feeding bottles, and some home sterilisation processes may not completely eliminate such contaminants. Steri-bottle® has never been in contact with milk or other liquids before you use it and can be used in confidence, as long as formula milk is prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Steri-bottle® can also be used safely with correctly expressed breast milk.

I've heard I can 'sterilise' bottles in the dishwasher - is this true?

Many people clean bottles and teats in the dishwasher and it is true that this method does remove most of the bacteria due to the very aggressive chemicals and heat used in such machines. Unfortunately these same aggressive chemicals can cause damage to bottles and teats and there is a suggestion that residues of the chemicals remain on the bottles or even inside small cracks in the bottle surface caused by the washing action. It is also possible that if any residues remain they could leach out into the milk during preparation.

Can I use Steri-bottle® more than once?

No, to protect you and your baby Steri-bottles® cannot be opened once they have been filled and can only be used once. This means that once you have prepared the feed and locked the bottle, you can be sure that no one can add anything to that bottle or interfere with the feed you have chosen. Any milk left in the bottle can be emptied out by snipping the end of the teat off and pouring it away.

Is Steri-bottle® recyclable?

Steri-bottle® is manufactured from 100% recyclable materials and has clear internationally recognised recycling code information moulded into each bottle. Where plastic recycling schemes exist, Steri-bottle® can be disposed of in this way. Because Steri-bottle® is single use, you do not need to use detergents or chemical sterilisers when using the product. This reduces the environmental impact of such substances within the water cycle.

Steribottle's new stacking product has been designed to use even less plastic, less space which reduces the energy used to ship each bottle and has less packaging per bottle.

I've heard about chemicals in plastics being harmful in babies. Is this true?

Some plastics do leach substances that have been shown might cause health problems. In particular a substance known as Bisphenol A, found in polycarbonate bottles, has attracted bad press and has actually been banned in some countries. The plastic materials used in Steri-bottle® do not contain Bisphenol A and have been tested to recognised statutory standards. In addition, because you only use Steri-bottles® once, there is no chance of the residues of washing detergents, formula milk or sterilising fluids contaminating your feed.

My baby is very particular about feeding teats. How do I know my baby will like the teat on the Steri-bottle®

In independent product testing the Steri-bottle® teat scored as 'excellent' or 'very good' by more than eight out of ten parents. Since the tests took place the teat design and material have been further improved and a choice of flow rates is offered on the Steri-bottle® range to suit your baby's age and appetite. Obviously all babies are different and there is no guarantee your baby will like any particular teat including Steribottle® but in trying a pack you are not committing yourself to an expensive reusable system if your baby doesn't like it.

What is the teat made from?

The Steri-bottle® teat is made from a rubber-like material called TPE. This material has a lifelike texture and transmits heat faster than silicone and latex tests and is recyclable too. The design of the Steri-bottle® teat prevents it from being pulled out, ensuring your baby cannot accidentally remove it, in fact the latest Steri-bottle® has an integrally moulded teat as part of the cap and this cannot be separated in normal use.

Isn't Steri-bottle® an expensive way to feed my baby?

Steri-bottle® is manufactured in a different way from traditional baby bottles and has been designed to offer excellent value. They are available in a choice of packs to suit your frequency of use and your pocket. Steri-bottle® gives you freedom from cleaning, sterilising and worry, particularly when your time is most precious, like holidays and family outings. Typically, a pack of Steri-bottle® will cost rather less than one quality reusable bottle.