best bottle sterilisers?

[dandycandyjellybean]

Just a quick query. Although I hope to breast feed, I understand it's best to have bottles and sterilisers etc on standby. My sister recommended a microwave steriliser as quickest and easiest, but given that my micro is out in the utility room and that involves a short walk outside, would I be better off getting one that could be used either in micro or with cold water?

[tribpot]

cubby, I actually think it can be counter-productive to have too much kit on hand in advance, although I did have bottles and a steriliser because my sister-in-law lent me hers (I don't think this is why I ended up bottle feeding, however).

If, as you hope, you bf successfully at some point you will probably need to sterilise bottles for EBM. But if I were you, I would get in some of the Lindam microwave steriliser bags (like this ) and then you've not spent too much money upfront but can sterilise if you need to.

Just my thought. FWIW, I have the Avent 6-bottle steamer, it's pretty good, and a very handy Baby Tec one for travelling.

[matnanplus]

To be honest recent microbiologists reports are that washing with hot [as you can bear] water, dish soap and a through scrub with a bottle brush[i suggest a sponge type rather than bristles] is as good if not better than using a steriliser.

It seems we rely on the steriliser to clean the bottles properly after a cursory wash.

If you want to sterilise i would suggest cold water and milton, milton is the only solution that doesn't need to be rinsed off and has minimal after taste.

All the best.

[kim5145]

Steam sterilisers are best, the Avent one is my fave. If ona budget, cold water tank sterilisers are best but take longer to sterilise and your hands could smell of bleach.

[gingerbear]

If you plan on using avent bottles for EBM, I had an avent microwave steriliser that I thought was the most convienient. I did stop sterilising at 6 months though.

[SoupDragon]

Do you have a dishwasher?

[starlover]

the tommee tippee microwave one can be used with cold water

i have one and it's fab

[dandycandyjellybean]

thanks everyone, lots of food for thought. Where would I be without Mumsnet?

[chipmonkey]

Ditto Starlover on the Tommee Tippee one, also great for travel as the lid locks shut and you can keep all the gear in it! I do find the Avent steam steriliser roomier though.

[eidsvold]

I used a milton cold water steriliser.. made up the solution every morning and could then throw the bottles etc in as they day progressed, aired them dry at night and started again. ( here in Aus)

I had the tommee tippee cold water/mircrowave one in the UK.