Where do you store pacifiers and bottles?

As a parent, you likely have many pacifiers and bottles that need proper storage. Proper storage is important to keep these items clean and easily accessible when you need them. In this article, we will explore the best places to store pacifiers and bottles in your home.

Table of Contents

Pacifier Storage

Pacifiers can easily get lost around the house if you don’t have a designated place to store them. Here are some of the best places to keep your baby’s pacifiers:

Pacifier tree – Pacifier trees are special stands designed to hold multiple pacifiers. They often have branches or pegs to hang pacifiers from. This keeps them all in one spot and up off the floor.

Drawer organizer – Use a drawer organizer or divider in a kitchen, bathroom or nursery drawer to hold pacifiers. This keeps them contained in an easy access spot.
Basket – A cute basket on a shelf or table works great for holding clean pacifiers. Just be sure it is up and out of reach from pets.
Cabinet – Designate a cabinet or shelf in the kitchen to house pacifiers. A small bin or box helps keep them contained.

Diaper bag – Keep an extra pacifier or two in the diaper bag for on-the-go. Consider a pacifier pod or specially designed case to keep it separate from the other contents of the bag.

When choosing pacifier storage, make sure it is breathable, washable and keeps pacifiers separated from each other. This will prevent damage and keep them clean. Here are some other tips for pacifier storage:

Wash pacifiers often – Pacifiers pick up dirt and germs easily. Follow manufacturer instructions and wash pacifiers at least once per day.

Inspect for damage – Check pacifiers for cracks or tears before each use. Damaged pacifiers are safety hazards.
Never share – Each child should have their own pacifiers. Never share or borrow someone else’s.
Buy extras – Have at least 2-3 extras on hand so you always have a replacement ready.

Bottle Storage

Like pacifiers, bottles need specialized storage between uses. Here are great ways to store baby bottles:

Drying rack – Let cleaned bottles air dry upside down on a dish drying rack. Separate rack levels help bottles stay separate.
Bottle organizer – Special bottle organizers for cabinets or countertops keep bottles, nipples and caps separated for drying.

Bottle sterilizer – An electric bottle sterilizer cleans and dries bottles. Bottles can be left in it between uses.
Zipper bag – Store cleaned bottles in zipper bags in the fridge to keep parts contained and separated.
Bottle warmer – Some bottle warmer appliances have storage baskets to hold bottles upright.

Proper bottle storage prevents mold and bacteria growth. Keep these tips in mind:

Completely disassemble – Take all bottles fully apart for cleaning. Store pieces separately.
Dry thoroughly – Ensure bottles and parts are completely dry before storage. Trapped moisture breeds germs.

Refrigerate breastmilk – Expressed breastmilk should be refrigerated or frozen immediately in properly sealed bottles.
Use oldest first – When bottle feeding, use the oldest prepared bottle first to prevent spoilage.
Protect nipples – Store nipples upright or in a sealed container to prevent damage.

Nursery Storage Ideas

The nursery is a great place to store pacifiers, bottles and other baby care essentials. Here are some nursery storage ideas:

Cubbies – Wall cubbies or shelving units with fabric bins are perfect for storing multiple pacifiers and bottles.
Caddy – A rolling caddy with baskets underneath can hold supplies and be moved around the nursery easily.

Wall racks – Mounted wall racks with hooks allow you to hang pacifier pods, nipples and bottles to dry.
Basket – An open bin or basket on a shelf is ideal for holding extra bottles, formula, etc.
Cabinet – Use a nursery cabinet, dresser or armoire to store bulk packages of bottles and extra parts.

When organizing the nursery, store items near where you use them. For example:

Near changing table – Place pacifiers and travel-sized bottles near the changing table for easy access during diaper changes.
Near rocker – Store spare pacifiers and a bottle or two by the rocking chair to have handy during feeding time.

Near sink – Have drying racks and bottle scrub brushes available near the nursery sink for washing.

Kitchen Storage

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it makes sense to store key baby items there. Here are smart ways to store pacifiers and bottles in the kitchen:

Utensil organizer – Store nipples, caps and pacifiers in a countertop utensil organizer near the sink for washing.

