Best way to steralize bottles

[Rachaelf37]

Hi, I'm hoping to breast feed but will do some bottle feeds. What is the best way to steralize bottles? Do I need a steamer or can I steralize them with Milton? Thanks

My DD used a cold water steriliser with DGS1, and will use it again when DGS2 is born in February

Microwave steamer is fantastic! They are cheap to buy and quick to sterilise, just watch the steam when opening it.
They don't need sterilising tablets etc just plain tap water. You wash ur things in hot water then put into ur microwave steamer - easy!

I second the cold water steriliser. So simple to use. I used it with my daughter and will use it with my son when he is born

I have bought the Milton steriliser. It can be used as a cold water steriliser and a microwave steamer.

For formula or expressed milk? You don’t need to sterilise bottles of expressed milk. I had prem twins in , pump and bottles washed in hot soapy water and rinsed only.

I have always used a tommie tippie microwave steriliser so easy to use and can just be stored in the microwave when not using x

I just put mine in dishwasher on a high setting

I have used an electric steriliser which is lovely and quick but it is a bit of an investment
I have used a little microwave one for travel and same result and less expensive
I don’t like the after taste the cold water tablets leave ( tried it out to see what it was like )

That’s just me though

Good luck with breastfeeding though and congratulations

Dishwasher if you have one, I used to put my breast pump and nipple shields in there too

If you're using breast milk no need to sterilise.

For formula I'd use MAM bottles or similar.

I use a cold water steriliser now, I had no idea you didn't need to for expressed breast milk. Anyway I had a steam one for DC1 and it was a pain if you needed the bottle straight away as it was obviously incredibly hot.

To contradict the pp’s who said you don’t need to sterilise it using breastmilk, that’s not what the nhs suggests. I’m not sure if that used to be the advice but I’ve just had my second baby and we discussed this with my NCT class and my midwives.

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/practical-tips/expressed-milk-your-questions-answeredO

Thanks for all the replies :) the cold water sterilising, is that fine with tablets or Milton?

@Rachaelf37 Milton comes in either a liquid or tablet. I find tablets easier as there's no measuring required. Just pop a tablet in the water and Bobs your Uncle for 24 hours

I use the MAM bottles as you don't need a separate steriliser. Just pop them in the microwave with some water it. I like not having to wait for all the bottles to be used before putting a full steriliser on

@LauraPalmersBodybag my twins are five , the NICU is one that takes the most premature/sick babies. The nhs advice online and what happens in practice in special care is not always the same.

My first post should have said, I had twins in NICU.

I love my nuby electric steriliser. It drys the bottles too. Very easy to store.

We used a cold water steriliser with Milton tablets, and will do the same once baby no 2 arrives.

We didn't want a bulky contraption on the kitchen worktop so that ruled out the electric ones for us. Initially we just used a large tupperware box and the appropriate amount of Milton liquid, until we were sure we liked the cold water method. Then we splashed out about £15 on the lidded Milton box and used the tablets to save on measuring all the time. I think they're cheaper than the liquid too.

I liked that I could just chuck stuff in throughout the day and retrieve it 15 mins later. Used it for dummies and teething toys etc.

Used the Philips Avent steam steriliser with DS. DD is due in April and will be seeing if it works ok and will be using it again

Microwave sterilizing is convenient as you can just pop it in for a specific time. MAM does sell self-sterilizing bottles.

The NHS advice about sterilising for breastmilk has just recently changed in Scotland to say not necessary. I guess it hasn't filtered through to England yet (or been updated on the websites). My health visitor mentioned it and it's on the Scottish breastfeeding hub (FeedGood).

Here's the relevant info. It's a Scottish Government website.

We were told to sterilise everything related to expressing on the post natal ward (England). I have a MAM microwave steriliser (agree about the aftertaste of sterilising tablets/fluid - we use them for our sports bottles) and while we haven't sterilised every single time for expressed milk, I generally have been doing it once a day just to make sure we haven't picked up any nasties from the house!

@Weathergirl1 - I am pregnant right now in England and have been told by my midwives and pediatrician that the guidance has changed for expressed milk and will be reflected on the NHS website eventually. There is no need to sterilize bottles any more and in fact it may be healthier for babies not to.