Sterilising bottles on holiday (no microwave)

[evertonmint]

DS2 9mo has recently started having bottle feeds at night and when I leave him for a while.

We're going away on holiday for 3 weeks and for most of that won't have access to a microwave. I've never had to sterilise in a hotel before as we've previously stayed in places with microwaves when the older two used bottles, so I'm not quite sure what to do.

I was going to buy Milton tablets as it seems cold water sterilising is the only option. I usually sterilise 2 bottles at a time to cover the night feeds, so didn't want to have to buy one of those single bottle sterilisers as it will be easier to sterilise all the equipment at once but nor do I need one of their big 5 bottle sterilisers. Can I just use any tupperware/old ice cream container that fits my two bottles? Or does it need to be a certain size to include the right amount of water? The website says 5l of water per tablet which is a massive container to fit in my luggage and have lying around! Can I just divide the tablets to fit whatever container I have, or is that not possible?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Surely if you take a container in your luggage which can hold 5l of water, you just fill it up with clothes or whatever in your suitcase, so it doesn't actually take up any space, IYSWIM? I'd do that over buying a special steriliser container...

Or there are these - disposable steriliser bags

At nine months I wouldn't sterilise just rinse in boiling water. In the USA they don't sterilise even from birth.

Doh! I didn't even think of that (bad night with aforementioned baby!) I'll have a look for something big enough in the cupboard!

Those bags look great but too expensive for 3 weeks worth :(

www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tippee-Steri-bottle-Disposable-Bottles/dp/B00ED3CQ16

You need these. No need to worry about sterilising and throw them away when you are done

I wouldn't sterilise at 9montjs either, format he crawl on floor? Far dirtier than a regular washed bottle.

Using a smaller tupperware tub is fine, I used to do this when sterilising my pump (I used milton fluid rather than tablets though) ... but STBS has a point about boiling water doing the job at this age.

I used to have a plastic lunch type box that neatly fitted two bottles, collars and teats. I measure how much water the box held with the bottles in and then worked out how much of a tablet I needed (1/2 in my case). Those bags look great but so expensive, maybe a box of suitably sized ziplock backs would work. Lakeland or Amazon are two stockists.

I wouldn't sterilise at 9 months either. DS's used to stick their germy fingers everywhere at that age and then shove them back in their mouth, I dread to think what was on them. Rinse with boiling water. I guess it's personal preference though.

I just used boiling water to "sterilise" my 10 month olds night bottle in a hotel.

www.kiddicare.com/p/Tommee_Tippee_Essentials_Steriliser.htm?product_id=544840&gclid=CMm4r4Lbm8QCFdPMtAodNywAhg - this can be used for cold water sterilisation

Thanks for the ideas on boiling water being enough. I'm inexperienced with bottles as my older 2 only had them occasionally so I hadn't thought about it. I'm not normally too fussy about hygiene - don't sterilise dummies for example, or clean toys very often or worry about mud eating!

Would you feel the same if I said I'd be washing in Thai tap water? Or should I boil bottled water to clean them if I'm not sterilising as well as for making the feeds?

www.amazon.co.uk/Babytec-2200-Compact-Travel-Steriliser/dp/B004IYIHQ8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top - portable electric one

I have been travelling for 3 weeks and am using Milton tabs in a Tupperware. I have bought those sterilising bags but for emergencies - say if my flights get delayed.

If you can't pack a Tupperware, use a sink. As long as it's not a metallic surface to react with the ingredients you'll be fine.

Happy travels

Not with thai tap water as you wouldn't be advised to drink it. But boiling water I'd think would be okay.

Thanks - this is all hugely helpful!

Hi
When I went away and had to sterilise I got a roll of large freezer bags with tie handles. Then I measured how much water I could put in one, it was a surprisingly large amount! I then I double bagged, filled up, put a tablet in and hung on the hook on the back of the bathroom door.
Worked a treat!!
Have a lovely holiday.
X

Use half a tab of Milton in half the amount of water if you want to use a smaller container.

Excellent idea helgaw!

I'll see if we have anything useful as a container. Will take it from there and bear in mind the other ideas.

Worth making sure your LO is ok with bottles that have been sterilised in Milton... DD wasn't keen at all (and not sure I blame her... The chlorine smell is pretty over powering!). Hope yours is less fussy!