Clueless about bottle sterilisation

[HolidaysQueen]

I've just expressed my first EBM today for my 2 week old DS and am also thinking we may try him on formula occasionally. I've got a microwave bottle steriliser and I'm feeling very clueless about it.

The steriliser makes the bottles really really wet. I'm only putting in the recommended 200ml water but the bottles and teats are really wet when they come out of the microwave. I tried letting them sit for an hour or so in the steriliser and then airdrying them for 2 hours but the water didn't seem to dry off at all. Can I just use them wet, or do they need to be dry to be properly sterilised? And is there a difference between how I would use them for formula (which would be made up with water anyway so a bit extra water in the bottle/teat is maybe not a problem) and EBM?

If they need to be dry, any tips? I'm assuming that there is no point drying them with a clean dishcloth as that would just make them non-sterile again. How on earth do I get them to dry if that is the case?

Thanks in advance - feeling very clueless!

Thye should be wet. Steam is wet.

Use them wet. Don't air dry them you will make them non sterlie.

The water that is on them is sterile.

Yip - use them wet as the water is sterile.

One thing though - if you aren't filling them straight away and have taken the lid off the steriliser then you must screw the lids and cap on to keep them sterile.

Don't worry about the clueless thing - once you master one area, another one will come along to leave you feeling clueless!

Thank you! The instructions don't say whether the bottles will be wet or dry when done - not ideal for first timers worrying about their PFBs! - plus science was never my strong point at school... As ever I knew MN would provide the answer