Are Dr. Brown’s bottles dishwasher safe? Yes, they are, but like all baby bottles, they require special care to ensure proper cleaning, particularly the internal vent system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean Dr. Brown’s baby bottles.
When You First Get Your Bottles
When you first purchase Dr. Brown’s baby bottles, it’s important to ensure that all parts are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.
- Wash the bottle and all parts: Use hot water and a gentle, baby-safe detergent.
- Boil the nipple: For the first use only, boil the nipple for five minutes to sterilize it.
This initial cleaning ensures that any manufacturing or packaging residues are removed, keeping your baby’s bottles safe to use from the start.
Everyday Cleaning
For daily use, it’s essential to clean all components of the bottle properly, especially Dr. Brown’s unique vent system, which helps reduce colic and gas but also has small parts that require special attention.
- Disassemble all parts: Separate the bottle, vent insert, vent reservoir, and nipple to clean each piece individually.
- Use hot water and gentle detergent: Wash all parts with hot, soapy water to remove milk residue.
- Clean the vent system: Use the included Cleaning Brush to clean the small holes in the vent insert and the straw-like tube in the vent reservoir. These areas can trap milk or formula, leading to mold if not cleaned properly.
- Wash the bottle and nipple: Use a non-scratch sponge or bottle brush to clean the main bottle and nipple.
- Dishwasher safe: Dr. Brown’s bottles, parts, and nipples are top-rack dishwasher safe. However, it’s important to thoroughly clean the small areas of the vent system before placing them in the dishwasher to avoid mold build-up.
- Dry thoroughly: Let all parts fully dry before reassembling and storing them in a clean, dry place to avoid moisture, which can lead to mold or bacterial growth.
Sterilizing Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles
Sterilizing is an added step to ensure baby bottles are germ-free. While daily sterilization isn’t necessary for every baby, it is recommended in specific cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sanitizing is particularly important if your baby is younger than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system.
Here are a few situations when you should sterilize Dr. Brown’s bottles:
- Before the first use: Always sterilize new bottles after purchasing them.
- After traveling: Sterilize bottles after any travel, as they may have come into contact with unsanitary surfaces.
- When milk or formula has been left too long: If the bottle contains milk or formula beyond its recommended room temperature storage time, it’s wise to sterilize it.
- After contact with contaminated surfaces: Sterilize bottles that have touched dirty counters or floors.
- During sickness: Sterilize bottles daily if your baby is ill with the flu or other infections.
For sterilization, you can use a steam sterilizer, boiling water, or your dishwasher’s sanitize setting if it has one.
Following these steps will help ensure that your Dr. Brown’s bottles remain clean and safe for your baby’s use, minimizing the risk of bacteria buildup while preserving the bottles’ longevity.
