When can you stop sterilizing bottles?

[little_mrs]

Just a quick point.... I guess you need to consider the quality of your tap water too and if it's town supply, bore or rainwater. I was wondering the same thing tho.

[LimeSlice]

One uses BOILED tap water as it kills organisms in the WATER itself, nothing to do with formula or the bottle.

The fact is the gut of an infant is less resistant to water-born parasites, and this is why you boil it before using it.

I would, without a doubt, never give a 6 month old straight tap water. You have no idea what state those pipes are in, where that water comes from, and what its content is. Even mains water in the middle of Melbourne (for eg) comes from various sources and its chemical makeup and debris content varies depending on the time of year and the origin of the water.

[Queen]

The CHN told me you did not have to anymore...but I did DD1's until 12-13mths and DD2 about 5-6mths

[MrsBexie]

lime: that's a great point!! You have no idea what the state of the pipes are! now it's grossing me out!! haha... I might boil and cool my own water.

[Liz]

I'm surprised to hear of chn's saying not to sterilise bottles for formula? I know for many years they've said not to worry about sterilising with breastmilk but I've never heard/seen anything about not sterilising for formula. I hope information isn't getting confused. Chn's aren't exactly renowned for accurate advice

I believe using a hot dishwasher is considered 'sterilised' enough though.

[Duchess]

We only have tank water and it is completely different to the town water in our small town and different again to city water. I don't drink it unless It's been out if the filter tap.
I'll be boiling water til at least 6 months as then I'll be expecting to.introduce food and a cup of water and never boiled water for my breastfed daughter.

[CrazyLady]

I'm surprised to hear of chn's saying not to sterilise bottles for formula? I know for many years they've said not to worry about sterilising with breastmilk but I've never heard/seen anything about not sterilising for formula. I hope information isn't getting confused. Chn's aren't exactly renowned for accurate advice

I believe using a hot dishwasher is considered 'sterilised' enough though.

I got the info from the paed, midwives at the hossie and the MCHN. They all said as long as bubs doesn't have thrush etc then don't steralise. The logic behind it is something about bacteria before they start getting it off stuff they chew etc. Seems to have done an awesome job on DD's immune system. Most dishwashing liquid is antibacterial anyway. Then the air dry bit is to make sure no bacteria off a tea towel is spread around. I didn't have a dishwasher until DD was 8 months old but as soon as I did I put her glass bottles in. I didn't like the look of the plastic ones because they seemed to look foggy after a few weeks and I thought it looked gross.