Sterilising a dummy takes about five minutes with boiling water, or 15 minutes with cold water sterilising tablets. You should sterilise every dummy before its very first use and then regularly until your baby is at least 12 months old. There are several methods to choose from, and the right one depends partly on what your dummy is made from.
Before First Use
Every new dummy needs to be sterilised before it goes anywhere near your baby’s mouth. Packaging isn’t sterile, and residue from the manufacturing process can linger on the surface. The simplest approach: bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, drop the dummy in, and leave it for five minutes. Remove it with clean tongs and let it air dry completely on a clean surface or towel. This same method works for routine sterilisation going forward.
Boiling Water Method
Boiling is the most straightforward option and requires no special equipment. Fill a saucepan with enough water to fully submerge the dummy, bring it to a boil, and keep the dummy in the water for five minutes. Let it cool completely before giving it to your baby, and allow it to dry thoroughly between uses. Trapped moisture inside the teat can encourage mould growth over time, so give the nipple a gentle squeeze and shake after sterilising to push out any water that’s collected inside.
One important caveat: this method works well for silicone dummies, but natural rubber latex dummies are more delicate. Latex should be scalded rather than boiled. That means pouring boiling water over the dummy in a bowl and letting it soak for about five minutes, rather than keeping it in a pot of actively boiling water. Sustained boiling degrades latex faster, making the nipple sticky or misshapen.
Microwave Sterilisation
If you have a microwave steriliser case designed for dummies, this is a quick hands-off option. Add about 30ml of clean tap water to the case, place one or two dummies inside with their teats submerged, and lock the case securely. Microwave on high power (750 to 1000 watts) for four minutes. Let the case and its contents cool completely before opening, then carefully pour away any remaining water.
This method is only suitable for silicone dummies. Latex dummies should not be microwave sterilised, as the concentrated heat breaks down the rubber. Always check the packaging or manufacturer’s guidance if you’re unsure which material your dummy is made from. Silicone tends to feel firmer and looks transparent or semi-transparent, while latex is softer, more flexible, and typically amber or honey-coloured.
Cold Water Sterilising Tablets
Cold water sterilising tablets are especially handy when you’re travelling or don’t have access to a stove or microwave. Dissolve a tablet in cold water following the packet instructions, fully submerge the dummy, and wait at least 15 minutes. Items can stay in the solution for up to 24 hours, so you can prepare a batch in the morning and pull dummies out as needed throughout the day.
After removing a dummy from the solution, rinse it with cooled boiled water before giving it to your baby. Updated safety regulations now recommend this rinsing step to remove any chemical residue from the sterilising solution.
Electric Steam Sterilisers
If you already own an electric steam steriliser for bottles, you can pop dummies in alongside them. Most units run a cycle in under 10 minutes and keep contents sterile for several hours if the lid stays closed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for water levels and placement. As with microwave sterilisation, this method is best suited for silicone dummies. Check whether your latex dummies are rated for steam sterilising before using one.
How Long to Keep Sterilising
The NHS recommends sterilising all feeding equipment, including dummies, until your baby is at least 12 months old. By that age, your child’s immune system is more developed and they’re already putting plenty of non-sterile objects in their mouth. After 12 months, washing dummies with hot soapy water and rinsing well is generally sufficient for everyday cleaning.
When to Replace a Dummy
Sterilising only works if the dummy itself is still in good condition. Both silicone and latex dummies should be replaced every four to six weeks, regardless of how well you’ve been cleaning them. Before each use, give the nipple a quick pull in all directions and inspect it closely. Replace the dummy immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Swelling or enlargement of the nipple
- Discolouration or changes in the surface texture
- Stickiness, which is common in ageing latex
- Cracks, tears, or brittleness in the material
- Changes in shape that don’t spring back when released
A damaged nipple is a choking hazard. If it fails the pull test or looks different from when you bought it, throw it away. No amount of sterilising will fix a dummy that’s breaking down.
Preventing Mould Between Uses
Water trapped inside the teat is the most common cause of mould in dummies, and it happens easily during sterilisation. After every clean, hold the dummy with the nipple facing up, squeeze the nipple between your thumb and forefinger, and shake gently to push water out. Any remaining droplets will evaporate if you leave the dummy to air dry on a clean surface. Storing a damp dummy in a closed container is a recipe for mould, so always let it dry fully first.