Steam Sterilizers vs UV Sterilizers

Every parent knows how important it is to sterilize the products their baby puts in their mouth in order to keep them healthy. But with so many different sterilizers on the market, it can be confusing to distinguish which product is best for keeping your baby safe. Baby Brezza has broken down the difference between two ways to sterilize bottles and equipment in order to help you make a more informed decision about the best approach for you.

There are many traditional approaches to sterilizing baby products that your parents likely used, such as boiling water or using a microwave steam bag; these methods are time-consuming and potentially unsafe. Using boiling water can take a long time because you need to boil the water, then keep pressing the bottles down under the water so all surfaces get cleaned. Microwave steam bags have limited capacity and can easily burn your hands when you first open from the microwave, being  filled with fresh steam.

Is Sterilizing Baby Bottles Necessary?

It is very important to thoroughly sterilize your baby’s bottles. Sterilizing kills any remaining microscopic bacteria that might have been missed during the cleaning process. Moreover, not doing so will allow bacteria to develop on the feeding equipment which can lead to infections. Sanitizing bottles is particularly important when your baby is younger than 2 months.

How Often Should I Sterilize Baby Bottles?

According to the CDC^[1], baby bottles should always be sterilized before using them for the first time. After that, bottles should be sterilized at least once daily if your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system.

How Effective are Bottle Sterilizers?

Electric sterilizers have many advantages over traditional methods, as they do all of the work for you, usually have larger capacity, and take a lot less time and effort. However, not all sterilizer machines are the same. Read on to learn the differences between steam sterilizers UV vs Steam sterilizers.

Steam Sterilizers

How Long Does it Take to Steam Sterilize Bottles?

Steam sterilizers are the gold standard sterilizing appliance. They use natural steam to effectively kill 99.99% of bacteria– and they're fast, (taking only 8 minutes to steam sterilize).

Since steam spreads quickly throughout the machine, every surface of each bottle, accessory, or pump part is sterilized regardless of shape. Steam sterilizers also have a large capacity, holding up to 8 bottles and multiple pump part sets, so you only need to run them once a day. 

Some steam sterilizers also include an integrated dryer, so you can sterilize and dry your baby's products at the push of 1 button -- talk about time savings!

Pros and Cons of Steam Sterilizers for Baby Bottles

Pros:

1. Effective Sterilization: Steam sterilizers effectively kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria and germs using high-temperature steam, ensuring baby bottles and accessories are thoroughly sanitized.
2. Chemical-Free: Steam sterilization is a natural process that does not require any chemicals, making it a safe option for sterilizing baby bottles and other items.
3. Large Capacity: Many steam sterilizers can accommodate multiple baby bottles, nipples, and accessories at once, making them efficient for daily use.
4. Quick Sterilization Cycle: Most steam sterilizers can complete a sterilization cycle in about 5-10 minutes, providing a fast and convenient solution for busy parents.
5. Automatic Shut-Off: Many models come with an automatic shut-off feature, ensuring safety and energy efficiency by turning off the device once the sterilization cycle is complete.

Cons:

1. Initial Cost: While steam sterilizers are generally affordable, they can be more expensive upfront compared to traditional boiling methods.
2. Electricity Dependency: Steam sterilizers require electricity to operate, which may be a limitation in areas with unreliable power supply or during travel.
3. Size and Storage: Some steam sterilizers can be bulky and require adequate counter space, which might be an issue in small kitchens.

Regular Cleaning Required: Steam sterilizers need to be cleaned regularly to prevent mineral build-up from water, which can affect their performance over time.

UV Sterilizers

UV bottle sterilizers use ultraviolet (UV) light instead of steam to sterilize baby products. Though UV light effectively kills bacteria, its effectiveness is determined by where the light shines.

Is a UV Light Sterilizer Safe for Baby Bottles?

Some UV Light including UVC light can degrade the plastics oftentimes used in bottles and pump parts including polypropylene (abbreviated as PP) and low-density Polyethylene (abbreviated as LDPE)[2]. These UV rays can break the bonds within the plastic and cause cracking or discoloration. In fact, many bottle brands specifically recommend against using UV sterilizers on their products, as the rays can seriously decrease the durability of the bottles. 

Pros and Cons of UV Sterilizers for Baby Bottles

Pros:

1. Effective Sterilization: UV sterilizers use ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms, providing a high level of sterilization.
2. Chemical-Free: Unlike chemical sterilization methods, UV sterilizers do not use any chemicals, making them safe and non-toxic for baby bottles.
3. Quick and Convenient: Most UV sterilizers can sterilize baby bottles in a matter of minutes, making them a time-saving option for busy parents.
4. Versatile Use: UV sterilizers can also be used to sterilize other baby items like pacifiers, toys, and breast pump parts, adding to their versatility.

Cons:

1. Limited Capacity: Some UV sterilizers may have a smaller capacity, meaning they can sterilize fewer items at a time compared to larger steam sterilizers.
2. Power Dependency: UV sterilizers require electricity to operate, which might be a limitation in situations where power is not readily available.
3. Maintenance: The UV bulbs in the sterilizers need to be replaced periodically to ensure effective sterilization, which can add to the maintenance cost.
4. Effectiveness on Visible Dirt: UV sterilizers are effective at killing germs but do not remove visible dirt or milk residue. Items need to be thoroughly cleaned before being placed in the sterilizer.

Which is Better: Steam or UV Sterilizer?

UV light only kills germs if it directly shines on the product surface containing bacteria– steam is able to spread across the entire surface of a bottle or pump part, regardless of shape.  UV light only shines up and down in a straight path, so if the product's surface isn't directly above or below the light, it won't likely get sterilized. Since many baby products are curved, there's a likelihood that not every surface is getting evenly cleaned. 

Additionally, some UV sterilizers can require very long cleaning times– upwards of 60 minutes– to kill 99.9% of germs. UV options also tend to be smaller than steam sterilizers, so you'll need to use them more often to sterilize the same amount of bottles, pump parts or accessories. So, if you're going to use a UV Sterilizer, be aware of these concerns.

Baby Brezza Steam Sterilizers and Sterilizer Dryers

Which Is the Most Efficient Sterilizer for Bottles?

Baby Brezza’s most efficient steam sterilizers include:

One Step Sterilizer Dryer Advanced

The One Step Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Advanced is our most advanced way to sterilize and dry baby products. It kills 99.9% of germs with steam, then automatically dries 33% faster. It also has the largest capacity of any sterilizer, holding 8 bottles and 2 full pump part sets. This revolutionary appliance also includes a HEPA filter, so it dries with clean air that's 99.99% free of germs. It’s modular, too, so you can use it up to 4 different ways.

One Step Sterilizer

The One Step Baby Bottle Sterilizer is a great option for parents who want a steam sterilizer but do not need an integrated dryer. This appliance has the largest capacity, holding up to 8 baby bottles and 2 pump part sets, and can be used 4 different ways because it's modular. 

Good luck finding the right sterilizer for your family to ensure you baby stays healthy.

Find the Right Sterilizer for YOUR Needs!