Dummies and nipple shields going sticky

[PurpleCurtain]

My DS is now 10 weeks; until about 4 weeks ago we were using dummies and nipple shields fairly regularly, so they were permanently sitting in the big bucket of milton we have in our kitchen.

As we are now no longer using them, I thought I'd take them out of the milton and air dry them and put them in a cupboard, in case we do use them again. But 24 hours of air drying later, they are all still incredibly sticky, and a bit cloudy (the teats and shields had turned white in the milton, but have mostly cleared whilst drying). Are they safe to use again or should I bin them all and start again if we end up needing them again at some point?

It happens if you leave them in for a long time. If latex will need binning but I had some silicone pump parts that appeared to go back to normal.

I would probably bin anyway, if they can be replaced easily.

Sorry, I don't know if they are definitely safe. Try washing them to see if the Milton residue comes off.

Why were they permanently sitting in Milton? That's a bit much, the latex has probably broken down, I definitely wouldn't use them again. Nipple shields or anything used with breastmilk doesn't need to be sterilised if baby was full term and healthy, just washed in warm soapy water.

@Garman

Why were they permanently sitting in Milton? That's a bit much, the latex has probably broken down, I definitely wouldn't use them again. Nipple shields or anything used with breastmilk doesn't need to be sterilised if baby was full term and healthy, just washed in warm soapy water.

When I say permanently I mean we have 10 nipple shields 10 dummies and would go through the process of use, dishwasher, milton until next use... so some of them may have been in the milton a long time until next use if that makes sense. What should I have been doing - air drying and storing in a cupboard when out the dishwasher, then putting in the milton 15 minutes before next use?

I first pumped and used nipple shields in the hospital when baby was one day old and was told then to use milton, so have felt more comfortable continuing with that.

@purplecurtain my baby's dummy has also gone the same way! I was told for the teats if I have a clean sterilised container anything that's been sterilised can be kept in that, in the fridge, for 24 hours and remain sterile. X