Sterilisers

[TheCatIsUpTheDuff]

Do microwave sterilisers only fit their own brand of bottles, or are they more generic?

I'm 30+5 with DC1, so haven't done this before. The plan is to breastfeed but at some point introduce bottles of expressed milk, so I'll need to sterilise, but hope to pick up a second-hand bargain. I've been given lots of different sorts of bottle that my niece and nephew have rejected, and don't know yet what sort my baby will go for.

Thanks for any advice.

Microwave sterilisers are cheap.. think ours was a tenner. I'm usually all for second hand bargains but this was good enough I thought! We got the avent one and use avent bottles but would fit anything bar the really tall thin ones, I think.

Oh sorry just read again and you're talking about microwave ones! I assumed you meant the monster ones that sit on the bench and are invariably pricier. Sorry!

Me again... I do believe current advice is that you don't even need to sterilise if it's only for breastmilk. Formula yes but not breastmilk. Correct me if I'm wrong but if that's the case then don't bother getting one!

Will leave you alone now!!

How about cold water sterilising? Easy, cheap, and will fit any type of bottle.

Thanks, Brie, I didn't know that - I assumed you had to sterilise everything for little babies.

Canalside, I'll look into those. My friend suggested a microwave one because my kitchen's so tiny it would be handy if it could live in the microwave, but I'll look at the options.

I find my microwave one a breeze. And NHS website says do sterilise regardless... But midwives at BF clinic advised me 2 years ago that it wasn't necessary to sterilise pumps or bottles that were exclusively for breast milk, just thoroughly clean them. Heard them repeating his last week again but up to you if you're worried in the early weeks or if you're told otherwise!

I had an older Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature microwave steriliser and 2nd time around used NUK bottles. The smaller ones fitted fine but the taller ones needed to be slanted slightly to fit but it worked ok.

Yes it's fits whatever bottles you are using. I picked up 2nd hand bargain for £5. It's an avent microwavable one and I don't have avent bottles. I think microwavable ones are best for those who are not using it allot and they are smaller so pack away.

And yes you should sterilise breast pumps and bottles until they are weaned (6 months) after which there is no point.