Friday, September 4, 2009

How Do You Go About Choosing A Baby Sterilizer?

By Danny Crispin

New babies are very vulnerable to infection - especially stomach bugs. It's therefore very important to ensure that baby bottles are 100% sterile before use. Baby milk (human or formula) is a great medium for harmful bacteria to grow in. You therefore need access to a baby sterilizer to ensure that bottles are sterilized properly.

There are a wide variety of makes and models of baby sterilizers available on the market. However, they can be broadly subdivided into three types - steam sterilizers, microwaveable sterilizers and chemical sterilizers. The choice of product will vary from family to family, but each product has it's own advantages and disadvantages.

Electric steam sterilizers include their own heating element. If you have access to an electric socket and a little tap water then you are good to go. Some are a little bulky. They are also quite pricey in comparison to the alternatives.

A microwaveable sterilizer requires access to microwave. Just add water, place the sterilizer in the microwave and set it going for the required time. These can be a problem however if you are away from home or are using your microwave for cooking.

Chemical sterilizers are devices which rely on use of chemical antimicrobials. Heating is therefore not involved in the sterilization process. These are therefore great for travel or if you are away from home and don't have access to electricity or a microwave. Although regulated, use of synthetic chemicals is however often cause for concern for many parents.

When making you decision remember the advantages of sticking to a well known brand in terms of reliability and after sales support. Also think about the capacity that you require - for instance if your baby is normally breast fed then a small device will probably suffice.

When choosing also think about the quality of the bottles that come with the product. For instance, some will come with highly advanced teats manufactured using medical silicone to mimic the structure and function of the human breast.

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