Which steriliser should i use!?!?!

[MZmama]

Hi All,

Ok - i am a mum to be, due September 3rd and last time i had a quessie about my 2 door car, i posted it and so many wonderful mums helped me out..

I have a steriliser question and need some advice as i have had SO many mixed responses.

Firstly i would really like to breastfeed as long as i can but want a steriliser obviously for if i decide to express and if unfortunately all doesnt go to plan and i start using formula.

I thought about using the milton as it is the cheapest and also the bottles last for 24 hours but have heard they smell and taste like bleach which puts me off.

A normal steriliser/microwave steriliser seems like a good idea, although expensive and only stays sterilised for 2 hours, is there any way to prolong the life, maybe removing them from the steriliser and storing in airtight container etc?

I also heard that people dont bother sterilising any more and simply wash them with HOT soapy water and be done with it, but am scared of this approach unless recommended by others..

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks so much,
Em

[Refresh]

Yep, I personally wouldnt bother steralising, I think some exposure to germs is a good thing. As long as everything is washed and aired properly, you'll be ok. If it doesnt feel right, then I would go with a steam steriliser, I really dont like the idea of washing baby stuff in chemicals (Milton) - that seems worse to me than the germs!

I dont know about prolonging the life but if you are breastfeeding you will probably find you dont need to use it that oftne anyway:)

[MZmama]

Thanks Ffrenchstar!

I might take your advice and just carefully clean and store, like you said some germs are good.. it makes me feel better knowing other mums do it...

Maybe i'll try pick up a cheap microwave one on Ebay just in case!!

xox

[Foxy]

I used a microwave steriliser for the first 6 months - for dummies at first and then later for bottles. It was fairly cheap, I think it was around $20 from Target. It was easy to use and very fast. I occasionally used Milton for cleaning toys that would melt in the microwave.

Having said that, I agree that there does come a point when sterilising seems redundant - eg when they are licking the carpet, eating grass etc.

[brooke]

we use the tommee tippee steam steriliser... Its great so easy to use and keeps bottles sterilised for up to something like 8hrs.. we normally sterilise then make the bottles up for the day and store them in the fridge!

Good luck!

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

I am pretty sure Aldi stores have a microwave steriliser advertised in this weeks catalogue for under $15. I have not seen them in store to judge whether they are decent or not but if you have a store near you it is worth a look.

[Mum2Lucas]

We use the pigeon electric steam steriliser. It's so easy to use.

[Mamaduke]

Pur has bottles which are self sterilising.
I bought these and they are fabulous...they are the larger ones with the wider neck (great for putting the formula in).
You simply turn them upside down and stick them in the microwave depending on how many bottles you're sterlising at a time, and they're done!
They even have a nifty little prong device so that you can put the bottle back together without touching the teat with your fingers.
Here's a link to show you what they look like...I bought mine from Target.
http://www.tommeetippee.com.au/p-b-prodpur.asp?id=177&pk=2&sk=21

[SilverStarfish]

I was given a Tommee Tippee microwave steriliser, but it didn't have any instuctions in it! Can someone tell me how much water and how long it needs to be 'nuked' for? :)

It is one of these: http://www.tommeetippee.com.au/p-b-prodfeeding.asp?id=20&pk=1&sk=11

[jkate]

I am pretty sure Aldi stores have a microwave steriliser advertised in this weeks catalogue for under $15. I have not seen them in store to judge whether they are decent or not but if you have a store near you it is worth a look.

Its about $12, and works find. More suited for the long skinny bottles, however you could do 2 bottles like the Avent ones.

[Ange&Seth]

Pur has bottles which are self sterilising.
I bought these and they are fabulous...they are the larger ones with the wider neck (great for putting the formula in).
You simply turn them upside down and stick them in the microwave depending on how many bottles you're sterlising at a time, and they're done!

We use these bottles too and they are so easy!! Whenever we go to anyone's house, we only take one bottle with us coz we can resterilise it in their microwave after it's been used once.

We bought an Avent Electric Steam Steriliser and used it for dummies and the breast pump, but haven't used it in the last 4 months because DS doesn't want his dummy anymore and I don't use the pump.

Knowing what I know now, i wouldn't have bothered with a steriliser personally. Just would've used milton's for the pump and HOT soapy water for the dummies.

Hope this helps!!

[Jackson84]

they have stopped sterilising in pretty much all of the maternity wards/hospitals, except for when a baby/mum has finished with gear - they sterilise so that they can recycle.

i never bothered. my son certainly wasn't any sicker than any other kid.

the way i see it - you dont sterilise your breasts do you? so why bother with the bottle? just make sure it's clean.

oh yeah, and i read somewhere that the chemicals in milton are worse than the germs it gets rid of...

[zenifa]

I was given a Tommee Tippee microwave steriliser, but it didn't have any instuctions in it! Can someone tell me how much water and how long it needs to be 'nuked' for? :)

It is one of these: http://www.tommeetippee.com.au/p-b-prodfeeding.asp?id=20&pk=1&sk=11


I've got one of these and it recommends 4 mins for 1100 watt microwave, so you can adjust the time according to the wattage on your microwave. This steriliser wasn't expensive ($20 target) and was much quicker/easier than my previous method of just boiling everything up in a huge pot. I thought you were supposed to sterilise bottles/teats/dummies until the age of 1?? I mainly use the steriliser for my breast pump (avent) and bottles. I think its a worthwile investment even if you breastfeed (like me) and if you don't use it, you can always pass it on as a gift to a friend having a baby.

[SilverStarfish]

4 minutes? cool.

I assume for there to be steam, I've got to put water in it? How much? Just fill the bottom tray thingy?

I'm breastfeeding and expressing too. I use milton at the moment, but i was thinking the microwave steriliser might be more convenient.

[annb]

I was advised by St John of God hospital here in perth no need to sterilise, just rinse, wash in hot soapy water, rinse, air dry and store in dry cupboard...the microwave sterlising doesnt do any more good than this method, my baby is 15mths old and has lived to tell the tale!

[SilverStarfish]

I got an email from Tommee Tipee company. Turns out it really wasn't my fault about there being no instructions (ie. I'd lost them etc)


Hello Wendy,
Sorry about this error - there are no instructions inside as the packing sleeve claims...
:banghead:

Annb, you're probably right about the hot soapy water thing and I'll lay off the serious sterilising once DD gets a few more weeks on her (she's nearly 6 wks now). DH is a food science and technologist, keeping food & equipment clean is what he does for a living and I suppose some of it is rubbing off onto me:o .....

Totally off thread, the name of the hospital you mentioned rang a bell for me and it took a bit for me to figure out why (as I'm a Brisbane girl). Eons and eons ago one of my uncles was working there doing IT. I remember him telling me that he had to teach some nuns there how to use these "new fandangle computer accessories" - a mouse (see? eons ago!) by playing Solitare.