Aside from the steriliser functions, I love that this product comes with a MAM anti-colic bottle and pacifier and that it takes the worrisome calculations out of preparing bottles by keeping milk (or food) at the perfect temperature for 45 minutes. If you’re bottle-feeding or expressing full-time, you’re likely to get through a large pile of equipment in a 24-hour period and you don’t want to spend all of it refilling the steriliser. The box contains five capacious, well-designed bags that can fit two bottles apiece and each bag can be reused 20 times, so they’re much more economical than they might first appear.

Capacity: Four bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastic | Included: Sterilisation unit, bottle/food warming unit, two 160ml MAM Anti-Colic bottles, two 0-2 month dummies, and teat tongs Good for parents who I particularly liked that, with no steam, I never had to worry about bottles coming out hot to the touch. It also has a drying setting and functions as a storage cabinet (its adjustable shelves enable you to customise the layout), blasting its contents every two hours with a five-minute sterilising dose to keep your equipment disinfected and ready at all times. Microwave steriliser bags have also become more popular in the last few years. These are reusable pouches made from a tough plastic and work by sealing baby equipment in the pouch with some water and microwaving for a set time. These tend to be more roomy than the cup model, with the best fitting two bottles in at a time, and able to be reused around 20 times per bag.

I’ve always opted for a microwave one. Very easy, no faff. We use avent bottles do have the avent microwave steriliser." Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Moominmiss Our verdict This only applies to electric sterilisers but is worth bearing in mind nonetheless. Several make loud beeps at the beginning and end of their cycle and some even during, making a dishwasher-like hum.

They are essentially a large, round, plastic box with a screw-on lid, usually with an internal basket to hold the bottles. Water is poured into the bottom (under the basket) and in the microwave it boils to create steam.The type of steriliser that’s right for you will depend on your baby’s routine as well as your environment, so it’s perfectly alright to wait till after the birth – maybe buying a box of sterilisation bags as an interim measure – and assess your sterilising needs in the days and weeks afterwards.

Can only sterilise two bottles per cycle – so if you’re getting through more than four bottles a day it’s fairly labour-intensive Capacity: Approximately six bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Steriliser and teat tongs – larger sets are also available to buy Good for parents who The kit consists of five BPA-free plastic bags, each one reusable up to 20 times, allowing 100 cycles in total which is plenty if you mostly breastfeed. I love Medela’s products (they make the best pump I’ve tried) and even these bags are intuitively designed. If you’re pregnant and unsure how you’ll be feeding, or you’re only an occasional bottle-user and don’t want to find space for a bulky appliance, Medela’s microwave steriliser pouches could be a great option. These would also be handy for days spent at a friend or relative’s home, since they’re so small and straightforward to use (add water, seal, start the microwave).

5. Best travel steriliser: Milton Solo Travel Steriliser

The items are sterile after a manufacturer-recommended 15-minute cycle – the NHS recommends 30 minutes – and remain so for as long as they’re in the solution. Plus, they don’t need rinsing off when they’re needed. Items can continue to be added and removed as necessary over 24 hours when the solution will need to be remade. Ease of use, Ease of clean/descale, Clever Design, Flexibility, Build Quality and Overall Energy Use. Capacity: Five bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Sterilisation unit, one Nuby Combat Colic 180ml bottle and a dummy Good for parents who Dr Browns every time - baby never had wind issues a friend of mine who fosters babies recommended them and we have never had an issue. We also used the Dr Browns steriliser."Tried and tested by Mumsnet user mommybear1 Our verdict