Disposable pouches create a lot of waste. A lot of parents are switching to reusable food pouches for feeding their babies instead to avoid this. While the new solution is more eco-friendly, another problem arises: cleaning them up after every meal. It’s possible to hand wash everything with a bit of help from a bottle brush and a bit of dish soap. Warm water can help as well in the removal of hardened food bits. You could wash these immediately after feeding or wash them along with the other dishes. Let’s look at each part of the pouch and how to clean them.
The Openings
Some pouches such as those made from silicone tend to have only one opening. These have wide mouths that make refilling and cleaning quite easy. Some are wide enough to reach in while others will require a brush. Reusable food pouches, on the other hand, usually have two openings. A very small one for feeding and a large zipped one for refilling and cleaning. Bits of food can get stuck in and around these openings so make sure that you brush these well. Don’t let black rings of dirt and bacteria form around them.
The Interior
Consider the shape of the interior. If the corners are sharp, then food will probably get stuck. Some can also get stuck along the walls. You have to fill these will water and shake vigorously several times to dislodge. Do this until only clear water runs out of the pouch. If that doesn’t get everything out, then get your bottle brush or even an old clean toothbrush. You can’t let any organic matter remain inside as bacteria and fungi will feast on them. These can affect the health of the baby and give them a bad tummy or worse. Wash in bright light so that you can see everything.
The Exterior
The exterior of the pouch deserves some attention as well. After all, it’s what babies grab onto. Make sure that this is clean all around. Take a look at the bottom since this is where a lot of dirt can gather. It isn’t as clearly seen so it’s easy to miss issues. Wash and rinse the area well. Some parents like to write on the surface of the pouch to identify the type of food inside. This is an opportunity to erase that and get a blank surface for the next refills, whatever those might contain.