To sterilise or not

[Olahaha2021]

So i have been told by hospital and 2 midwives that you do not need to sterilise breast feedong equipment including bottles. Just hot soapy water. However, all nhs online guidance states you do.. Feeling confused. Any thoughts on this?? I have been but have been home expressing feeding for 9days and finding it hard going. Not even managed over the door tzr and trying to cut my work down to make this happen!!!

[LabradorFiasco]

Hi OP - congratulations! I too exclusively pumped for 9 days until baby’s tie was cut, because he wouldn’t latch. God it was hard work.
I personally did not sterilise. Breastmilk is naturally antibacterial, so if your equipment is only ever in contact with breastmilk (ie no mixed feeding with formula etc) then I went with the evidence base that suggests you don’t need to bother if your baby is healthy and full term.
I also kept my pump parts in the fridge between pumps, only washed them up every other pump. Which bought me a couple of hours each time.
Wishing you all the best 😀

[Fleur405]

Personally I prefer to sterilise (because I had a nicu baby and it became a habit) - I use microwave steriliser bags and have multiple sets of pump parts so it’s reasonably quick/convenient. That said, it is less important to sterilise with EBM than formula because the latter is sterile when fresh and properly stored.

[Same1977]

I have been pumping for 5 months now.I pump and put everything in the fridge throughout the day and wash sterilise in the evening.Join facebook exclusively pumping group. This is a known trick as at the start youpump Min 8 times a day and it's just too much

[Olahaha2021]

Thanks @LabradorFiasco .we deserve medals don't we?? It is so hard going. My DD was induced at 36+4 weeks and had jaundice so had no choice for first week. Now better and gaining weight so I'm hoping eventually she will be strong enough to just want on the breast and then that cuts out even the washing part!! . I honestly feel like a dairy cow just now 😂😂. That's reassuring that you were told same thing. Funny how there is nothing on the nhs guidelines online re same. Was starting to think I had imagined it!!!

[Olahaha2021]

Thanks everyone xxx

[Olahaha2021]

@Same1977 thanks for that👍