Tuesday, April 27, 2010

How to Use Baby Bottle Sterilizers

Introduction
If you are using bottles to feed your baby, whether with expressed milk or formula, you should ensure that each piece of the bottle is sterile. Sterilization means thoroughly decontaminated each piece of the bottle, including the nipple, nipple ring and cap.

While you can drop the parts in boiling water to sterilize them, or use cold sterilization techniques, a baby bottle sterilizer makes it easier and more efficient. Baby bottle sterilizers need to be used correctly, though, to ensure that proper sterilization occurs.

Steam Baby Bottle Sterilizers
Step 1
Place the unit near an electrical outlet. Add the manufacturer's recommended amount of water. Plugin the unit.

Step 2
Place the bottle upside down (use the prongs to support them individually). Most units allow up to six bottles to be sterilized simultaneously. Place the nipples, nipple rings and caps so that they do not touch each other. Either prop them between the lower prongs, or place them on the supplied surface.

Step 3
Put the cover on items that are sterilized and turn on the unit. Sterilization typically takes about 10 minutes with an automatic cycle that raises water temperature to a sufficient level to kill off any bacteria (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Once this cycle ends, the unit automatically begins to cool. Many units do not allow you to open the cover until the cooling cycle is completed

Microwave Baby Bottle Sterilizers
Step 1
Make sure your bottles and food sources (nipples, nipple rings and caps) is the safe in the microwave before using this method of sterilization. The items need to be specifically labeled "microwave safe" or they may melt in the microwave.

Step 2
Put bottles and feeding equipment on the tray provided. Use the prongs to place the bottles upside-down. Separate nipples, nipple rings and caps so they are not touching one another. Most units can sterilize up to four bottles and accessories at one time.

Step 3
Add the manufacturer's recommended amount of water and put the unit fully charged, in the microwave.

Step 4
Close the microwave door and set the timer to the amount recommended by the manufacturer. Most microwave baby bottle sterilizers require about eight minutes to sterilize enough bottles and food items, although the time depends on the model of the microwave.

Step 5
Let the bottles cool off before removing them from the microwave to avoid burning your fingers. Depending on the model of bottle and the power of your microwave, it could take up to two minutes for the bottles to cool off sufficiently.

Source1 : Baby Bottle Sterilizers
Source2 : Baby Bottle Sterilizers
More article about baby bottle sterilizer, parenting tips and healthy baby on http://babybottlesterilizers.net

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding, although not the easiest thing to do, is undoubtedly the best thing that you can do for your baby. Yes it takes practice and is time consuming, but there are more than quite a few benefits of
breastfeeding your baby than you might think.

When you breastfeed your baby, not only is it nutritious for your baby but it is a bonding experience every time you feed your baby. Breastfeeding makes a strong bond between mother and child.

Studies suggest that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Breastfeeding can help you burn up to 500 extra calories per day. You may feel more hungry but you will get rid of all of those unwanted pregnancy pounds in no time at all when you breastfeed.

Nighttime feedings are easier, instead of going to the refrigerator and then warming up some formula, you just have to put a very hungry baby to your breast and there you go. You can relax and feed your baby at the same time. There are many ways of feeding your baby as well, you can lie down, or just hold them in the traditional way. They even have boppys which are little pillows that you rest baby on so your arms don't get tired. What an easy way to feed baby!

Babies are born to breastfeed, just like cows or any other baby animals that nurse. This is just the natural thing to do. There are over 100 different ingredients in breast milk that you can't find in cow's milk, and can't be made in a laboratory. Your breast milk provides just the right amount of sugars, fats, antibodies, everything that your baby needs to grow.

Breast milk is free- It costs up to $15 to buy a can of formula, which adds up when your baby is drinking a bottle every 3 to 4 hours. Half used cans or half drank bottles have to be thrown away when using formula, proven to be wasteful. With breast milk all you have to do is stop nursing.

Breastfeeding is more convenient than formula, no bottles to sanitize, no having to make sure a bottle is clean when you have a screaming baby that wants to eat. Your breast milk is always on hand just the right temperature and just enough to fill baby up.

Nursing fulfills babies sucking needs. It is like a pacifier as babies can continue sucking on an empty breast but not an empty bottle, for that can cause air to get in their tummies.

Babies who nurse are less obese than babies that drink formula. The baby who bottle feeds tends to drink until the milk is all gone, while the breastfeed baby gets more fat at the end of the breast milk which makes
him/her feel full.

Babies that nurse are building up their immune systems. Through their mother's breast milk they are getting antibodies and overall these babies will get fewer colds and will have fewer health problems than those babies that drink formula.

These are just some of the benefits of breast milk...there are many others as well. Do what's best for your baby and breastfeed.

Read more article about Baby Bottle Sterilizer. You can find more article in http://babybottlesterilizers.net