Sterilising when away for the weekend.

[Sarahplane]

I want to take the kids to visit my gran. This will involve around a 4 hour journey on two trains and then a taxi at the other end so luggage will have to be kept to a minimum. Ds is 9 weeks and has 5 or 6 bottles a day so will need some way of sterilising them. We will be staying in a travelodge or somewhere similar so won't have access to a microwave and our Milton steriliser is massive so can't take that. I was going to give up and not go until ds is older but it seems such a shame. There must be a solution. Maybe small electric steriliser? Can anyone give any suggestions?

[zinfandel]

Something like this

I'm sure they sell something similar in bigger Boots stores too

[Sarahplane]

Thanks Zinfandel I'll look into them. I didnt realise you could get them.

[CointreauVersial]

I was about to suggest bags

Or just take the Milton tabs and ask your gran for an old ice cream tub or similar - there's no rule which says you have to sterilise in a Milton unit.

[amistillscary]

I used to use large freezer bags.

Keep them closed with a food bag clip.

Fill with water, drop in a sterilizing tablet and Bob's your uncle!

[puffling]

Put the bottles in a large saucepan of water and a milton tablet.

[ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern]

You don't actually need to sterilise at all. You just need to make sure the bottles are washed thoroughly.

[BertieBotts]

Buy a lunchbox from the supermarket - one of the airtight tub kind - and some milton liquid (the tabs are a PITA to split).

Would it be worth looking in to staying at a B&B? They would probably have a microwave you could use to sterilise baby stuff, especially if it's a small, family run and/or child-friendly one. Or somewhere self catering.

[AnxiousElephant]

At 9 weeks you definately need to sterilise! Milk sits in the teats and bacteria grow if you don't sterilise! Best way is buy steri tabs from the chemist and use one of your nans pans to put them in.

[Sarahplane]

Thanks guys, I think sterilising in a pan was what I used to do when dd was a baby and we went down to stay with gran. My gran's now in a nursing home so we'll be staying in a travel lodge or somewhere end then going to visit her in the home, that's what makes it so difficult not having access to a kitchen. sorry should have explained that better.

I think the bags might be the best option. Does anyone know if you need to rinse things off or of its like Milton and doesn't need rinsing?

[recall]

If you by the actual brand Milton, it doesn't need rinsing. Some other sterilising tablets, such as Boots own brand do.

[Sarahplane]

Thanks I think million tabs and freezer bags are the way ahead instead of the boots sterilising bags then.

[ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern]

AnxiousElephant - no you DON'T if you clean the bottle thoroughly there is NO milk in the teat FGS. Try doing some research on washing properly it before spouting nonsense.

Sarah - of course you have to do what you are comfortable with :)

[Eglu]

I was going to suggest disposable bottles, here. We used to have one and a carton of formula in the car always just in case.

[bettieblue]

How about one of these, i have a similar one, very handy.

www.amazon.co.uk/Babytec-2200-Compact-Travel-Steriliser/dp/B004IYIHQ8/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1319567521&sr=1-1-catcorr&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21.

Look at all three pics as it looks quite big in the main picture but it packs up smaller.

[ginmakesitallok]

I agree that you don't need to sterilise, just make sure bottles are washed well in hot soapy water. I remember reading on here that in hospitals they don't sterilise for little premature babies.

[annalovesmrbates]

Disposable bottles and cartons of milk is an easy, faff-free way forward?

[AnxiousElephant]

Chipping you cannot see milk bacteria, I'm a HV which means it is my job to know the correct guidelines and I would contest that I have read much more in this respect! For a small baby (under 1 year) bottles should always be sterilised. From 6 months there is no need to sterilise spoons, cups or plates/ dishes or dummies. Not sterilising bottles leaves babies susceptible to gastric infections which is dangerous at such a young age. I suggest you educate yourself by reading the WHO document on causes of infant death in the developing world - mostly diarrhoea and vomiting/ malnutrition due to inadequate clean water and sterilising facilities.

[AnxiousElephant]

ginn they most certainly do sterilise in hospitals! Although not for formula because they use preprepared bottles which are disposable - all expressing equipment is sterilised.

[AnxiousElephant]

The research review by Renfrew (a leading paediatric clinician) on this page in 2008 highlights the need to sterilise. She is based in Cambridge, so clearly there is a need, even in the UK. scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&q=bacteria+infant+bottle+teats+europe&btnG=Search&as_sdt=0%2C5&as_ylo=&as_vis=0 Apologies I can't get the full text link anymore as I have no ATHENS account at present.
The Birth to Five book is also based on the latest available research evidence and takes into account bias etc. Only the most reliable studies are included.

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

The guidlines in this country are that you should sterlise [until at least 6 months?]

Whether you need to or not is a debatable point. I know there is a long standing thread to this effect in breast and bottle feeding section. Personally I wouldn't trust myself to be thorough enough and as a result I wouldn't have been comfortable enough at that age not to sterilise (and I am a microbiologist). But that is my opinion and my choice.

The other option I would consider though in those circs would be to wash really thoroughly immediately after a feed (less chance for bugs to grow). Rinse in boiling water after washing and then soak in boiling water for 5 mins immediately before making up and using feed. I guess that would be my personal compromise.

My experience is that the hospital I was in with my premies they were absolutely pedantic about sterlility although I can believe the other sign of hte coind too.

[startail]

Personally I'd take a sandwich box to prop the freezer bags up in. The other thing you need is a large 500 ml bottle (buy some water at the last station). You need a way of measuring volume to get the Milton the right strength.
I had a bottle designed to take frozen breast milk bags and that was great because you can sterilise teats and locking rings in a very small plastic box.

[startail]

Most travel inns are connected to pub restaurants etc, be cheeky ask if they have a plastic ice-cream tub you can borrow

[misty247]

I am going away for the weekend and staying in a travelodge with our 5 month old. Could I use sealed freezer bags and sterilising tablets to sterilise whilst there? I'm thinking its a lot less to pack. I've seen the disposable steriliser bags boots sell for £9.99 for 7 and it got me thinking.. What's the difference?

Would love to hear if any of you have tried this before
Thanks

[unimaginative13]

Buy a lunchbox and put stuff in it then put in your suitcase x