Really Stupid Question

[WhatWillSantaBring]

I appreciate that this is a pretty stupid question, so please don't have a go at me! My question is about sterilising feeding equipment (relevant to both bottle and breast). Why is it so important? Assuming that you follow basic good hygeine principles, and bottles are thoroughly washed and dried (in the dishwasher) - what additional bugs can get into the bottle that your baby can't pick up from breathing the air around it or putting its hand in its mouth?

I understand that babies have lower immunity and, in case you're doubting my parenting skills, of course I am going to sterilise, but it will help me enormously if I can understand exactly why it is necessary.

Also, any suggestions for the simplest method of sterilising on an occasional basis (assuming I'm going to BF) if you don't have a microwave - or is buying a microwave the simplest option? Do you have to use the bottle straight away after sterlising, or can you leave it in the cupboard till its needed? And how long till you stop sterilising? I'm so clueless [hblush]

Take your point about sterilising especially if all washed in dishwasher.

If you do wish to sterilise something anyway the easiest way is to do it in Milton. Make up the solution from a Milton tablet in cold water in a Milton tank, or other big plastic contaimer with lid. Sterilised in 15 minutes, and you can keep things in it until you need them.

Washing in a dishwasher if you use a hot enough wash does sterilise. Just like a sterilser the moment you open it the items are no longer sterile so no you can't keep them in the cupboard until it's needed.

The main reason for sterilising is that milk is very rich and bacteria will grow very quickly in it, so when you put the milk in the bottle you want the bottle to have as little bacteria in it to start with and to use it as soon as possible to stop too much growth. The recommendation is to sterile until they are 6 months old but once they are mobile and putting everything in their mouths I personally think you can be a bit less strict about it.

As for the best way if you don't have a microwave you can buy an electric sterilser that yoy plug in anywhere, there are loads for sale on Ebay. I personally don't like milton as it is a chemical and you are unnecessary chemicals to your baby and when rinsing it off you are introducing more bacteria that live in the water/tap anyway (hence the reason you use boiled cooled water for babies)

We were lent an electric steam steriliser intially, until our friend needed it back. Found it a bit fiddly checking the water level each time, and trying to fit everything in (had a breast pump too, so rarely managed to fit everything in, in one go).

We also tried the plastic steriliser bags you can use in the microwave (until we used Dad's micro, which was little smaller than ours, the bag would not rotate - so the bottle melted a little).

The best, fastest, least hassle method for us was to buy a cheap plastic mop bucket, make up some milton (tabs were easiest), with a tea towel on top in hot weather. I should mention that we have no other children, which is why I wasn't too worried about anyone knocking it over. Whereas now I have a small person who would be desperate to look inside every few minutes!

There's been a thread on here for a long time about sterilising. have a read here

Thanks all and thanks for the link crikeybadger. What a great way to waste the afternoon at work...

Not everyone sterilises anyway - think the American's for one don't bother.

When I worked in a nursery the parents who didn't bother sterilising their babies' bottles were always the doctor/scientist types

My community midwives advised that we didn't need to sterilise so long as everything was washed in hot soapy water as soon as you've finished with it - you're supposed to do this anyway even if you are sterilising.

I still did it anyway though, for breast pump bits and bottles. But I have never sterilised any weaning bits (starting weaning at 6 months) and DD has had water to drink straight from the tap from that age too.

HTH

as far as I'm aware the guidance is to sterilise anything to do with milk up to 12 months as cinnamongreyhound said milk is a great medium for growing bacteria. If you wean before 6 months you also need to sterilise spoons bowls etc but not after 6 months. I use an electric steam steriliser, but I express every day so use it daily. I put the bottles together and keep them in the fridge once sterilised. I then empty the steriliser and give it a wipe. As I use a bottle, once washed I store it in the steriliser and when it is full I put it on again. It really isn't that faffy. For very occasional bottles or whilst away the bags are great but you do need a microwave. There are some bottles you can get which can be boiled on the hob, not sure which ones sorry but do remember reading about them.

I have a medela pump that I boil on the hob for 5mins, easy peasy. Not sure which brand of bottles you can boil but for occasional use it is great as you need nothing.

IIRC I saw something on here lately abouut not needing to sterilise for BM any way as t'is antibacterial but definatly don't take my word on this! I think if using formula it is needed till 12 m as it's an ideal bacteria breeding ground in a way that a dropped toy or even youur floor just isn't (and it is quite likely that there is bacteria in the formula already if made from powder).

Good luck [hsmile]