Drawer organizer – Use a divided drawer to separate bottle parts,pacifiers and nipple brushes in a kitchen drawer.
Wall rack – Mount a wall rack near the sink to hold bottles upside down for drying.
Pantry – Store unopened packages of bottles, extra formula and bulk pacifiers in the pantry.

Cabinets – Place daily use bottles, nipples and caps in a designated kitchen cabinet near the sink.

The kitchen often becomes bottle central when you have a newborn. Here are some tips when storing infant feeding supplies in the kitchen:

Contain spills – Storing bottles and formula in sealable containers or bags contains any leaks or spills.

Watch for falling – Ensure wall-mounted racks are securely installed to prevent bottles from falling.
Consider others – Be mindful of roommates or family members who use the kitchen. Keep baby items contained.
Clean before and after – Always clean kitchen surfaces thoroughly before and after bottle preparation.

Take apart – Dry bottles are safest when stored fully disassembled.

Bathroom Storage

The bathroom often gets overlooked for bottle and pacifier storage, but it can be a convenient spot. Here are clever bathroom storage ideas for baby supplies:

Medicine cabinet – Place pacifiers, nipples, caps and small bottles in a medicine cabinet near the sink.

Wall shelf – Install a wall mounted shelf to hold an organized pacifier box and extra bottles.
Shower caddy – Use a shower caddy or hanging shelves inside the shower to hold bath time bottles.
Under sink – Store bulk packages of extra bottles and parts in bins under the bathroom sink.

Drawers – Use bath drawer organizers to hold bottles, nipples and other bath essentials.

When storing baby items in the bathroom, keep these tips in mind:

Limit moisture – The humid bathroom can lead to mold growth. Store bottle parts fully dry.

Avoid contamination – Keep diaper pails, trash cans and toiletries separate from feeding supplies.
Clean first – Disinfect sinks and surfaces before placing bottles and pacifiers.
Consider climate – In hot, humid climates, drying cabinets may be needed to fully dry bottles.

Watch the tub – Keep bath bottles sealed and finished bottles away from the tub to avoid soap or water contamination.

Diaper Bag Storage

Diaper bags hold a lot more than just diapers. Here are tips for storing pacifiers and bottles in your diaper bag:

Interior pockets – Use interior zippered pockets to hold cleaned pacifiers and nipples.

Insulated bottle holders – Pack prepared bottles in insulated bottle pockets to keep them cool.
Sealable bags – Place extra pacifiers and nipples in plastic zipper bags to contain messes.
Exterior pockets – Keep a bottle in an exterior pocket for easy access while on-the-go.

Bottle sleeves – Protect bottles and prevent other items from touching them by using neoprene sleeves.

Be sure to follow these diaper bag safety tips:

Pack prepared bottles – Only pack bottles that are pre-filled with breastmilk or formula. Do not carry empty bottles.

Watch temperatures – Avoid letting pre-made bottles sit at unsafe temps for over 2 hours.
Separate sections – Use bottle and pacifier bags to keep clean items away from used diapers and other dirty items.
Sanitize often – Clean and sanitize diaper bag interior and bottles after each use.

Restock for each trip – Check that you have all needed supplies before leaving home.

Travel Storage

Traveling with a baby means carefully packing feeding supplies. Here are smart ideas for storing bottles and pacifiers while traveling:

Pacifier pod – Compact, portable cases allow you to keep multiple pacifiers without taking up space.

Formula dispenser – Pre-measure formula at home and pack in formula dispensers with snap-on lids.
Cooler bag – Use an insulated cooler bag and ice packs to transport and store pre-made bottles.
Dishpan – Place bottles, nipples and parts in a sealable dishpan or rigid container for organization and protection.

Breastmilk storage – Pack frozen breastmilk in insulated freezer bags or hard sided milk storage containers.

Follow these tips for safe bottle and pacifier storage while traveling:

Pack plastic – When flying, plastic bottles and parts are safest to avoid breakage.

Seal lids – Tape or seal lids on bottles, formula dispensers and breastmilk to prevent leaks or spills.
Limit time – Prepared bottles should be used within 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Bring extras – Pack twice as many bottles, pacifiers and parts than you think you’ll need.

