Sterilisers - cold water or electric?

[mrsbev]

I am trying to decide whether to go for a steam steriliser or a cold water system (like Milton) for sterilising bottles/breast pump parts and wondered if anyone had any advice? I am a first time mum and don't really have a clue :)

I used a Milton steriliser after having one in nicu.

Used it for pump and bottles and then bottles. Loved it, so easy and convenient. I recommend one to my bf who is now using it for her baby ds

I use a steam one. Did use the tablets whilst on holiday and really did not like the chemical smell that came off them.

Thanks for the advice - seems like there are pros and cons for both methods! Am leaning towards cold water sterilising just from a cost point of view but can see why a steam steriliser would be good too....

Electric steam ones are prone to rusting and perishing of the heat element. Most manufacturers will not do a return on this basis either. Tommee Tippee told me it was down to me not cleaning it or descaling it properly. I've read of various other people having similar problems. Next time I'm going for cold water or microwave!

Used cold water for mine, but arrival of DGS introduced me to electric sterilisers ...and IMO they are simply so much more convenient......if for speed alone.

I tried a cold water one and ditched it after about a week of trying to ensure no bubbles were in the bottles.

I got a steam one which was easy and quick!

I used to descale mine with a little packet of something...

I had a microwave one with ds1 and 2 but have got a Milton cold water one this time and its much easier just put everything in and it's ready when you need it.

My hv & midwife said hot soapy water or hot cycle in dishwasher is fine and no need to sterilise (2006 & 2010). What a relief as I was run ragged with BF expressing and prepping bottles. Before you know it they're licking the carpet anyway!

Yeah if I'd had Dishwasher I wouldn't have used one at all.

I used cold water for DS and steam for DD. I personally preferred steam, no nasty chemical smell, quick and easy. I did have to Descale mine once a month, took 30 mins and the Descaler was cheap enough from boots.

Unfortunately we don't have a dishwasher :( Any particular brands of steam steriliser people would recommend or avoid?

I can vouch for the ease of this one
Even an idiot grandmother can work it one handed, and the cycle is very fast

Sorry if not clear, bottles, teats & pump bits can be hand washed in hot soapy water. Rinse with kettle water if it makes you feel safer. There are draining racks for baby bottles available too. You have to wash them before you sterilise anyway.

Thanks for all the advice, very useful :)

Many years ago now but I had an avent one iirc.

I used an Avent microwave one and stored it in the microwave with bottles in which saved space. I used a cold water one with ds1 but like others have said, didn't like the chemical smell.

I also recommend a microwave steam one. Have used the same one for all three kids.

I swear by the microwave ones - they are cheap and quick and so easy to use (as long as you have a microwave!) We bought an expensive steam one before first baby was born (mistake) and switched to a hand-me-down microwave one as soon as we realised how cumbersome the steam one was. It recently went to a good home on freecycle. Don't waste your money on one!

Microwave here too! Steam ones kept breaking and are bulky on work surfaces.

I started out using the cold water method, but then DH bought me the avent steam one. But I found it so much more of a faff, and went back to my trusty milton bucket, that I could just chuck everything in and not worry about it for 24 hours. The smell didn't bother me, and they use the same method at nursery.

The smell of the Milton bleachy stuff really put me of, ick!

Microwave.

Cheap and easy.