Sterilising at disney resorts

[jockey]

Has anyone used microwave sterilising bags at a disney resort? I know they don't allow the use of microwave steam sterilisers but hopefully they will allow the bags!

Thanks

 

[poohbear1029]

I used the Medela Steam bags in our DVC villa just last week.

 

[Hannathy]

Wow I didn't think anyone sterilized anything anymore! Do you mean a microwave in your room or at the food court? A the food court the lines to use things can get pretty long so I don't think they would appreciate it if it was a busy time. I don't know how long it takes either because I never sterilized anything.

 

[robinb]

My guess it's for baby bottles.

 

[jockey]

We hope to use the microwave at the food court - first week we are at AKL and second week at GF. It only takes 3 minute to complete the sterilising and it is for baby bottles!

 

[TravelinGal]

I never sterilized things either - except that I did sterilize new items before their first use and after DS was sick.

When we traveled when DS was still on bottles, we would take a small bottle (1 oz generic travel bottle) filled with dish soap. I'd clean the sink well with a disinfectant wipe, rinse and wash his bottles in the room and set them on a clean towel to dry. (3 months old - Las Vegas)

I even did this in Mexico and their tap water is not recommended for drinking if you're not from the area. I would wash and rinse them like I posted above and then rinse really well with bottled water. DS never had a problem with it (6 months old on that trip).

If you have a medical reason that you need to sterilize them, I'd say go ahead and do it, but choose times when the food court isn't busy.

 

[Schmeck]

If you have a medical reason for sterilization, contact guest services for help. The microwaves at the food court are usually in pretty nasty shape - even in a bag, I wouldn't trust anything coming out of them to be 'sterile'.

Also, if using plastic bags, beware of the release of minute amounts of toxic chemicals into the the items in the bag. I wouldn't put a silicon or rubber nipple in a microwave.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I agree with the majority...unless there's a medical reason, this seems like overkill. We have traveled with infants and toddlers of all ages, and always clean bottles and sippy cups with dishsoap in the sink, then let them dry on the counter. No biggie. Unless your in DVC and have a microwave, I think it would annoy others.

 

[jockey]

Thanks guys, It has been suggested that you can stop sterilising at 1 year and DS will be 14 months when we travel however I just feel it's better to sterilise dummies (soothers) as they normally end up on the ground etc! Will maybe look at other options as I am concerned the food court microwaves may not be suitable!

 

[Schmeck]

Unless you're sterilizing your kid's hands constantly (which isn't really recommended!), it doesn't make a big difference if you sterilize or just wash the pacifier - the germs on the ground are also on the stroller, the seats and railings, the ride vehicles, the play areas, and just about everything else you and your child come into contact with...

Unless your child has a compromised immune system (then WDW isn't the best place to go anyways!) sterilizing the environment is actually a good way to create the chance that your child will come into contact with a resistant germ and get really sick.

 

[TravelinGal]

If the main concern is pacifiers, can you get a clip to use that will keep them from falling to the ground? My DS never really took to a pacifier, but I know they make different types that clip onto the clothes but are still short enough to not be a strangulation risk.

In any case, they could be washed in hot soapy water each night back at the room.

Or pack a bunch of them - like 3 or 4 per day! LOL

The 1 year sterilizing thing must be a difference of where we live. I'd wager that 90% of the moms in the US don't sterilize on a regular basis. (just when kids are sick etc)

 

[jockey]

Thanks guys! Sterilising is quite big in the UK but I do see the point that you can be "too" clean! Maybe this trip is a time for me to stop sterilising! Thanks for all your input

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks guys, It has been suggested that you can stop sterilising at 1 year and DS will be 14 months when we travel however I just feel it's better to sterilise dummies (soothers) as they normally end up on the ground etc! Will maybe look at other options as I am concerned the food court microwaves may not be suitable!

Ask about getting a microwave in your room. We had one at the Poly. I didn't request it, it was just there. i don't know how you heat your bottles bit it is convenient to have the microwave. Also I don't think 3 minutes is going to hurt anybody if you use the nasty one in the food court.

 

[jiminy]

I'm assuming this is your first and only child? We were big on sterlizing with our first, until he was about 5 months old. With our second son, well, he was lucky to get a clean bottle half the time (j/k, sort of)

 

[poohbear1029]

If it is just the pacifiers, you can also try some of Medela's cleaning wipes. I keep them on hand for pumping breast milk on the go when I cant clean the horns, etc otherwise. They are a little pillowpack of cleansing wipes that are disinfecting...and they can be used without a rinse off if the item is allowed to dry before using.

I understand what you mean about the paci's though...and I also agree with PP that you cant completely sterilize everything...ie, your kids hands....but when my baby's paci falls on the floor in a WDW eaterie, you can bet I clean it before he uses it again - and those wipes are great.

 

[jockey]

I'm assuming this is your first and only child? We were big on sterlizing with our first, until he was about 5 months old. With our second son, well, he was lucky to get a clean bottle half the time (j/k, sort of)

Yes it is my first child!



Where can I get of Medela wipes - do Walgreen or Walmart sttock them?

 

[jodifla]

Thanks guys, It has been suggested that you can stop sterilising at 1 year and DS will be 14 months when we travel however I just feel it's better to sterilise dummies (soothers) as they normally end up on the ground etc! Will maybe look at other options as I am concerned the food court microwaves may not be suitable!

Actually, it's an American & culture thing. Almost nobody sterilizes baby bottles or other baby supplies in the US because our water supply is so safe.


I sterilized bottles when we brought them home from the store, but never again. And this is after DS was only days old.

 

[Nanu57v]

I'm the "almost nobody."

I used the AVENT microwave sterilizer. It was so convenient. I don't think I would've sterilized without it. Boiling water just takes so long! I think I stopped when she started crawling around because I figured she was getting germs from the floor anyway.

I was surprised to read you couldn't use the microwave sterilizers...did someone tell you this? If your child is used to being super clean, probably Disney isn't the best time to let the germs attack. Maybe guest services can help. Good luck!

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I have 2 sons & sterililzed in the microwave w/ those Medela bag things for quite a while. I now just wash his pacifiers with warm soap & water. But if you and child are used to having things sterilized, then I'm sure you will be able to work something out. I wouldn't go changing your habits on a trip, in another country. I bet a waiter would be happy to help you out.

 

[all4fun]

My ds is a former preemie and the only time I sterilized anything was before the first use. Even then I was scepticle that it was even really necessary. This is the kid btw who had to see an immunologist because of cyclical immunity problems the drs picked up on thru routine blood tests and being a preemie, he was considered to be immuno-compromised for the first 1-2 yrs anyway. He actually stayed fairly healthy for a preemie with chronic lung disease. But I think that was due more to us keeping him away from crowds (until his first trip to WDW at 13mos!) than any amount of sterilizing. After all, the things you sterilize will just pick up germs from the environment anyway.

This is from WebMD.com

Should You Sterilize Your Baby's Bottles?
By Steven Parker, MD
WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed By Cynthia Haines, MD
on Thursday, March 09, 2006
In the old days when water supplies were not reliably clean, it made sense to boil the water before use. But now, sterilizing bottles, nipples, and water is mostly unnecessary.

Unless your water supply is suspected to harbor contaminated bacteria, it is as safe for your baby as it is for you. There is no reason to sterilize what is already safe.

Sterilizing the bottles and nipples is also unwarranted. Thorough cleaning with soap and water gets rid of almost all germs. And once on the bottle, the nipple begins to pick up all the germs in the environment, so a "sterile" nipple and bottle is just a pipe dream anyway.

Anyway, I hope this puts your mind at ease, if only a little bit.