Not sterilising causing problems?

**RainbowRiver** · December 24th, 2013, 04:30 PM

Currently we are away camping for 2 weeks. When we are home I usually put them in the microwave. I figured DD3 is close to 8 months and not doing it should be ok.

Well now I dunno what's happening. Every nappy change is runny (to the point a clothes change is also needed). The water in the bottles is boiled, I'm just not sterilising, but washing in hot soapy water.

So, could she have the runs from this? Or something else?

No temp, rashes etc. Thought maybe teething but it's only since we have been away

**jellybean88** · December 24th, 2013, 04:57 PM

Maybe teething we haven't sterilized any of Hattie's stuff since she was born I would think by now it wouldn't matter cause they eat stuff off the floor lol

**onthefly** · December 24th, 2013, 05:15 PM

It's possible. The reason it's recommended to sterilise equipment used with formula is because formula itself is not sterile and *can* harbour bacteria which might multiply and cause problems (ie, if there's a minute amount left over on the bottles after washing). They can also pick up bugs elsewhere, of course.
Is it possible to try boiling your bottles etc to see if that makes a difference? Just 5 mins in boiling water does the trick.

**Mum2SweetCs** · December 24th, 2013, 05:17 PM

Would it be contaminated water? Some camp sites have recycled water not for consumption.

Dont think it would be because of sterilisation either as jellybean said. Dd2 started licking toilets, shoes and floors around 5months so im sure that will have more germs than unsterilised bottles?

Hoping its nothing but teething runs oxo

Edit: just saw madb's post. Didnt realise formula required sterilisation sorry

**RainbowRiver** · December 24th, 2013, 06:17 PM

I did consider the water, I know the people that run the place and was told it's fine for drinking + I also boil it too.

DH is boiling the bottles tonight so I hope our little princess improves by doing so.

**Rivlas** · December 24th, 2013, 07:36 PM

When we were young, Mum used to pour boiling water onto the bottle, teat etc after it was washed. This was before sterilising was recommended as it is today.
It was also how I sterilised the girls bottles years ago and it seemed to do the trick.

If you are unsure about the water double boil it.

**Trillian** · December 24th, 2013, 08:19 PM

As soon as you take something out of a sterile environment (ie, a steriliser) it's not sterile anymore anyway. Regardless of whether you put formula in it or not. For her age, I'd find it really unlikely that a non-sterile bottle would be causing the problem and it could just be the change of environment (different water?) or it could be completely unrelated and be teething poos or even a minor tummy bug.