What Age Can You Stop Sterilising Baby Bottles?
If you're wondering when it's safe to stop sterilising your babyโs bottles โ youโre definitely not alone! Itโs one of those questions that seems like it should have a straightforward answer, but interestingly, the advice actually varies quite a bit depending on where you live.

Why the Difference in Advice?
Different countries have different public health guidelines based on local environments, healthcare priorities, and access to safe water. So, while some parents are told they can stop sterilising bottles at 3 months, others are advised to continue until 12 months.
Hereโs a quick look at what the guidelines say in various countries:
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- New Zealand: Theย Ministry of Healthย recommends sterilising bottles and feeding equipment until your baby isย at least 3 months old. After that, washing thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinsing well โ or using a dishwasher โ is considered sufficient for healthy babies in homes with clean drinking water.
- United Kingdom: Theย NHSย advises sterilising bottles and teatsย up to 12 months of age, as babiesโ immune systems are still developing, and milk residue can breed bacteria.
- Australia: According toย Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, sterilising is recommended untilย 12 months of age, especially since milk is a rich environment for bacteria to grow.
- United States: Theย CDCย notes that sterilising is important forย babies under 3 months, those born prematurely, or with weakened immune systems. For healthy babies over 3 months, daily cleaning with hot soapy water or a dishwasher is usually sufficient.
So What Should You Do?
The key message? Follow the advice of your own healthcare provider or your countryโs health authority. If youโre living somewhere with access to clean drinking water and caring for a healthy, full-term baby, sterilising may not be needed as long as it once was โ but if youโre unsure, itโs always worth checking in with your Plunket nurse, midwife, GP, or pediatrician.
And if you find comfort in continuing to sterilise โ thatโs okay too! Thereโs no harm in being cautious, and every parent finds their own rhythm.
Iโll be honest โ I was an enthusiastic steriliser, probably far longer than necessary! But eventually, I realised my baby was happily mouthing toys, floors, and all sorts of not-so-sterile thingsโฆ so I let go a little.
Just remember, every familyโs situation is different, and the best approach is the one that feels right for you, based on good information and gentle support.
You can stop sterilizing the bottles when the baby is put on the floor to play or learning to crawl. They will get germs down in that area from touching things anyway.