They are essentially a large, round, plastic box with a screw-on lid, usually with an internal basket to hold the bottles. Water is poured into the bottom (under the basket) and in the microwave it boils to create steam. Capacity: Approximately six bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Steriliser and teat tongs – larger sets are also available to buy Good for parents who

This only applies to electric sterilisers but is worth bearing in mind nonetheless. Several make loud beeps at the beginning and end of their cycle and some even during, making a dishwasher-like hum.The one notable downside is that you can only sterilize or warm one bottle at a time. If you’re solely bottle feeding, then this may not be the right option for you. I liked the tall, slimline design of this machine, which takes up less counter space than most comparable models, and the accessories tray that sits above (rather than around) the bottle grid. The tray is roomy enough for lots of pacifiers, teethers and other smaller items. The steriliser is also very light, with a nice digital interface, and comes with a handy measuring cup that takes the guesswork out of how much water to use. Electric sterilisers are units set over a heating plate that heats up water and sterilises the contents with steam. They’re usually generously sized, so can handle up to a day’s worth of bottles all at once, and require almost no preparation and no further outlay to use them regularly.

Lastly, will you be mainly breastfeeding, pumping or formula feeding? If it’s the former, you won’t need much in the way of equipment so can get away with something cheaper and more straightforward, whereas if you’re exclusively pumping or formula feeding, you’ll rely heavily on your steriliser and will need something more heavy-duty with a bigger capacity. How do I descale a steriliser? The steam comes from the water reservoir, which parents like because it keeps them from having to fill it every time. There’s an alarm that tells you when the bottle is done sterilizing, and an auto shut-off feature helps avoid the risk of overheating. Dr Brown’s Options+ grows with baby, allowing easy removal of the vent system when baby no longer experiences feeding problems, or you want the convenience of a teat-vented bottle.Electric sterilisers attract limescale on their heating plate over time so will need regularly descaling (manufacturers will specify a frequency, but it’s usually once or twice a month). To reduce limescale build-up, pour out the water after every use and wipe down with a soft damp cloth. As such, there are a lot of parts to contend with and it’s not the easiest to get to grips with at first. But once you’ve put down the lengthy instructions, it’s perfectly user-friendly. Aside from the steriliser functions, I love that this product comes with a MAM anti-colic bottle and pacifier and that it takes the worrisome calculations out of preparing bottles by keeping milk (or food) at the perfect temperature for 45 minutes. Our editors have highlighted these through research supported by the recommendations shared by our experienced parents in the BabyCentre Community.