Stop sterilising for 11 month old abroad?

[Ems0]

I am travelling abroad with my little one for the first time for a week in Europe.
On our return, it will only be a week away from her first birthday.
is it worth transitioning her over to cows milk a few weeks earlier so that we don’t need to sterilise etc when we are away? (Was planning to stop at 1).

would save taking quite a few things away I.e sterilising equipment, formula, flasks etc - but just interested to know others thoughts.

I would

Sounds sensible

I absolutely would. We tried with DD and she was having absolutely none of it, so we ended up lugging it all with us so it didn’t spoil the holiday (but if we had been at home we would probably have just powered through).

Is the water safe? I would if that was the case

I would make the transition before you go, because some children need a slow transition and may not like cow’s milk.

I would too. Makes it do much easier. If you decided that it wasn't practical nearer the time you could do away with the sterilising aspect at least and it would still be a lot easier.

I did exactly this and would completely recommend it!

I wouldn’t sterilise just use a dishwasher or very hot water but I would bring formula. Our eldest wouldn’t touch cows milk abroad because she didn’t like the taste.

I stopped sterilising when DD began to shove any random floor rubbish in her mouth, about 7 months old I think.

Thanks all! Hadn’t thought about the fact she might not even like cows milk so thanks for tips - I was more focused on the safety aspect of killing off the bacteria from the formula.
I think I’ll try and do that and see how we go :-)

I didn’t sterilise when one was 10 months and the other 11 months.

Doesn't she have cows milk now? Cereal / cheese / Butter. We introduced at 6months as part of the weaning price as.
DS1 and DS2 both started at 6 months. Yogurts / cheese / Butter and milk in cereal.

1 month earlier is no big deal.

I agree 100%
Just the other day DS2 had nabbed DS1s sandals and was chomping on those 🤮😖
I took them away as soon as I saw it. But I just hope makes for a stronger immune system

@MixedBananas she does have cows milk but just a little bit of wheetabix or porridge, sauces or cheese. But not a whole bottle of milk so I guess she could be more fussy with that - not that we’ve had any issues so far so will hopefully be OK.

Yes all sorts going in her mouth now so don’t sterilise anything else - only her bottles as understand it’s the residue from any formula that can carry a certain bacteria which is harmful but…we have a dog and I’ve certainly seen her holding one of her toys etc so - also hoping for a strong immune system 😂

@Ems0 DD was the same - practically inhaled yoghurt and cheese, happily chomped her way through cereal with milk but offer her milk as a drink…absolutely not. She’s 2 now and sometimes asks for milk. We didn’t have any in the house the first time she did!

I also sterilised until we were off formula - we had a collapsible bucket with lid for cold water sterilising if away for a few days (less awkward to pack than the proper Milton bucket), but also the microwave bags which are really easy when she was down to just a few bottles.

If you do switch to cow’s milk a little early, it’s worth knowing one of the most important things in breast milk and formula is fatty acids/Omega 3. So feed baby some salmon!

My health visitor said that you didn’t need to sterilise past 6 months as long as you were washing up well. I was still breastfeeding once or twice a day at that age but took cartons of formula for the remaining feed when we went away; I assume they still exist and it saves worrying about boiled water etc. I would get them used to room temperature very quickly if they’re not already.

@LuluDelulu oh that’s handy as she really
enjoys salmon!

@angelcake20 oh that’s interesting to know - I can’t see it doing a huge amount of harm a few weeks early as will likely chuck everything in a dishwasher.
And she’s good with room temp milk 👌🏼

thanks for all your help ladies!

We breastfed but DC1 didn’t drink milk for a year after he stopped feeding. He didn’t like cows milk so we gave him cheese, yoghurt and milk in cereal etc for calcium. He drinks milk now but I wouldn’t worry about it if she doesn’t take it.

Packing a few Milton tablets takes no space.

What? You think you sterilise because of milk residue? You do understand that if there is any left over residue and you put it in the steriliser, it won’t make it sterile as the residue is there? Things have to be clean first.

Who told you that you need to sterilise formula bottles for an 11 month old?

Just have a think OP. If she’s putting dog toys in her mouth (and dogs like to lick their arses etc), do you think a clean bottle is higher risk that a dog toy? Or the floor she crawls on that you walk all over?

@BuffetTheDietSlayer it’s the current NHS advice.

Literally the NHS:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/sterilising-baby-bottles/

Formula can carry the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii which can only be killed at 100 degrees - so whilst yes it would be clean from
the dishwasher, the steriliser kills off any remaining bacteria.

However, yes I agree that the household itself cannot be and isn’t a sterile environment so there will be many germs and bugs about - it’s purely about the bacteria that’s in the formula hence why it says feeding equipment only.

Probably aimed at those people that think no need to sterilise means no need to clean.
If there is milk residue left in the bottle it won’t be sterile after sterilising.