Name labels for baby bottles and formula bottles
Put a name label on the smooth side of the baby bottle, beside the measurement scale and not on the teat. A self-adhesive name label can withstand dishwashing up to 60°C, but not boiling or steam sterilisation. Apply it to a clean, dry bottle and let the adhesive cure for 24 hours before the first wash.
Here we explain where the label should go on plastic, glass and stainless steel, what it can withstand, which format suits a bottle, teat and sippy cup, and what else in the bottle kit is worth labelling. We sell self-adhesive name labels and also tell you where they do not hold.
Where baby bottles and gruel bottles get mixed up
At home, no bottle needs a name. It is when several babies meet that they get mixed up: in the parent group, at the open preschool, at baby swimming, during settling in and at Grandma's, where she keeps her grandchildren's bottles in the same cupboard. Many bottles are the same brand and model, and a white gruel bottle looks like all the others.
It is not just about getting back what you bought. You want to know that a bottle and a teat the child has in their mouth belong to your child. A name on the bottle means that whoever puts it away does not have to guess.
Where the name label should go on the baby bottle
A name label for a baby bottle should be placed on a smooth, hard part of the bottle, where no one constantly handles it and where it does not hide anything you need to see. Three places to avoid:
- The measurement scale. You need to be able to read millilitres when mixing formula or gruel. Put the label on the opposite side or below the scale.
- The thread and ring. Where the teat is screwed on, the ring and fingers wear the label away every time the bottle is opened.
- The teat and other soft parts. Self-adhesive labels do not hold well on silicone or stretchy materials. The teat is also replaced as the child grows and needs a faster flow.
| Bottle material | Does the label work? | Where it should go |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | Yes | The smooth side of the bottle, away from the scale |
| Glass | Yes | The smooth side of the bottle, away from the scale |
| Stainless steel | Yes, on the metal | On the steel, not on a silicone protector or silicone sleeve |
| Silicone bottle or silicone sleeve | No, does not hold well | Label the cap or the bottle's hard parts instead |
| Teat (silicone or latex) | No | Label the bottle, not the teat |
If the bottle has a hard protective cap, you can put a label there too. The cap comes off just as easily as the bottle.
How to attach the label to the bottle
- Wash and dry the bottle. The surface must be clean, dry and free from grease. Residue from formula or gruel makes the adhesive stick less effectively.
- Choose a flat surface. On a narrow, strongly curved bottle, a smaller label adheres more easily than a large one.
- Press down firmly for about 10 seconds. Go over the entire label, especially the corners.
- Wait 24 hours before the first wash. The adhesive needs a full day to cure. Label the bottles one at a time so you always have one that can be washed.
What the label can withstand: dishwasher yes, boiling no
Lappus name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, machine-washable up to 60°C and dryer-safe. That is sufficient for ordinary bottle washing. According to 1177 bottles and pacifiers do not need to be boiled or sterilized: it is enough to wash them thoroughly in hot water with dish soap. The bottle can go in the dishwasher, while the pacifier should be washed by hand so it is not damaged.
Boiling, steam sterilization and sterilization in a microwave exceed 60°C and are not included in what the label is designed for. Choose a washing program of no more than 60°C for bottles with labels.
When traveling: 1177 advises boiling baby bottles and pacifiers for five minutes when you are abroad and need to be extra careful with the water. In that case, bring bottles without labels, or expect to replace the label when you get home. Apply the new label to a clean, dry bottle and wait a day before washing it.
Pacifiers, sippy cups and the rest of the bottle kit
The bottle is rarely the only thing that comes along. Pacifiers are easily lost, and they sit in a pacifier box or on a pacifier clip that also looks like everyone else's. When the child gets older, the baby bottle is replaced by a sippy cup and straw bottle, and then the same thing starts all over again.
On a pacifier, place a small name label on the hard plastic shield, never on the pacifier itself. Read more in our guide to labeling pacifiers and other small items. Check the label when you wash the pacifier. If an edge starts to come loose, remove the label and apply a new one. Keep the sheet out of reach of children under 3 years old and attach the labels for the child.
