Standards of Cleansing and Sterilization of Infant Feeding Utensils in the Home

Abstract

Microbiological standards achieved by mothers when sterilizing babies' feeding utensils in the home were studied in the Slough area in England. Results indicated a marked improvement in this aspect of baby hygiene when compared to results of a similar survey conducted in the town of Reading, England, in 1970. Previously, 78% of bottles and 70% of the teats were recorded as being satisfactorily sterilized. During this study the number of sterile bottles had risen to 98.1%, sterile teats to 90.6%. These improved standards may be an indication of better education of mothers.