Top 10 Reasons to Use Microwave Sterilizer Bags

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Hygiene for your baby is a very important issue that you should consider at all times. Therefore its only fitting that you should chose the most hygienic way in which you feed your baby, and that includes sterilizing baby bottles. The most common way nowadays is by the use of microwave bags, which can sterilize a baby feeding bottle as well as other accessories.

There are other ways you can sterilize baby bottles including electric sterilizers, cold water tablet or old-fashioned boiling. But why should you choose microwave bags? Here are the top 10 reasons why.

1 No Extra Equipment Required.

If you have a microwave then you already own the only piece of 'equipment' that you need. Most modern homes have a microwave so there is no extra cost in buying bulky sterilizing equipment that can take up valuable bench space.

2. Easy to Use.

These bags are very easy to use. Most come with easy to follow instructions that you can use to get started. Follow the instructions yourself and normally in less 5 minutes you will be able to sterilize without any extra help.

3. Sterilization is done fast

Babies bottles can be sterilized in a very short period of time. Though there is no universal set time that applies to all bags, on average a sterilization cycle can take between 3 to 6 minutes. This is much faster than all other methods available on the market, and is the quickest way for you to be ready to feed your baby.

4. They are a great way to prevent disease

Sterilization of feeding bottles helps to prevent all sorts of diseases from occurring in babies. This includes reduced incidents of colic through to the prevention of food poisoning and gastroenteritis. The sterilization process kills 99% of all types of virus' and bacteria that may be on the surface of the bottle.

5. They are reusable

Most can be reused, some up to 20 times. How many times a bag can be used differs from one manufacture to another.

6. It is the cheapest way to sterilize

The price of sterilizer bags makes them most ideal choice for sterilizing all your baby's bottles. They are very cheap and come in packs of 6 to 20 depending on the manufacturer, and are reusable many times. When bought in bulk the cost of sterilizing each time may be as low as only a few cents.

7. They are ideal for travelling

They are such a convenience when traveling. Individual bags are small, light and easily fit into a 'baby bag'. You simply need to have a microwave and small amount of water available at your destination or in transit. When travelling bottles can be sterilized in advance at your motel and kept inside the microwave bag for use later in the day. And you can have peace of mind knowing that the bottles are sterile, ready for you to use.

8. They keep your breast pump clean

They are also an ideal way in which you can keep your breast pump clean, ensuring that the milk is at all times safe for your baby to drink.

9. Sterilization is recommended by your doctor

Doctors recommend that you keep all your baby's feeding equipment hygienically clean at all times.

10. They are scientifically tested

All microwave sterilizer bags are tested before they are sold on the market. They undergo a series of scientific tests to ensure that they sterilize effectively.

Microwave sterilizer bags are the convenient way to turn your own microwave into your very own sterilization unit. The bags can be used to sterilize feeding bottles, breast pumps, teething rings and other feeding accessories. Microwave sterilizer bags are available online and at most baby shops. They are simply a must for all mothers.

Jess Embling is from Easy Bubs Baby Care and she promotes baby products that are healthy for baby and cost effective & convenient for parents, like BPA-free Microwave Sterilizer Bags. They are the easiest and fastest way for sterilizing baby bottles and are a great to sterilize babies bottles when you travel.

How to Use a Microwave Sterilizer Bag

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Microwave sterilizer bags are an ideal way to sterilize all your baby's bottles, as well as other feeding accessories. The bags are easy to use and require no special skills. These bags are light weight and compact, making then great for trips.

The following instructions are provided to help you use your microwave bags, and are also often listed on the back of each individual bag. Most sterilizing bags on the market have manufacturer specifications on how to effectively sterilize the bottles and feeding accessories. Follow the manufacturers instructions first. However, if you don't have instructions you can follow the steps listed below. Please be aware you may need to make some little adjustments to the method to suit the type of microwave sterilizer bag you have.

1. Before you place a bottle or any other item to be sterilized into a microwave sterilizing bag it is best that you wash all parts of the bottle with soapy warm and rinse it to get rid of all the impurities.

2. Open the microwave sterilizer bag and add 100 ml of water into the bottom. The water is vital because when it is heated in the microwave it creates steam at 100 degrees Celsius which kills bacteria and sterilizes the bottle. The amount of water you put in may vary depending on the type of bag and the manufacturers' specifications. However, around 60 to 100ml of water is ideal. Do not use less than 60 ml of water as the bag may over heat and become warped.

3. If you have a bottle rack put it in the microwave to help keep the bag upright.

4. Load the bag with bottles, nipples, breast pump equipment or other feeding accessories into the bag, but do not over load. Note: do not include any items made of metal.

5. Seal the microwave sterilizer bag, and make sure the seal is secure all the way along. To sterilize effectively there must be a tight seal to keep the steam in. If you have over filled the bag there is a chance that the seal might pop open. An open bag will not sterilize the items, so take some items out and make sure it is sealed properly. Once the first batch is sterilized simply repeat the process for other items.

