What's the worse that can happen and what should I do?

[PennyDreadful66]

Hi all,

I am posting here for traffic I'm sorry but I'm just really worried, my DS is in his 6th month, he's 23 weeks old and we've started him on some puree food a day, only a bit but he's a big hungry baby which is the reason we've started a bit early, I'm unwell in bed with the flu and my mum is here looking after Ds, she's fed him but hasn't sterilised his bowl or spoon, it's been washed obviously but not sterilised, what should I do? What do I need to look out for? I'm don't know if I'm over reacting but I'm terrified of him getting really poorly, it's my fault as I forgot to mention it but in all fairness I didn't know she'd feed him as I normally do it a bit later on in the day, is there anything I should be looking out for?

I stopped sterilising when I looked down from a sink full of Milton and saw kiddo licking the bottom of my sandal 😂.

@BessMarvin you know the women on here replying have already had kids that age, and are aware of ages and stages yes? What a strange bit of mumsplaining!

I weaned both of mine at 4 months and never sterilised a bowl or spoon op. It'll be absolutely fine.

I’ve never sterilised anything. I never used bottles admittedly, I would have sterilised them, but I never sterilised anything else not even dummies.

[quote CandyLeBonBon]@BessMarvin you know the women on here replying have already had kids that age, and are aware of ages and stages yes? What a strange bit of mumsplaining! [/quote]
I decided to ignore it but thanks haha!

You don't need to sterilise eating utensils at any age. The reason we sterilise bottles is because of the bacteria powder formula carried and it can get in to stubborn spots in a bottle or teat. You don't need to sterilise bottles when using pre mixed formula either although I'd do so with a very small newborn.

It's usual to describe age in weeks up to 1. Then in months up to 2. They change so much during the first year or two it is relevant.

Sorry I disagree. I'd never describe a 9 month old in weeks. I couldn't even be bothered to work out how many weeks that was. I'd say 9 months and maybe 9.5 if it was something that needed specifics. I don't know many people that bother with weeks after 12 but I do see why the OP did as she wanted to demonstrate that the baby was pre recommend weaning age but only ever so slightly.

In America the advice isn’t to even sterilise bottles and teats unless there’s a specific reason, for example premature babies. They just say it’s fine to give a hot scrub in the sink.

@WeatherSystems that's interesting. I wonder if they treat their powder formula so the bacteria risk isn't there or if the risk we are told about in the uk is exaggerated and the sterilising is a safety net to poor bottle hygiene?!

@rantymcrantface66

In America the advice isn’t to even sterilise bottles and teats unless there’s a specific reason, for example premature babies. They just say it’s fine to give a hot scrub in the sink.

@WeatherSystems that's interesting. I wonder if they treat their powder formula so the bacteria risk isn't there or if the risk we are told about in the uk is exaggerated and the sterilising is a safety net to poor bottle hygiene?!

The advice is still to make formula up with recently boiled water (which is what makes powder formula safe) but that sterilising isn’t necessary for bottles. However anecdotally I’ve seen loads and loads of people say that their paediatrician has said it’s fine to make bottles up with hot water or lukewarm water from the tap. I suspect the risk is minute and in the UK they advise being over cautious and in the US they’re a bit more realistic.

Having said that many, many people don’t know how to wash a bottle properly and so I think sterilising is for the best. My husband thought rinsing it under a tap was fine. You need water that’s hot (so to wear washing up gloves), a scrubber for inside the bottle, a specific teat scrubber, and to really give it a go. You’re supposed to do that before sterilising but I think people are usually pretty lax with the washing as they assume the steriliser will catch whatever they’ve missed.

Ah, love you He's spent his first six months living through a pandemic; his immune system could probably wrestle Chuck Norris to the ground at this point.

I wonder if they treat their powder formula so the bacteria risk isn't there or if the risk we are told about in the uk is exaggerated and the sterilising is a safety net to poor bottle hygiene?!

I think it’s massively exaggerated. I think the advice is also pushed from the manufacturers to cover their arses more than anything else - babies getting ill from formula is very bad press indeed and would cost an arm and a leg in compensation, it only takes one case. But it’s not hard to use boiled water to prepare or reduce the risks so I always did.

He'll be reet

You don’t need to sterilise any of the utensils associated with weaning, only his bottles used for formula. I understand the worry as nobody tells you these things. Take care

Ah bless you. Lockdown baby. Have you managed to get out to any groups or meet up with other mums and babies yet? Some groups are starting to meet up indoors now. No need to worry baby will be fine.
You will get lots of conflicting advice so try to take a step back and remember kids are very resilient.
I think most things eaten in a very small quantity won't harm a child. The things to watch for are magnet, button batteries and chemicals like dishwasher tablets and berries/plants in the garden.
I watched horrified when my 13month old ds picked up a live woodlouse of the floor and popped it in his mouth. He grimaced and quickly spat it out before I could get to him.

[quote CandyLeBonBon]@BessMarvin you know the women on here replying have already had kids that age, and are aware of ages and stages yes? What a strange bit of mumsplaining! [/quote]
Er no. I was responding to someone who seemed to not get why people were using different time periods as an age. I know that people with children this age should understand

You get well soon and thank your Mum for helping out.

Seesawmummadaw
I decided to ignore it but thanks haha!

Hopefully the op decided to ignore you mocking her

My lo was breastfed and it never occurred to me to sterilise anything tbh.