sterilising - how long for?

[beela]

My DS is 5.5 months and ebf, with the odd bit of puree here and there. I express milk so that DP can give him a bottle at bed time, which they both enjoy.

I don't really mind the pumping (although occasionally feel like a cow), but the sterilising I find a real faff. Given that everything is going into DS mouth at the moment, whether it's meant to or not, do I need to keep sterilising the pumping stuff and bottles, or is hot soapy water enough at this stage?

You don't need to sterilise with bm at all. Hot soapy water or dishwasher is fine. :)

Brill, thanks :)

Hot soapy water will be fine! I do the same!

what about with formula only fed babies? how long do you sterilise for??

Astra - if you are using powder I wouldnt bother, as the second the powder touchs the bottle it is no longer sterile anyway. Very good wash with hot soapy water is the order f the day.

If you use ready made then I would steralise to six months, but that is just me being ultra cautious.

Errr, if using formula I would sterilise. Apparently you are supposed to sterilise all bottle equipment for formula feeds until 1 year old. It takes a few minutes in the steam steriliser so not a hassle.

But yeah, a really good wash in hot soapy water and rinsed should be fine for EBM as EBM is sterile.

TB - powdered formula isnt sterlie though? Doesnt that mean that the bottle is unsterile the second the powder hits the bottle?

I am trying to seach for that MASSIVE thread about not needing to steralise, but can find the bloomin thing!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/91585-imho-and-the-opinion-of-microbiologists-there-is-no-need - taadaaaaaaaaa!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/91585-imho-and-the-opinion-of-microbiologists-there-is-no-need

The bottle is unsterile the moment anything hits it - air, powder, ready-made formula. The idea of sterilising is to remove any of the bacteria left on the bottle, so I don't why it is less important with powder than ready made.

However, I also agree that a good wash is as good as sterilising.

thank you for all advice!

bacteria on the bottle mainly comes form milk residue, therefore the most important part in making sure it is fully clean. Air and water are not that unsterile, the main risk is with the formula itself.

PenguinArmy - thank you for saying what I was trying too :)