6. Place the bag into the microwave oven and close the door.

7. Set the microwave to High and set the timer for 3 minutes, and turn on. Three minutes is the length of time needed to sterilize a baby bottle for a typical 800 to 1100W microwave oven. Other microwaves may need a longer or shorter time depending on its power. Microwaves ovens over 1100W need only 1.5 minutes (90 seconds) and microwaves between 500 and 750W need 5 minutes. Most microwave sterilizer bags on the market require two to six minutes depending on microwave power - refer to the manufacturers specifications. CAUTION - Do not heat for more than the recommended time.

8. If your microwave does not have a turntable, then rotate the bag half way through the allocated time.

9. After the allocated time, you should leave the bag in the microwave for at least 1 minute to allow it to cool down before removing it.

10. Open the microwave, and using the Easy Pour Grip, remove the sterilizer bag. CAUTION - Use care when removing the bag from the microwave oven, hot water and steam are inside. Let the bag cool down for a further minute if required.

11. Holding the Easy Pour Grip tip the bag down into a sink and pour out any excess water using the notch opening on the side of the bag. CAUTION - Use care when pouring out the excess water from the bag, hot water and steam are inside.

12. Open the bag releasing the seal and remove the contents. CAUTION - hot steam may still escape when bag is opened.

The steps above outline the most efficient way in which you can sterilize your baby's bottles fast with an Microwave Sterilizer bag. These bags are intended for use only with microwave safe plastics. Note that steam cleaning breast tubing may cause clouding or dis-colouration (which does not affect its performance). Also do not place the bag on metallic grills that come with some microwaves. It is always recommended that you follow the guidelines for use of your microwave oven.

Jess Embling runs a business called Easy Bubs Baby Care. She promotes baby products that are healthy for baby and cost effective & convenient for parents, like BPA-free Microwave Sterilizer Bags. They are the easiest and fastest way for sterilizing baby bottles and are a great to sterilize babies bottles when you travel.

Tommee Tippee Sterilizer - Is It Needed?

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There has been some debate over whether baby bottles need to be sterilized or not. While there is no question that baby bottles should always be thoroughly cleaned, and little doubt they should be sterilized before the first use, there are questions primarily focused on the need for sterilization from a health perspective. I think it's really a personal preference, and if you decide to go the safer, more convenient route of using a sterilizer then the Tommee Tippee sterilizer is a great option.

The first thing about this product is simply convenience. It comes in two versions: electric steam and a microwavable container. The electric version holds up to six bottles with the nipples and rings whereas the microwave version holds just four. The reason for the smaller size is to make sure the container can fit into most microwaves. The container is, of course, less expensive and it is more compact. The only downside is that you need the availability of a microwave in order to use it. The electric version works on its own and holds a typical day's worth of bottles.

I personally use the electric version. Setting up the sterilizing procedure is very easy. I use one of the baby bottles to measure hold 80 ml of water. The water is then poured in at the bottom of the unit. There are two trays inside the unit: an upper tray and a lower one. I load up the bottles on the bottom tray (holds up to six bottles) and then place this tray at the bottom of the device.

The upper tray is designed to hold the caps, nipples and pacifiers. Being able to put pacifiers in the unit is convenient, because those things, even with leashes, manage to end up in the strangest places. Once I finish loading all these things, I put the top rack back on the sterilizer and then place the lid on. A push of the button and 5 minutes later I have a day's worth of bottles for my son that are 99.9% germ free. Oh, but be careful - it takes another 5 minutes or so for the bottles to cool down enough to handle.

Because it does take a bit for the bottles to cool, I usually just run the Tommee Tippee sterilizer before I go to bed. With the lid on, bottles, nipples and pacifiers keep germ free for up to 24 hours. That just makes it super convenient and much simpler than boiling water or using a dishwasher loaded with all my other dishes.

On the few occasions where we needed the bottles right away I have found that unloading the baby bottles from the sterilizer fairly easy too. I use the tongs that came with the package to remove the bottles, caps, nipples and pacifiers one by one.

Tommee Tippee baby products are known for their safety and performance. The company only recently expanded into the United States but they have been a reliable company in the UK for decades. That and the fantastic consumer reviews they receive year after year are why I bought a unit in the first place.

I know that my baby's immune system is fragile especially during the first year of infancy and careful protection should be observed. Trust me, I'm not a zealot about germs. I just think why take the risk of introducing any additional germs during this important period for my son. And by the way, this sterilizer is BPA and Phthalate-free which means that it is 100% safe for babies.

Is it worth it to have the Tommee Tippee sterilizer? For me, there is no doubt. My wife and I feel more secure about the environment we are raising our son in. And, we are especially pleased with just how convenient it is for us. We have plenty to do and not having to spend a lot of time on a daily event is a great benefit.

Chris Guthrie is a new father and product research fanatic. He likes to make sure he is getting the perfect solution for the needs of his family, and at a great price. Chris started Tommee Tippee Reviews after deciding he had a responsibility to share his research to other new parents. Make sure to check out the great write up on the Tommee Tippee sterilizer that keeps baby bottles germ free.