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Original poster

Breastfeeding and sterilising/bottles

52 replies

bobble53 · 27/09/2019 18:18

Hi, I’m 30 weeks and just trying to plan ahead! I want to breastfeed but don’t know anybody else who has so feeling a little lost with questions.

I’ve bought a breast pump and I’ve also bought the MAM bottle starter set just in case and for when I want to express.

Do I need a steriliser? It seems pointless buying a £70 steriliser or so if I’m not exclusively bottle feeding.

Thank you and any tips welcome x

OP posts:

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Cuppa12345 · 27/09/2019 18:21

You don't need a steriliser for breast milk only. It's for formula that you'll need it. Jot soapy water is fine! If you do want to sterilise anyway you can boil or get steriliser tablets that dissolve. Save yourself the kitchen counter space and the money of a big steriliser I say!

horse4course · 27/09/2019 18:23

If I were you I'd research what you'd buy but only actually get things if you need them.

It's best to focus on establishing breastfeeding, getting your supply up etc, before you introduce other things like expressing, unless you really need to (latch problems and so on).

I think also having a list of people/places to go is useful - lactation consultant, local breastfeeding groups or counsellors.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 27/09/2019 18:25

You definitely don't need to buy a steriliser at this stage. You don't have to sterilise with breastmilk, and if you do end up wanting to sterilise a very occasional bottle you can do a cheaper option like microwave sterilising pouches.

The shops will also 100% still be open after you deliver, and if you end up deciding to switch to bottle-feeding you can buy a steriliser then.

horse4course · 27/09/2019 18:26

@Cuppa12345 I think the official advice is to sterilise even for breastmilk? At least for first few months. Once your baby is rolling around licking the furniture there's not much point!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/sterilising-bottles/

PuffHuffle5 · 27/09/2019 18:30

We had Mam bottles - they can be sterilised in the microwave if need be, they were great for when we travelled away to visit family.

Bol87 · 27/09/2019 18:31

I’m pretty sure you always need to sterilise bottles regardless of what milk.. ?! Breast milk is sterile itself but surely you still need to serialise the bottles one any milk is exposed to air?!

You can use Milton tablets though? Or look for a second hand one if you hope to not use one for so long!

autumnleaves99 · 27/09/2019 18:35

You can sterilise the MAM bottles in the microwave without the need for a steriliser.

Pinkywoo · 27/09/2019 18:36

I'm planning the same when my baby arrives in three weeks, and have bought a milton cold water steriliser for £15 with tablets.

Cuppa12345 · 27/09/2019 18:36

You can sterilise everythingamd anything but if you're putting breast milk in something, it doesn't need sterilising

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 27/09/2019 18:38

I breastfed my DS but used bottles of expressed milk occasionally. I just bought a cheap washing-up basin and soaked the pump components and bottles in water using a Milton tablet. Totally fine for occasional use. I wouldn't bother with a steriliser machine unless you formula feed.

One tip for BF is to get a cheap hand pump - I found when my milk came in my boobs were so full it was hard for baby to latch! A quick expressing helped both of us.

DeReynolds · 27/09/2019 18:39

My child was in intensive care for the first few weeks of life, couldn't latch so I spent my time expressing. In hospital they use basic Milton tanks. I picked one up when we got home for £15. If it's good enough for sick babies then it's worth the investment.

Teddybear45 · 27/09/2019 18:55

Do you have the Self-sterile MAM bottle that can be heated in the microwave? If so no need for a steriliser.

Jsh125 · 27/09/2019 20:23

Definitely don't buy a steriliser just yet - £70 is a lot to spend on something you may not use. I breastfed mine but had trouble initially so topped up for a little while & we used the bags you can put in the microwave like someone else has said.
If you completely bottle feed then I'd imagine it is worth it but if at this stage you're not sure then I'd hold off until baby arrives

Unknownanon · 27/09/2019 20:51

You can buy sterilising bags from boots. If you have a microwave they are great. About 4 bags per pack and each bag does 30 rounds sterilising.

ScrubDubdub · 27/09/2019 20:53

we bottle feed and dont have a sterlisier - the mam bottles go in the mocro and sterlise there they some with instructions

Notlostjustexploring · 27/09/2019 21:02

We mix fed and I can recommend a combination of mam bottles and just boiling to sterilise various bits. A stock pot works well for a large batch.
Although regarding pumps, I can definitely recommend a haaka or similar. No moving parts, so much easier to clean and sterilise and surprisingly effective. Also cheap enough to be worth the initial gamble!!

nomeslice · 27/09/2019 21:11

I breastfeed and 10 month old DD has a bottle of expressed milk at nursery or when I leave her with family. I boil my pump bits and her bottle on the stove after they have been through the dishwasher. I was given a steriliser which I used at first but I found it took up too much counter space and was more faff than it was worth for the handful of bits I was putting through it occasionally so I packed it away. Save your money and dont bother. Hope all goes well.

Fluffsmum · 27/09/2019 21:32

You don't' need one.

I don't sterilise for breastmilk, I was told it wasn't necessary by the milk bank so have never bothered, a good wash in hot soapy water is sufficient.

Breastmilk isn't sterile.

Coconutbug · 27/09/2019 21:55

No if using for breast milk it doesn't need to be sterilized just washed with hot soapy water.
With regards to steriliser if do end up wanting one I would recommend seeing if you can pick one up second hand. Facebook marketplace is great for stuff like that. I get most baby stuff second hand tbh.

CellarFloor · 27/09/2019 21:58

Pick up some steriliser tablets just in case so if you do happen to need bottles in a pinch you can use any clean large container

Falafel19 · 27/09/2019 22:43

If baby is full term and healthy you don't need to sterilise anything for breastmilk.

Angelinthenightx · 27/09/2019 23:02

U will need to sterilise your breast pump everytime u use it ,so unless your not going to use your pump or bottles then dont get one but if your plan is to use those then u will need one
Im going to breast feed & still got a steriliser incase i need to use bottles at anytime & for dummie.

Horehound · 27/09/2019 23:05

You don't need to sterilise for breastmilk!
I have a 5 week old and found this out 3 weeks ago. Felt a bit silly!

Horehound · 27/09/2019 23:06

@Angelinthenightx

U will need to sterilise your breast pump everytime u use it
You don't. Hot soapy water is fine.

Horehound · 27/09/2019 23:08

@nomeslice
Why would you boil after a dishwasher cycle? Dishwashers are sterile! Anyway, you didn't even need to do that, just a wash in hot soapy water would've been fine. What a faff for you.

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