When to stop sterilising bottles & boiling water

I took Elijah to his specialist appointment at Cabrini today (being three months old), most will probably know he has reflux / wind (from the bottom!) issues since around 4 weeks and it hasn't gotten better. Something I discussed with his very lovely Paediatric Gastroenterologist (what a mouthful!) was about bottles and he said that at three months, I could stop sterilising and boiling water to help his body become exposed to normal water.

He said that based on studies and observations overseas, those living in a more sterile environment (i.e. in areas where there well off families) were more likely to have more serious bowel/gastro inflammatory problems later in life and bigger reactions to bacteria once they do become exposed to it. This is because the body has very little immunity to the bugs, so it goes into overload as such. Those living in the poorer areas of the country dealt with the bacteria no problems as their immune systems had built up a strong defense already.

He also said we were very lucky to have such good quality water in Australia and there is absolutely nothing wrong with stopping sterilising and boiling at this age. So I will! :)

Yep I stopped at 6 or 7mths with Lachlan. I thought if they are on the floor and putting crap into their mouth what is the point. Haven't had any dramas with him since, but still boil the water before i use it though LOL

love

We had a ceremonial throw out of the steriliser at 6 months :) I have been boiling water still...but we decided on her 8 month day we would go to the filtered water instead! YAY!!

I stopped sterilising bottles when Kimebrley was about 5 months old. I guess when we moved here i got lazy and forgot to do it so much.
Stopped boiling water for her when she was about a year old.

I sterilised Ashlea's bottles until she was 6 months, and after six months old she used sippa cups instead, which we just washed out.
The say now that there is no point to sterilizing bottles because as soon as you take them out and expose them to air, store them in the cupboard, touch them etc they are no longer sterile anyway. The only way they remain sterile is if you only use sterile tongs to handle them, and fill with boiled water and store in the fridge.
The other aspect, as was already mentioned, is that its actaully better for kids to be exposed to a degree of dirt and germs and it strengthens their immune system.
Another thing, alot of parents clean the kids dummy's by sucking on it. Fact is, there are more germs and bacteria in an adults mouth than on a filthy floor... Thats kind of gross isn't it???

WOW ! I wish someone told me this - I kept doing caitlins until she stopped having milk in bottles at 12 months ! I think she was just down the one bottle then at night time.

I've heard stuff about ppl these days being 'over clean' and immunity and all that.

And at the other end, I've heard that about sucking babies dummies to clean them (ug) and the link to pneumococcal (very bad spel) because everyone has the things in their body for that, its just that they're not triggered, or something like that.

barb.

I stopped sterilising just after New Years, when Aidyn was 8 months old.
And I just stopped boiling the water after reading this post, LOL!

Ambah, so do you use warm water straight out of the tap or cold then microwave it ?? Not that it ever bothers me cause our kettle is always full of boiled water, but there is those moments when it has just been boiled then Lachlan starts screaming for a bottle but it is too hot.

Love

When our kettle used to be full of hot boiled water I would cap the bottle and run it under the cold tap for 5 mins, that would usually cool it down to drinking temperature.

I am not so worried about giving Aidyn tap water, as we have a water filter system for our drinking water which removes a lot of the cr@p anyway.
I just use it cold Kat, and then add the formula, then heat it up in the microwave or store it straight in the fridge...

I use cold tap water now too. With the microwave though, microwaving breastmilk kills the vitamins - does it do the same with formula? We add the formula after the water has been microwaved.

I don't think it does with the formula Kelly, as I have quite often microwaved made up milk when we have been out or what not and lachlan's milk has gone cold. just got to shake it well to make sure there is no hot spots.

Love

I always used a bottle warmer when heating Kimberley's milk.
Never used a microwave to do it. But i may this time not sure what way i am going to do it.

I also don't think there is anything wrong with microwaving formula. Just make sure you don't overheat it, cause that is what will destroy the vitamins and minerals. I have heard the only reason you shouldnt do it is because of the 'hot spot's' it creates... which can be easily fixed by shaking well.
But yeah... you definately should not do it for breast milk!!