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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Sterilising bottles - is it really necessary and how long for?

129 replies

NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:17

DH and I are debating this at the moment. The NHS and WHO advice is to sterilise bottles and other feeding equipment for a year. But in his country (EU, good healthcare) they say sterilising isn't necessary. I can see both sides of the argument but I'm leaning towards sterilising at the tiny newborn stage, just in case. But how long should we do it for? A year does seem excessive, I was thinking about 3 months...

If anyone could share experiences and/or advice (or even evidence/research on the subject) I'd appreciate it!

TIA

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 17/02/2017 14:18

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Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:20

(If it makes a difference, my plan is to do a mixture of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding expressed milk... if it works out! I don't know if there is a greater need to sterilise when formula feeding...)

OP posts:
Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:21

Wtf quite? What's your problem?!

OP posts:
Wishiwasmoiradingle2017 · 17/02/2017 14:21

Daily mail gonna love this one...

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:22

Ah you think I'm a journo because of that news story. I'm honestly not (search my posting history if you want!)

We've been discussing it over the last few days and the news story was interesting timing to say the least. I read it with a pinch of salt.

OP posts:
Sweets101 · 17/02/2017 14:22

Quite said exactly what I was thinking.
Why would you not sterilize? Confused

kel1234 · 17/02/2017 14:23

As long as you use formula you should sterilise bottles and teats.
However things like teething rings and similar is until 6 months.
I can't believe you think it's excessive. It's about the safety for your child.
Whichever form of sterilising you use, it really doesn't take long at all.
My lo is 17 months and has been exclusive formula fed from birth, and will be having toddler formula until he stops having milk. We will sterilise his bottles until he stops having them (probably around 3 years of age). I cold water sterilise using Milton fluid.

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:23

My username doesn't help does it Grin

OP posts:
ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 17/02/2017 14:23

Is this anything to do with current news story which is going on about how child was taken into care allegedly because "parents wouldn't sterilise bottles" and now are suing social work?

anyname123 · 17/02/2017 14:23

Obviously your husband knows more than the WHO and NHS, so do whatever you want to do with your newborn baby Confused

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:24

"Why would you not sterilize?"

If you genuinely believe it's unnecessary... I'm not saying it is, I'm just asking the question. Why the fuck is that so unacceptable?!

OP posts:
TheMasterNotMargarita · 17/02/2017 14:25

We are just beginning to wean and have been told to sterilise all feeding equipment until 6 months then afterwards not to bother Confused.
DS is 5 1/2 months. Not sure what magically happens in 2 weeks! I haven't sterilised. Any spoons.or.bowls and he's been fine.
I will however still sterilise the bottles as we got easy peasy microwavable ones that.only.take a few.minutes. once he's drinking from a cup I won't bother.

Soubriquet · 17/02/2017 14:25

Sterilising is necessary

At least for a minimum of 6 months

Lugeeta · 17/02/2017 14:26

I think if it's breastmilk there is no need to sterilise, I never did but if using formula I probably would for the first 6 months or so. Or wash the bottles in the dishwasher and that will sterilise them?

savagehk · 17/02/2017 14:26

Personally, I never 'sterilised' bottles when using EBM. I washed them in hot soapy water, with a dedicated set of gloves & scrubbers used only for that purpose. (We didn't have a dishwasher at the time). I would sterilise for formula.

FATEdestiny · 17/02/2017 14:29

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Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:32

"Or wash the bottles in the dishwasher and that will sterilise them?"
Hmm
Washing the bottles doesn't sterilise them.
Obviously we intend to wash everything.

It seems that people think it is more necessary for formula than breast milk. (I did say in my second post that I intend to feed breast milk if possible.)

OP posts:
Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:33

FATE
ODFOD. Or at least read my posts.

OP posts:
Babyiwantabump · 17/02/2017 14:36

According to la leche league sterilising is required always with breast milk when expressing.

I always sterilise everything when giving EBM . Even now when baby is 13 months .

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:37

Thank you baby

Finally a constructive answer

OP posts:
Pointeshoes · 17/02/2017 14:38

I express and use formula for my twins- just sterilise the bottles and don't be so lazy! It's not worth your baby being ill over.

MagicMoments22 · 17/02/2017 14:38

washing bottles in the dish washer will not sterilise them

Babyiwantabump · 17/02/2017 14:38

Plus - expressing is hard! I wouldn't want to risk ruining a batch of EBM by not sterilising equipment used .

It doesn't take long to sterilise pumps etc - mine has a microwave box that takes 6 minutes .

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/02/2017 14:39

Pointe
"don't be so lazy"
Fuck off
I'm asking a fucking question

OP posts:
IntoTheDeep · 17/02/2017 14:40

Sterilising bottles isn't particularly taxing.

We used an electric steam steriliser when we used bottles. Quick and easy to use, just put the washed bottles in, turn it on, and they're sterilised in 10 minutes. We've used cold water sterilisers (with the Milton tablets) in hospital, and that's also very easy to use. We followed the UK advice on sterilising things.

The most time consuming bit for us was washing the bottles in hot soapy water, and that's something you'd need to do even if you weren't sterilising bottles at all.

I don't know how necessary sterilising is, if you've washed your bottles well, but sterilising bottles is so easy that I can't see any point in taking the risk to your baby of ignoring the official advice on sterilising.