How is Steri-bottle® sterilised?

Steri-bottle® is made sterile by an electronic process currently and extensively used and trusted by the medical industry for many years. It leaves no residues and is 100% safe for your baby. Steri-bottles® are manufactured and packaged in very hygienic conditions before they are sterilised to ensure they are contamination free. They then undergo a stringent validation process to prove their sterility.

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 packaging.

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 most home sterilisation processes do not completely eliminate such contaminants. Steri-bottles® are completely free of contaminants and can be used in confidence, as long as formula milk is prepared in accord with the manufactured 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 these residues may then 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. For newborn babies, or those with smaller appetites, as 125ml bottle is available in addition to the standard 250ml size.

Is Steri-bottle® 'environmentally' recyclable?

Steri-bottle® is manufactured from 100% recyclable materials and has clear internationally standard recycling 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 an the water cycle.

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. The plastic materials used in Steri-bottle® do not contain Bisphenol A and have been tested to recognised statutory standards and are entirely safe for feeding your baby. In addition, because you only use Steri-bottles® once, there is no chance of the residues of washing detergents, formulas 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. All babies are different. Simply try a pack of four Steri-bottles® - 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 soft 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.

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 at a fraction of the price of a reusable feeding bottle. They are available in a choice of packs to suit your usage 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 four Steri-bottles® will cost rather less than one reusable bottle.

I can detect a slight ‘ozone-y’ smell when I first open a Steri-bottle®. What is it?

Steri-bottle® is made sterile by an electronic process used and trusted by manufacturers of surgical equipment. It has been chosen because it leaves no chemical residue and because it is extremely effective and reliable. The very high energy used in the process creates a safe environment within the packaging. The process leaves a smell (similar to that of sterilising fluid or tablets) which is your assurance that the product is completely sterile and safe for use. The smell, which reduces soon after opening, is entirely safe for your baby and Steri-bottle® has passed all the rigorous tests required for all baby bottles.