These microwave steam steriliser bags use the Medela branding and colours, with the photographs and illustrated instructions you’d expect. This only applies to electric sterilisers but is worth bearing in mind nonetheless. Several make loud beeps at the beginning and end of their cycle and some even during, making a dishwasher-like hum.

On the downside, the heating plate will almost certainly attract limescale over time so the steriliser will need descaling once or twice a month. You can buy descaling liquid for this, though all steriliser brands now include instructions for natural descaling liquid from store cupboard ingredients which is a more eco-friendly option. Electric sterilisers are also the most expensive to buy. 3. Microwave steriliserOne method is to use a unit that plugs straight into the mains, while others can be placed in the microwave to heat up. Another clever and easy technique, which takes around 3-6 minutes, is to use microwave bags. This is perfect for those times you might be travelling (although you do have to find a microwave). How do I use a cold water system? I have the Nuby UV one and I love it. I wash the bottles and let them air dry and then put them in there dry for three minutes and it's done! If you're formula feeding Nuby had a sale on their UV steriliser and Rapidcool (can make milk to NHS recommendations and they be cool in 3/4 minutes) bundle." Loved by Mumsnetter Grace185 Our verdict How much space do you have? Some electric sterilisers take up a lot of space on your countertop. If kitchen real estate is limited, choose a smaller, more compact model. Cold-water units vary in size, and you’ll also need somewhere to safely store the dissolvable tablets. Microwave steriliser bags take up minimal space and can fit in a nappy bag or even a drawer with your sandwich bags. Anything else I need to consider?

Yes, it’s important to wash your bottles before you sterilise them to ensure you remove any dried-on milk which could be harbouring bacteria. You can thoroughly wash them in warm soapy water or put them in your dishwasher. Make sure you place your bottles and teats face down in the dishwasher so they don’t fill with dirty water. If you’re washing them by hand, use bottle and teat brushes to ensure you clean every part of the bottle. A UV steriliser is a popular and efficient sterilising method that’s adopted in hospitals and dental practices across the UK. It uses an ultraviolet light to sterilise equipment and doesn’t require water. Ultraviolet models are usually more expensive than other types of steriliser, but they don’t use any chemicals, nor do they require descaling, which can be a huge bonus. With no need for steam, tablets or a microwave, this innovative UV steriliser from Nuby is a game-changer. While it looks a bit like a big makeup bag, the steriliser blasts bottles and dummies with ultra violet light, killing 99.9% of germs in just 3 minutes.Tommee Tippee Travel and MicrowaveSteriliserbags are for use with breast pumps, bottles, pacifiers, bottles and feeding accessories (except bottle brushes and any other metallic items). The bag will hold up to 2 Tommee Tippee Bottles, a Tommee Tippee Manual Breast Pump, 2 Tommee Tippee Silicone Breast Pumps or a Tommee Tippee Electric Breast Pump (washable parts only). As they’re eventually disposable, the bags don’t need cleaning – you won’t need to do anything between uses either, except put in fresh water. Nice and easy. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, but the Dr Brown’s Deluxe Electric Steam Steriliser is really intuitive to use – three lights on the front let you know instantly whether the eight-minute cycle is heating up, cooling down or completed. We find it really easy and it just gets kept in the microwave when not in use. It does four bottles at once which stay sterilised for 24 hours if you keep the lid on."Loved by Mumsnet user OvertiredOverthinker. Our verdict Boil the feeding equipment in a large pan of water for at least 10 minutes, making sure everything stays under the surface. You can set a timer so you remember to turn the heat off.

Capacity: Five bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Sterilisation unit, one Nuby Combat Colic 180ml bottle and a dummy Good for parents who Just one extra note: the box doesn’t come with a measuring jug and there are no markings on the bag for adding water, so you’ll have to measure out the water yourself before pouring it in. Are the Medela Microwave Bags easy to keep clean? If you're looking to keep your baby's bottles sterilised when out and about or have limited storage at home, meaning you can't have a full baby steriliser, microwave steriliser bags are a fantastic solution for cleaning feeding equipment or items that are often in your little one's mouth. Babies don't start producing germ-fighting antibodies until they're six months old, but by the time baby reaches their first birthday, their body will be able to kill off bacteria all by itself. The type of steriliser that’s right for you will depend on your baby’s routine as well as your environment, so it’s perfectly alright to wait till after the birth – maybe buying a box of sterilisation bags as an interim measure – and assess your sterilising needs in the days and weeks afterwards.For a fast-sterilising system without the need for water, this UV steriliser plugs in and has everything sterile and ready for instant use after seven minutes. In addition to sterilising bottles, dummies and teats, it also cleans keys, cosmetic brushes, toys and mobile phones, for added versatility. We love that this is a modern, compact unit that doesn’t look out of place on a countertop. It’s very quiet when in use, too. This is an old school way of sterilising your baby bottles. It works just as well as it always did, but does take a little graft on your behalf. To sterilise by boiling, you should: Do you have a microwave? Microwave sterilisers are great space savers, but pretty redundant if you’re missing one of the main components!

Key details – Type: Electric and microwave steam steriliser; Capacity: Approx 5 bottles; Travel-friendly: YesNuby’s electric steam steriliser comes with a drying function so equipment can immediately be reused without having to wait for it to cool down or dry off. Our tester loved this feature and found it very useful. Microwave steriliser bags have also become more popular in the last few years. These are reusable pouches made from a tough plastic and work by sealing baby equipment in the pouch with some water and microwaving for a set time. These tend to be more roomy than the cup model, with the best fitting two bottles in at a time, and able to be reused around 20 times per bag.