What is the deal with sterilising? and boiled water to drink?

[KatyMac]

It seems to keep changing

When DD (she is 10 now)was little it was sterilise everything until 6m/crawling

I'm sure I read recently that you didn't have to do boiled water after weaning

What's going on??

BTW I am a childminder so I need actual info/research rather than opinion iyswim as I will have to PROVE to OFSTED that what I do is right

you don't need to sterilise, but you do need to boil water to make up formula -however Ofsted are a law unto themselves so I'd try to get a look at their guidelines if you can!

They don't do guidelines - they make you find out yourself & then prove it ?

Current guidelines on making up formula is that the water has to be freshly boiled when you add the powder and should be given straight away, not made in advance and stored in the fridge.

No idea about tap water as a drink, I know I gave unboiled water from quite young but don't know what the official guidance is.

There is a thread on here with advice from the paeds (or even the microbiologists) at St George's Hospital stating that it is not necessary to sterilise anything at all, even from birth, providing you follow basic hygiene practice. I think it's by RTKangaMummy, I'm sure if you search her name and 'sterilise' it will come up.

Good ole OFSTED, eh?

I thought so

I will check tomorrow

Thanks

I'm not stalking you katymac...honest

but DoH leaflet here

Thanks - it's actually for water not bottles

I sterilise the bottles but thought when you started water it didn't need sterilising (not stored/no milk to feed germs)

Can't see the point of sterilizing a cup for a crawling baby.....but I will investigate as this is the rule which has come down from on high

I think the advice is to use water that is cooled to no less than 70 degrees (ie for half an hour) as there may be germs in the milk powder. I think this stands whatever age the baby is. I certainly still do it that way for my 11 month old, although I never sterilise the bottles.

It's on page 5 of that leaflet.

I just had a quick google and the consensus seems to be 6 months, from most countries and 99% of the sources - so presumably thats accepted as correct

Milk is sorted this is water to drink - no milk posder so no germs

Thanks Jamila

i will look tomorrow (I promise)

Lets get this sorted

The mums sterilize the botles
I make up the bottles using the 70 degree advise

I give babies water to drink

Should the babies have boiled water to drink?
Should the cup be sterilized?

as far as water is concerned,katy, and cups - if they're over six months, don't need to boil water and don't need to sterilise cups- just good old fashioned hot soapy water, paper towel to dry

tap water can be given as a drink from 6 months - I dont think the cup needs to be sterilised (well I didnt for water - the water is boiled for formula to kill the bacteria in the formula)

**from the food standards agency website:

For babies under six months old, take water from the mains tap in the kitchen and boil it.

**from babycentre website:

Tap water should be boiled for babies up to six months of age. After that it can be offered straight from the mains supply.

Thanks guys