Sterilising breast pump - until what age?

[footyfan]

I've been exclusively bf my 7 month old, so am clueless about bottles / expressing.
I am going away for 1 month and during that time will need to leave my dc, so will need to express.
I will be in a hotel, so won't have access to a microwave and was wondering if I need to sterilise the pump still at 7/8 months? How about bottles (or can I just give a cup)?
I guess I can take Milton tablets, but wanted to check if it was necessary!
Thanks.

Not necessary to sterilise breast pump if baby is 7 months old IMO. Make sure you wash all the parts in hit soapy water each time and you'll be fine.

Hot soapy water!

Great - that's what I thought. When he's licking the floor it does seem a bit pointless!

I agree that a proper hot wash with detergent and a good brush should be fine.

But sterilising bottles and expressing equipment isn't actually about the age of the baby. It's about the fact that milk residues (actually formula far more than breast milk, but does apply to both) can allow bacteria to breed. And pumps and bottle teats have more nooks and crannies for bits of milk to lurk than, say, a plate, so more likelihood of a problem. It's an issue about the type of item, rather than the age of the baby per se.