How long to steralise and why do it anyhow?

[Snacks]

It was suggested to us by the health nurse to sterilise bottles but not anything else. Milk products contain heaps of bacteria, and they'll breed in the little spaces in the teat and bottle, so IMO it's worth sterilising items you use for milk.

[*Elle*]

I have never been told not to sterilise bottles etc, I have heard this through friends but for me I just couldnt not do it, I chose to sterilise untill all my children were atleast 1 year old, and if I were to have anymore I would also do the same again, I know when I was in hospital with my youngest, they used disposable bottles but they also had an avent electric steriliser to use if you had bottles to do or anything else, they obviously still expected that people would do this.

also I totally agree with Snacks here too

Milk products contain heaps of bacteria, and they'll breed in the little spaces in the teat and bottle, so IMO it's worth sterilising items you use for milk.

[Nai]

If you are using formula it is still important to sterilise because of the milk based bacteria - this can make bubs very sick if they ingest it. Apparently breast milk isn't the same (not sure why). I sterilised for the first 12 months and since then just hot soapy water. However I know others who have just done it for 6 months.

[satya]

I've been told to do it til they are either 6 months or 12 months (can't remember who said what now). I've heard about the hospitals that don't recommend it at all but my health nurse says it's better to be safe and sorry, particularly with Melbourne's water being at it's lowest levels ever.

The nurse that runs my mothers group says that after they are crawling or walking there's no point in sterilizing as bubs is in contact with lots of germs anyway so soap and water is fine from then onwards. She also said not to vaccuum every day as your child will end up picking up more bugs if you do. I loved that little bit of info!!!!

[Ozstar]

My CHN said she recommends formula feeding mums sterilise bottles until 12 months. She said that the bacteria found in formula is not the same as everyday household bacteria and can be bad for bubs. She said if you use bottles for EBM then soap and water is fine as breast milk does not contain the bacteria.

She also suggests reading the dummy packaging as apparently some dummies say not to steam sterilise, I think it can weaken the rubber or something.

[jmmum]

Never sterilised anything with DD. I wash bottles in dishwasher and teats in hot soapy water. DD is formula feed has a lot less colds/flu's stomach bugs than other bubs. Put dummies in dishwasher every now and then as well. She is a very healthy happy bubba.

[Nai]

jmmum, I was told that the the dishwasher actually sterilises the bottles due to the temp of the water - so that's another option if you don't want to or don't have a steam steriliser.