How to sterilise bottles when travelling

Article By
Stu
Published On
15 Aug, 2021
Read Time
1 minute
  • To sterilise bottles when travelling, you’ll either need a microwave steriliser, a self-sterilising baby bottle if you’re only doing the one feed, or sterilising tablets. If taking pre-sterilised feeding equipment with you, make sure to store it in a sealed container or a zip-locked sandwich bag surrounded by ice blocks for it to stay sterile for 24 hours.  

  • To sterilise a bottle while on a plane, kindly ask to use the microwave so you can make use of your microwaveable steriliser. 


Getting out of the house with your baby is a part of everyday life - whether you're going to play in the park, away on holiday, visiting family members, or popping to the shops - but we know it's not always straight-forward. 

Bottle feeding on-the-go needn't be stressful thanks to our travel sterilising range. Practical and portable, these products make sure that your baby's bottles are germ-free and ready to go, so their tummy stays protected when you're away from home. 

Portable Sterilising Solutions

Take a look at some of our most popular and convenient travel sterilising equipment. 

Microwave steriliser

Ideal if you're taking a trip away, our compact Microwave Steriliser is the ideal portable bottle steriliser for travel which uses natural steam to thoroughly clean every surface, so there's no need for chemicals.

Just pop it in a microwave and job done. You can use this for things like bottles, teats, breast pump parts and more. 

Self-sterilising baby bottles

Only need to sterilise one baby bottle? We've got you. A Tommee Tippee bottle can be sterilised in the microwave in just 3 minutes. 

  1. Add 50ml of water, rest the assembled hood, ring and teat on top (but don’t fasten), and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes.  
  2. Add expressed breast milk or formula to the sterile bottle.  
  3. Twist the sterile bottle hood, ring and teat back on, pop off the lid, and feed.  

Sterilising tablets

These are another practical option when it comes to sterilising on-the-go as they can be used with cold water. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and be sure to leave all feeding equipment in the solution for at least 30 minutes before rinsing and drying. 

Explore the Range

Travel Essentials

Sterilising bottles on a plane or in a car

Sterilising bottles in vehicles can be a challenge, especially when you have limited resources. On a plane, you may be able to use their microwave and our microwave-safe steriliser.

However, if you’re on a long car journey, we recommend either taking a break and using a microwave at a service station or storing pre-sterilised bottles in a sealed sandwich bag may work. These bottles will be safe to use for no more than 24 hours if kept with ice packs.

For even more ease, opt for ready-to-feed formula or pre-measure your feeds

Don’t forget, you can also get plug-in travel sterilisers, which may be compatible with your cars USB outlet.

How to store sterilised bottles when travelling

While on the go, storing sterilised bottles can be a bit of a worry. You’ll want to make sure that they stay hygienic and safe for your baby, which is why taking extra precautions is a must.

We recommend storing freshly sterilised bottles in a clean, sealed container or a sandwich bag to keep them germ-free. Make sure to not use the bottle after 24 hours if stored with ice packs.

If at room temperature, use the bottle sooner. As long-term storage of sterilised bottles while travelling, use sterilised disposable bottle liners and ready-to-feed formula. 

Sterilising baby bottles when travelling can be tricky, but with the right equipment to hand to suit your surroundings and being mindful of keeping feeding equipment safe for your baby, you should have every confidence. For more tips on feeding, check out our article on how long can breast milk sit out

Can I use the water abroad to sterilise bottles?

Always check to see if drinking the local water is recommended first. If it’s allowed, then be sure to boil it first but don't use previously boiled water. 

After sterilisation, bottles will stay sterile for 24 hours when stored properly. Remember to put the teats and lids on the bottle straightaway, and wash and dry your hands before handling sterilised equipment.