When to stop sterilising

[pebilz]

We are off on holidays tomorrow and I'm considering whether or not to pack the steriliser. My DS is 4 months and puts everything in his mouth so I'm wondering if it would be ok to not take it? I haven't tried to put it in the suitcase yet but I think it might not fit.

I can't remember when I stopped for my DD.

Thank you!

[Angelmist♥]

Hi Pebilz:wave:

A lot of CHN are now informing people that bottles don't need to be sterilised at all as long as they are washed and rinsed in hot water.

What sort of holiday are you going on? Will there be a saucepan that you could maybe boil them in if you are worried about them?

Have fun, you lucky thing!

[catalicious]

I got told not to stop steralising util after they turn one....

But if I couldnt access a sterilizer sometimes I just washed them boiling water and put it in the bottles with the eats facing down into the bottle for fve minutes then tip t out mae sure you tip the water out though before it gets cold then refill it for the formula water..

[pebilz]

Thanks guys. We are staying in a serviced apartment so I'm sure they'll have a saucepan. Can't believe I didn't even think about that! :rolleyes:

[Shazbutt]

I did it 'til 12 months with DD1 (being the ever careful 1st time mum :rolleyes:), and only 5 months with DD2. I just washed them in nice hot soapy water, and rinsed in hot water too. They pick up so much other stuff, i figure hot water will do for the bottles...hasn't done her any harm...

[Angelmist♥]

:laughing: too excited about going away!I would be too I just noticed your other thread:smiliedance: YAY!

I hope you have an awesome time!

[Widget]

I was told 12 months. For bottles. The food stuff containers and such just say wash in warm soapy water and rinse in hot. But you still sterilise bottles because of the bacteria associated with milk.

My friend doesn't sterlise anymore, she figured that once her son started trying to eat the dog at her Mum's that there was no point.

ETA: DD doesn't put anything but her hands in her mouth so far either...

[Lunar]

They would have a microwave too:yes:
It is 12 months you should sterilize to. I am still sterilizing Kailah's bottles although from minute she ever hit the ground she has been picking up everything and putting it in her mouth... she's my little vacuum cleaner..lol.......but I am stil doing for the simple fact that I know I am putting less bugs in her tummy by doing it, until her immune system is fully developed. Having said that, I'l probably still be sterilizing in a couple of months.... it doesn't take long, and it's no big deal for me.

[kiah]

I don't sterilise. Princess has never gotten sick or had any probs.

I bought self sterilising bottles but forgot to sterilise them. I realised months later after using them and thought...oh well...too late now. It's good coz I sterilised Jayce's til 12 months.

[Billy]

I don't sterilise either :no: CHN told me there is no reason to- just wash in hot soapy water and rinse :thumbsup:


PS Have Fun!!!! (again lol) :D

[Zada]

i stopped at around 2 months:yes:

[Bibs]

I was told 12 months. For bottles. The food stuff containers and such just say wash in warm soapy water and rinse in hot. But you still sterilise bottles because of the bacteria associated with milk.


That's why I sterilise her bottles also. It's really quick and easy with a microwave sterliser.

I'll probably stop doing it slowly within the next few months as I try to get her to drink milk from a cup :fingerscrossed:.

[ZarasMummy]

You can get a sterilising bag from BigW for about $5 which can be used up to 20 times I think. It's great, only takes 3 mins and fits two bottles in!

[Lunar]

You can get a sterilising bag from BigW for about $5 which can be used up to 20 times I think. It's great, only takes 3 mins and fits two bottles in!

Yes! I had these with DD1! they are very handy! I use to take it with us when we stayed over my nan's or boyfriend's (now DH!!) was very handy! I forgot about them!

[Seekrit]

I never bothered steralising :o I was told by midwives and my CHN that hot soapy water, and air-drying is enough.

His bottles get steralised twice a week at daycare though :p

[pinkandblue]

Hi

With DD I sterilised till she was 12 months old.

With DS I never sterilised.

Natalie

[lovingmotheract]

i stoped at 6 months old as i get the huggies e-mail and they said that a 6 months it's ok stop it.

[bekkyboo]

I was stold 6 months, I stopped around then. Garrett eats anything he can get his hands on (including his own poo) so i figure non-sterilised bottles are the last of his problems.

[Miss_Vicki]

Do what you think is right , I Sterilized for 6-12 months with DD1 but DD 2 was bfeed , but by time go to bottles i didnt even concider it , u get more germs from the ait an outings then any thing.

I washin hot soapy water, usally rince an boil the water. I think as a parent u will know whats best from the mixed imformation here.. ;)

[Mrs Dolphin]

I don't sterilise bottles either.... my hospital where I had DD that as long as bottles, dummys etc were washed in hot soapy water, rinsed in hot water (just from tap) and then put in fridge then it is ok.

I have been doing this since we switched to formula at 3weeks old - she is now 3months old and haven't had any problems since. Do u think back in the 'old days' they had fancy sterilises for the microwave! (in fact what microwave!!!)

But if you feel better sterilising them then just boil them in the saucepan as others suggested...but I bet you don't while you are away!! :laughing:

Enjoy your holiday!! :yes:

[goldiegal]

Hi - I rang the parent help line about this one not long ago..if planning to make up milk or store milk feeds then you must steralise! If you store water then you don't have to steralise AFTER 6 MONTHS (wash thoroughly in soapy water) i.e. you make the bottle up just before feeding bubs. As your bubs is 4 months you must steralise..check that your bottles go in microwaves before trying that (microwave steralisers are cheap to buy). Or just go and get milton...but remember plastic only...don't use milton in metal of any sort (like I did for a week!).

[pickles]

In WA hospitals 'teach' mums how to wash in hot soapy water and rinse. I BF , however as i returned to work anything i stored breastmilk in ( fridge or freezer ) i used to sterilize in the reusable bags that the other girls have mentioned.
Having said that electric steam sterilizers are pretty easy to use so i think if i was bottle feeding i would use one out of convienence rather than sterility.

Pickles
DD 02/03
Ds 03/05

[Briswegian]

Apparently there is no significant difference in infection rates between sterilized and non sterilized bottles. Sterilized to 12m with DS1 and a few weeks with DS2 with no problems.
I do always make up the feed right before it's given though and so no milk is stored in the bottle.