Health and hygiene are two issues all parents really care about and they’re top of our list too. Let’s face it, caring for a baby and creating a hygienic environment can feel never-ending. With the right equipment, some common sense and a routine, these tasks become second nature and you can feel confident that baby will be safe at home or when out and about.
Cleaning & cleansing – regularly wiping surfaces and washing baby equipment is a great habit to get into once baby has arrived. In particular, make sure that any areas used to prepare bottles or food are clean.
Sterilising – baby feeding equipment, breast pumps and soothers should all be sterilised until your baby is 12 months, as milk can harbour harmful bacteria which could make your little one sick. There are many different sterilising options out there, from cold water, microwave and electric to new UV sterilisation, which can even clean soothers, teethers and small toys.
It’s really important to sterilise baby’s feeding equipment to protect your baby’s developing immune system from potentially harmful bacteria. To sterilise effectively, ensure that all bottles, teats and accessories are disassembled and washed thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinsed clean before sterilising. Ensure you re-assemble items with clean hands or sterilised tongs if you can and always on a clean surface too. As a general rule, as soon as a steriliser is opened, the contents inside are no longer sterile.
The Vital Baby Nurture 2 In 1 Combination Steriliser (R390.00) has been designed to give you ultimate convenience and peace of mind, killing 99.9% bacteria to keep your baby healthy and happy. This microwave and cold water steriliser combination offers total flexibility depending on your needs.
It keeps contents sterile for a full 24 hours when the lid is kept closed. This is really useful, so you can always have a sterile bottle close to hand. You can choose to sterilise in either the microwave with only water using steam for a chemical free clean, or using the cold water method with sterilising solution added.
The large capacity holds up to four wide neck bottles, teats, collars, caps and tongs. This steriliser is also suitable for standard neck bottles and accessories such as breast pumps and their components, soothers and teethers.
It can be easily stored in the microwave when not in use and can be easily transported when travelling with baby. Sterilising time is just four minutes in the microwave (based on an 850W microwave).
Changing time – always make sure baby is changed on a wipe-clean mat where possible and remember good hand hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly after each change and dispose of dirty nappies using secured nappy bags or a special nappy bin.
Germs – germs are all around and as baby grows he/she will want to chew most things! While exposure to germs can be a good thing (and is also completely inevitable!), you don’t want your baby to be exposed to the really harmful ones. Limit their exposure by maintaining a high standard of hygiene in the home.
Follow Vital Baby on social media: @vitalbabysa
Vital Baby products are available at Clicks, Babies R Us, Loot, Baby City, Takealot and at www.babiesafrica.com.
- The pressure to be the “Perfect Mom” in the age of social media - September 13, 2024
- Breastfeeding Awareness - August 2, 2024
- Modern Motherhood: Celebrating Diversity & Traditions in the Journey of Life - May 30, 2024