Watch temps – Store bottles requiring refrigeration in insulated bags with ice packs.

Daycare and Babysitter Storage

When leaving your baby with a sitter or at daycare, you’ll need to transport bottles and pacifiers. Use these storage ideas:

Wet/dry bag – Pack bottles in a sealable wet/dry bag with an ice pack to keep milk cold.

Bottle wrap – Neoprene bottle wraps allow transporting multiple bottles without clanking or tipping.
Formula dispenser – Pre-measure formula into disposable dispensers so sitters can easily mix bottles.
Pacifier pod – A pacifier case lets you send multiple spare pacifiers without losing them.

Bottle warmer – Provide an electric warmer for sitters to quickly heat refrigerated bottles.

Also follow these guidelines:

Label everything – Put your child’s name on bottles, formula containers, pacifiers and bags.

Send extras – Provide extra bottles, formula, pacifiers, nipples and parts in case of spills or damage.
Include instructions – Provide clear, written bottle prep and feeding instructions.
Send cleaning supplies – Provide dish soap, bottle brushes and drying rack.

Discuss safety – Make sure sitters wash hands before feeding and follow safe storage.

Storing and Warming Breastmilk

Proper storage is especially important when handling expressed breastmilk. Follow these guidelines:

Storage Location	Duration
Countertop, fresh milk	Up to 4 hours
Insulated cooler bag	Up to 24 hours
Refrigerator	Up to 4 days
Freezer inside refrigerator	Up to 6 months
Deep freezer	Up to 12 months

Tips for warming stored breastmilk:

Thaw frozen milk – Thaw overnight in the fridge or under warm running water.
Use warm water – Place sealed bottle in bowl of warm water to gently raise temp.
Don’t microwave – Microwaving can create dangerous hot spots in milk.

Shake gently – Swirl bottle to blend milk after warming.
Test before feeding – Always test heated milk before feeding to baby.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Regular, thorough cleaning keeps bottles and pacifiers safe for baby. Here are best practices:

Handwash only – Do not place bottles or pacifiers in the dishwasher.
Hot, soapy water – Wash items immediately after use in hot water with mild soap.
Bottle brush – Use a specialized bottle brush that reaches all edges and corners.

Nipple brush – Use a small nipple brush to scrub inside and out.
Pacifier wipe – For a quick clean, wipe pacifiers with a soapy washcloth between uses.
Sanitize weekly – Fully submerge bottles and parts in boiling water for 5 minutes to sanitize.

Air dry – Ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembly or storage.

Take bottles and pacifiers apart fully between uses for the most effective cleaning. Focus cleaning on crevices, threads and any textured surfaces where milk or drool can collect. Replace heavily used pacifiers and bottle nipples regularly.

Replacement Schedule

Bottles, nipples and pacifiers should be replaced routinely for safety. Follow these guidelines for replacement:

Pacifiers

Every 2-4 weeks – Pacifiers take a lot of use and should be replaced often.
At first signs of wear – Look for cracking, tearing or distortion of shape.
After illness – Replace after infant illness to avoid reinfection.

When damaged – Throw away immediately if pieces detach or come apart in your baby’s mouth.

Bottle Nipples

Every 3-6 months – Nipple holes can stretch out with regular use.
IfSluggish flow – Slow dripping can indicate need for a new nipple.

If excess leaking – Leakage around nipple is a sign of abnormal wear.
If discolored or torn – Look inside nipple hole for cracking or discoloration.

Baby Bottles

Every 3-6 months – Bottles develop small cracks and crevices over time.

If worn – Look for cracking around the neck and threads.
If discolored – Staining inside bottle can be a sign of bacteria buildup.
If damaged – Discard immediately if bottles become chipped or have broken pieces.

Conclusion

There are many effective storage solutions to keep baby bottles and pacifiers organized, clean and safe. Finding a system that works for your home and lifestyle is key. Be sure to regularly wash and sanitize, inspect for damage, replace when needed and use storage methods that separate clean items from used. With smart storage habits, you’ll always have pacifiers and bottles conveniently on hand when your little one needs them.