Checklist for the bottle kit:
- Baby bottles and formula bottles, on the bottle body
- Protective caps for bottles
- Pacifiers, on the shield
- Pacifier box or pacifier case
- Sippy cup and straw bottle, on the hard parts
- Measuring container for formula or baby cereal powder
- Thermos with water for the bottle
- Cooler bag or bottle bag, on a hard surface or the care label
Which format for what
All labels in a set have the same text, so you choose the size based on what is to be labeled.
| Item | Format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Baby bottle, formula bottle, sippy cup | Name labels (regular) | Visible from a distance and fits on the bottle body |
| Pacifiers, narrow bottles, measuring container | Small name labels | Fits on the nipple shield and narrow surfaces |
| Bottle bag, changing bag, thermos | Large name labels | Larger surface, space for name and phone number |
What should be written on the label?
The child's first name is usually enough. A design helps staff and grandparents find the right bottle without reading. If siblings use the same bottles, you can write the surname instead. A phone number on the second line is suitable for the bag, which may be forgotten on the bus or in the park.
Example calculation: how many labels are needed?
An example calculation for a child who has a bottle during the day and formula in the evening. The quantities are only an example:
- 4 baby bottles and 2 formula bottles: 6 labels
- 6 protective caps: 6 labels
- Sippy cup, pacifier case and thermos: 3 labels
There are 15 standard name labels. A set has 124 labels and costs from SEK 139, approximately SEK 1.12 per label. The bottle kit therefore uses labels worth approximately SEK 17, and the rest is enough for clothes, shoes and other things needed for preschool. Label pacifiers with small name labels. More about the price per label is available on the page about cheap name labels.
When the label comes loose and what to do then
- Washed before the adhesive had cured. The most common mistake. Apply a new label and wait 24 hours.
- Moisture or grease under the label. The bottle was not completely dry. Wash, dry and apply a new one.
- Boiled or steam-sterilized bottle. This exceeds 60°C. Replace the label after the trip.
- The label is on silicone or soft plastic. It will not hold there. Move the label to a hard part.
- The edge is being worn away by the ring. The label is too high. Move it down onto the body of the bottle.
If the labels still do not hold as they should, our satisfaction guarantee applies for 60 days from delivery. More details about washing clothes and dishes are available on the page about wash-resistant name labels, and everything else that needs labeling before starting preschool can be found under name labels for preschool.
Rule of thumb: label hard surfaces made of plastic, glass and metal with self-adhesive labels. Do not label soft silicone parts at all, and bottles that you boil or steam-sterilize regularly are not suitable for a self-adhesive label.
Frequently asked questions
Is a name label on a baby bottle dishwasher-safe?
Yes, Lappus name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C. Let the adhesive cure for 24 hours before washing for the first time. According to 1177, the bottle can be washed in the dishwasher, while the nipple should be washed by hand.
Can you boil or sterilize a baby bottle with a name label?
No, boiling and steam sterilization exceed the 60°C the label is designed for. According to 1177, bottles and pacifiers do not need to be boiled or sterilized at home; washing them thoroughly is sufficient. If you boil the bottles while traveling, replace the label when you get home.
Where do you put the name label on a baby bottle?
On the smooth side of the bottle, away from the measurement scale and below the thread where the ring is screwed on. Never put it on the nipple or a silicone sleeve, as it will not stay there.
Can I put a name label on pacifiers from MAM or Philips Avent?
Yes, on the hard plastic shield, not on the pacifier itself. Use small name labels so the label fits. Check the label when washing and remove it if an edge comes loose.
Should I buy pacifiers with names or use name labels?
Pacifiers with a printed or engraved name are bought as new pacifiers, and they are suitable if you were going to buy new ones anyway. You put name labels on pacifiers and bottles you already have, and the same set is enough for clothes and shoes.