In the market for a sterilizer for your baby in Singapore? From boiling and steaming to UV options, we list our favourites in one quick easy read.
When bub finally arrives after a long nine-month pregnancy, there’s a whole heap of paraphernalia we parents need to fork out for. From prams and breast pumps to cots and clothes, the list goes on. And one thing you need to consider? A sterilizer. Yep, health experts advise parents to sterilise all our babies’ feeding equipment – bottles, teats, pacifiers and so on – until they’re age one. Why? Well, those tiny babies of ours are more susceptible to illness, so stopping potential nasties from entering their systems is super important. So where to start? Lucky for you, we’ve scoured the shops in Singapore to find the best sterilizers for baby bottles et al to help.
Can’t I just use soap and water instead of a sterilizer?
Having a baby in Singapore is expensive – fact. Sometimes all we parents want to do is save some money! If you don’t want to spend, don’t fret. Sterilizers aren’t the complete be-all-and-end-all solution – you still have options! You can research options such as renting baby items or boiling feeding equipment yourself.
SingHealth recommends washing all feeding equipment, like pump parts and bottles, in warm, soapy water first. Afterwards, submerge the clean items in fresh water in a saucepan. With the lid on, boil the water for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool down and remove the equipment with tongs or clean hands. It’s now sanitised! You’ll then want to store everything in a clean, covered container until it’s ready for use. Just please be careful if you’re trying to multitask with boiling water (and baby brain) – we speak from experience!
Where to buy the best sterilizers in Singapore
1. Hanil UV Multi Sterilizer Dryer
Move over, steam: there are now UV sterilisers on the market that use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, bugs and germs. Many UV sterilisers can also degerm other kid-fondled items, like toys and household products. Hospitals also use the UV sterilizer approach, so you know it’s a safe route to take. But be warned – these sterilisers are at the costly end of the scale and come with a hefty price tag. The Hanil UV Multi Sterilizer Dryer is top of the pack and has won many awards. Still, we love its sleek design and its low power usage. And, if you know you’re on your first child and want more, you’ll likely get your money’s worth in the long run.
Price: Varies, but expect to pay around $369
2. Philips Avent 2-in-1 electric steam sterilizer
We’ve heard so many positive reviews about this that we must mention it in our round-up of the best sterilizers in Singapore. Mums love the convenience, speed and ease of use of this device: always a plus when we’ve already got our hands full! The Philips Avent 2-in-1 electric steam steriliser is also super compact, so it’s a good option if you’ve got a small kitchen. And let’s face it, who doesn’t in Singapore? It can hold up to five Avent bottles and the job gets done in just 10 minutes, too. So you might even have time for a quick coffee and mum-time moment, too. Hurrah!
Price: $89
3. Pigeon Compact Steam Sterilizer
Us mums never seem to stop moving. So finding a steriliser that’s compact and versatile might be top of your priorities when looking for baby bottle sterilizers. Cue the Pigeon Compact Steam Sterilizer. It’s especially good if you’re often heading ’round to visit the grandparents and need something light and portable! Dreaming about a staycation or trip in the (hopefully) near future? Being so compact, this sterilizer is also great for travel and means no faffing about – all you need is a power outlet.
Price: $58
4. Milton Cold Water Steriliser
Don’t let no electricity or hot water stop you from sterilizing! The Milton Cold Water Steriliser uses cold water and a Milton sterilising tablet or fluid (sold separately) to kill bacteria. You don’t even need to wash the equipment once it’s been sterilised in the liquid. Just grab and go! The tablets or sterilizing liquid are also a great portable option if you’re going to be out and about but still need to stay sanitised. This could also be a great cost-efficient option to keep at another caregiver’s house if you share the childcare load.
Price: $29.90
5. The First Years Simple Steam Microwave Sterilizer
Sometimes you don’t want yet another appliance on your already-crowded counter, messing with your sleek kitchen vibe. When you want the job done in a jiffy but don’t want to be boiling pans of water on the stove (hello, risk factor), look to microwave sterilizers. They’ll get all your baby stuff clean and sanitised, without leaving a huge dent in your wallet. This option from The First Years holds four bottles, plus other small items, and it fits in all standard microwaves. Boom!
Costs: $36 from Amazon.sg
As a side note: You can also buy microwave steam sterilizer bags. While these can be super convenient and quick, they don’t quite sit right with us. Just think of all that single-use plastic – shudder. We reckon it’s way kinder on the environment to go with a more long-term sterilizer solution, but we’ll leave that decision completely up to you.
Now go forth and steam! Happy sterilising…
Top image: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
