Sterilizing of bottles and such

[ChillyWilleys]

Well she's here! 2nd DD was born last week and she is gorgeus 7lbs 9oz of cuddly love! I had a question that I was hoping you all with your vast knowledge could help me with. I am primarily nursing but also give bottles of pumped milk and the occasional bit of formula. So I was wondering as far as sterilizing bottles and pump parts, did you sterilize beyond the initial taking out of the package and if so for how long did you continue to do so? I've had friends who've told me that after the initial sterilzing a simple soap and water wash is fine, but I'm notoriusly nervous so was hoping for more stories of people who've done this or not. TIA

 

[PatsMom]

You should probably talk to your pediatrician to see what he suggests since it may depend on the area you live in.

My DD sounds like your new one - primarily breast fed with a little formula thrown in if I was leaving her for any length of time. I didn't pump so I can't help you out with that - if I had too much milk I manually expressed it. My pediatrician told me no need to sterilize bottles/nipples. I was using the Playtex disposables and I think they are sterile anyhow. But the nipples I just put in a basket and ran through the dishwasher. Then I soaked them in a bowl of water just to make sure they were rinsed well. When I asked about sterilizing them the pediatricians comment was that I didn't sterilize my nipples before feeding her so he didn't think I needed to sterilize rubber nipples either!

But depending on the water, etc in your area, your pediatrician might have other guidance for you. Always best the check with your own doctor.

 

[mjkacmom]

I remember asking our pediatrician when I could stop sterilizing both the bottles and the formula water, and he said there is no need to sterilize either. Babies need clean, not sterile.

 

[fussymonkey]

I exclusively bottle fed my two children and never sterlized a bottle (except right after purchase). I just ran them through the dishwasher and that was it. I also used playtex disposbale liners, but even the few regular bottles we had we just washed in the dishwasher. We also used plain tapwater for formula too. The kids are both fine.

Congrats on your little one, this is such an exciting time!

 

[waltskids]

I exclusively bottle fed my two children and never sterlized a bottle (except right after purchase). I just ran them through the dishwasher and that was it. I also used playtex disposbale liners, but even the few regular bottles we had we just washed in the dishwasher. We also used plain tapwater for formula too. The kids are both fine.

Congrats on your little one, this is such an exciting time!

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This is also exactly what we did as well with DS. We loved the playtex liners! Our ped. said there was no need to sterilize except right after purchase. We did not use tap water however, since we have well water and it hadn't been tested in quite a few years. Congratulations on the birth of your baby! We can't wait for our second one in June

 

[Colleen27]

First of all, congrats! Little girls are so wonderful, and those baby days go by so fast... It seems like yesterday that I was bringing my newest munchkin home, and she's 8mo old and trying to walk already!!

I've never sterilized a bottle in my life except in preparation for first use. Through 3 kids and 2 pediatricians, I've consistantly been told it isn't necessary for a normal, healthy infant.

 

[RN4Babies]

Congrats on your new baby girl! It sounds like you're both doing well!

I'm a neonatal intensive care nurse. We tell our moms there's no need to steralize bottles, nipples or the parts for their breast pumps. Many moms pump at their babies' bedsides, and then just a good soap and hot water wash is all that's needed.

Like pp said, if you're still uneasy, give your pediatrician's office a call.

 

[barnaby1]

Again, no need to sterilise. They are super kean on sterilising in the UK (along the lines of you should sterilise their plates and bowls when they start on solids!!). Essentially a lot of poeple do not clean the bottles and teats properly so they are concerned about milk being left behind but a good scrub with soap and water will do the job.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I sterilized before use and then every couple weeks for the this first 6 months but I also used the Playtex drop in's so I didn't have tons of items to sterilize.

 

[foltzy]

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This is also exactly what we did as well with DS. We loved the playtex liners! Our ped. said there was no need to sterilize except right after purchase. We did not use tap water however, since we have well water and it hadn't been tested in quite a few years. Congratulations on the birth of your baby! We can't wait for our second one in June

We loved the playtex liners too. We have well water and though it's tested every year I still refused to use it for my children (sometimes the water would be brown).

 

[mom2meiko]

i was neurotic about sterilizing when dd was first born, seriously sterilizing the bottles, pacifiers, toys, etc every time they were used, but then became more relaxed as time went on. i would probably sterilize every week or two until we finally got our dishwasher. once we had that i felt more comfortable with the cleaning process and would just randomly sterilize or if she had been sick.

good luck!

 

[jennifer293]

throw everything in the dishwasher, I remember I told my ped that I was so tired between feedings and sterilizing bottles, and such and he just laughed and told me that in this day and age with dishwashers and such we do not need to sterilize bottles anymore. So I quit and she is alomost 5 and still alive..

 

[my3cinderellas]

Same here my dr's said no need for it. Just dishwasher or soap and water.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Thanks everyone. I knew in my head that I was over doing it but it just helps to hear that other people have used just soap and water and their kids were okay. This is my 2nd but I know I way over did it with my first DD, so I was looking for the norm. Well I made it through a day with hot soapy water washes and we both survived. I suffer from post partum anxiety. I told myself I wasn't going to do it this time, but you see that teeny tiny little life that so dependent on you and you feel like your whole life depends on her too, and how can you help but worry? I'm getting there though.

 

[laughinplace199]

When my first child was born, we didn't have a dishwasher, so I sterilized everything. By the time babies #2 & #3 came along, we had a dishwasher. My ped said that the dishwasher got everything hot enough to make sterilizing unnecessary.

Congrats!

 

[hopefor4]

Congratulations!!! I personally sterilized until they were putting things (toy) in their mouths, I figures what would be the point then?

Enjoy, it goes past so quickly!

 

[pktbMouse]

you could buy the microwave steralising bags if you have access to a microwave...if your feeling flush, walmart near the florida mall sell small ones for $40 that will fit in your room and you could just leave it if your flying home. If you are not steralising, I would buy some spring or distilled bottled water to wash them in..you dont know what crud is in their plumbing system at the resort.