How to Boil Baby Bottles

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Boiling your baby’s bottles in water is an effective way to sterilize them. You can boil many types of bottles, such as glass, plastic, and silicone bottles, as long as the manufacturer’s instructions say this is okay. [1] Boil the bottles in a pot of water, or fill bottles partway with water and heat them in the microwave until the water boils. You might need to boil your baby’s bottles before the first use, or daily if your baby was born premature, has health issues, or has been sick.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Pot of Water on a Stove

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  1. with warm soapy water first. Before you boil the bottles, wash them using warm water, dish soap, and a bottle brush. Clean all the bottles, nipples, and lids. Then, rinse the bottles and their parts in cool or warm water to get all of the soap off. [2]
    • You can also place the bottles into your dishwasher to clean them before you boil them.

    Tip : You might be able to skip boiling the bottles if you have a dishwasher with special settings. Check to see if your dishwasher has a hot water wash and heated dry setting. If it does, run it with these settings to clean and sterilize the bottles in one easy step. [3]

  2. A large stockpot works best for boiling bottles. Make sure that the pot is clean, and then fill it about 2/3 of the way full with tap water. Submerge the bottles in the water completely and angle them so they are upside down.
    • Make sure that there are no pockets of air trapped inside of the bottles causing them to float above the surface. All of the bottles should be fully submerged. However, it’s okay if the other parts of the bottles are floating in the water since they are smaller and will move around more easily.
    • You may need to add a little more or less water to your pot depending on how deep it is. Just make sure that you can fully submerge the bottles in the water.
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  3. Bringing the water to a boil may take around 15 to 20 minutes or longer depending on the size of your pot.
    • Check the water every 5 minutes or so to see when it starts boiling.
  4. Once the water starts to boil, set a timer for 10 minutes. Keep the heat on medium-high and let the water boil for a full 10 minutes. [4]
    • If any of the bottles or parts start to float on the surface of the water, use a clean metal or wooden spoon to gently push them back under.
  5. Use a pair of tongs to carefully remove each of the bottles from the water. Pour the water in the bottles back into the pot as you pull them out. Place each of the bottles and their parts on a clean, dry dishcloth to dry.
    • Invert the bottles on the dishcloth or mat to help them dry faster.
    • You can also place the bottles and parts onto a bottle drying mat or rack if you have one.
    • The bottles will take around 1 hour to dry completely.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Boiling Bottles in the Microwave

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  1. Not all bottles are microwave-safe, so check the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilizing before you microwave your bottles and any bottle parts, such as nipples and lids. [5] There may be special guidelines you need to follow, or a special kit that is recommended for sterilizing in the microwave. [6]
    • For example, your bottles may be microwave-safe, but the nipples might not be. Or, you might need to use a special steam bag to sterilize bottles in the microwave.
  2. Clean the bottles and bottle parts with a bottle brush, warm water, and dish soap. Then, rinse the bottles and parts with warm or cool water to remove all of the soap. [7]
    • Note that you can also clean the bottles in a dishwasher before you boil them in the microwave.

    Tip : Clean your microwave first if it is dirty! Check your microwave for food particles and spills, and clean it before you begin. [8]

  3. Arrange the bottles so that they are upright and evenly spaced. Also, make sure that the turntable you set them on is level. [9]
    • To ensure that all of the bottles get the same amount of heat, you may want to arrange them in a circle on the turntable.
  4. Watch the water through the door to see when it begins to boil. If it is not boiling by the time the minute is up, then add another 30 seconds. Once the water boils, let the microwave run for another 5 seconds and then shut it off. [10]
    • For example, if the water boils at 1 minute and 20 seconds, then you could let it go for another 5 seconds and then shut the microwave off at 1 minute and 25 seconds.
  5. After you shut off the microwave, leave the bottles in there for another 10 minutes. This will allow the hot water and steam to penetrate the bottles and also make it safer for you to you remove them. [11]
    • Be cautious even after letting the water cool for 10 minutes! It may still be quite hot when you handle the bottles.
  6. After you have allowed the bottles to cool in the microwave for 10 minutes, take them out 1 at a time. Grasp 1 bottle with the oven mitt and carefully dump the remaining water into the sink. [12]
    • Repeat this for all of the bottles.
  7. Place the bottles upside down on a clean, dry dishcloth. Let them dry in this position for about 1 hour or until no water is visible on them. Once the bottles are dry, they are sterilized and ready to use! [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Knowing When to Boil Bottles

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  1. If you have clean drinking water and your baby does not have any health concerns, then you only need to boil your baby’s bottles before the first use. After that, you can wash them by hand or in your dishwasher after each use. This is true whether the bottles are brand new or you got them secondhand. [14]
    • Remember to wash the bottles first, and then boil them in a pot of water or in the microwave to sanitize them.
  2. If you only want to sanitize your baby’s bottles before the first use, then you will only have to boil them 1 time. However, you may need to boil your baby’s bottles before each use in certain situations. These include: [15]
    • If your baby has been sick.
    • If your baby has health issues or was born prematurely.
    • If you don’t have clean drinking water on tap.
  3. If the bottles or parts start to warp, crack, or show other signs of damage after boiling them, then do not continue to boil them and discard the damaged bottles and parts. Not all bottles will hold up well against repeated boiling, so pay close attention to any changes to the bottles or their parts. [16]

    Tip : Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilizing before you boil the bottles or parts! Not all bottles and their parts are safe to boil. If it is safe to boil the items, the manufacturer might have special instructions for how to do so safely.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it safe to microwave a baby bottle?
    Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
    International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
    Mor Levy Volner is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant based in Southern California. She earned a BS in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis in 2009 and finished her Lactation Consultant course from the University of California, San Diego Extension Program in 2013, which included 300 hours of lactation consulting experience from Kaiser Permanente. She also has an MS in Dietetics/Nutrition from the California State University - Northridge in 2014.
    Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN
    International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
    Expert Answer
    It depend on the bottle. Check the manufacturer's instructions before you put your baby's bottles in the microwave.
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      Tips

      • Always wash and dry your hands before handling your baby’s bottles! This will help to ensure that they stay clean and sterilized until your baby needs them. [17]
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      Warnings

      • Use extreme care when boiling bottles! The water will be very hot and it can easily burn you if it gets on your skin.
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      References

      1. ↑ Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/
      3. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      4. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/
      5. ↑ Mor Levy Volner, IBCLC, RDN. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/
      7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/
      8. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      9. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      1. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      2. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles-and-nipples/#tab-con-11
      3. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      4. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      5. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      6. ↑ https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles
      7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/
      8. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/

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