Sterilising (from a novice mother)

[Umnitsa]

What do you do with stuff (ie bottles / dummies / parts of breast pump) once it's been sterilised - do you leave it in the steriliser or take out to air dry?

I have a Tommy Tippee steam steriliser and everything is covered in condensation after the sterilising cycle is over. Whilst the manual suggests that if left inside the unopened steriliser, bottles et al remain sterile for 24 hours, I am not sure about all the dampness and the stagnant smell. Plus once I've opened the steriliser to take out one bottle, the sterility of everything else is compromised. On the other hand, presumably air-drying exposes bottles to germs and defeats the purpose of sterilising?? And drying with towels may actually spread the germs...

Apologies for the naive question; I would be grateful for your advice.

I'm afraid I've no idea - which is why, although I'd been given a steam sterilizer, I bought a Milton bucket and keep everything in sterilizing fluid in there.

Will be interested to see what the answer is!

The main purpose of sterilising is to ensure any bacteria which like living on milk are killed. (Which is why you should also wash thoroughly, to remove the milk itself from all the nooks & crannies). It's not necessary to keep things sterile before use like for example in an operating theatre.

For bottles. probably best to put teats on and close up, or even to fill soon after sterilising.

Air drying is best and you can buy gadgets to balance all the bits on (eg. on jojomamanbebe.com).

Inside the steriliser won't get damp/stagnant, because it's been sterilised (if you leave it closed). However I used to tip out the water an leave everything in the open sterilised to air dry, because then nothing is sitting on a flat surface where water can get trapped.

FYI many people also now believe that washing in a dishwasher is sufficient, at least for older babies. (I stopped sterilising at 6 months but still handled all the milk kit carefully eg. using the steriliser tray to air/store it).

More important is probably to be careful about the rules for making up formula, if you use it. This is especially true if you make up bottles in advance.

HTH

Many thanks Catilla, this makes sense!

Personally, I sterilise twice a day, doing 3 bottles at a time. I leave them wet, but put the teats and lids on so any airbourne germs can't get into the moisture. Sometimes I put them in the fridge eg overnight for use in the morning.
I am using formula cartons and open a fresh one every time as I need it. I also dishwasher the bottles, but hand wash the teats to ensure the easivent valve (tommie tippee) is clean.

Thank you, Vickybroxbourne.

i don't sterilise as they didn't on the NICU my DD was on so figured if they don't for the most vulnerable babies then good enough for madam.

I just hot soapy water, good scrub and air dry.

Is fine.