Did you buy a steam or microwave steriliser?

brazilianwax

A friend of mine is a scientist and did some fairly major research into babies' bottles a couple of years ago. If washed in the dishwasher the bottles get scratched on the inside (like glasses). This (like gauges in a chopping board) can be hard to clean breading grounds for harmful bacteria. She advises not to use the dishwasher for babies' bottles if they are being formula fed. My baby gets expressed milk but I've still always washed the bottles by hand.

Two4Tuesday

We used an Avent Microwave steriliser with our two girls, and measured up a set amount of boiled/cooled water which was then put in the fridge in each bottle. When a feed was needed, we'd top up the pre-measured amount of fridge-cooled water with freshly boiled water and add the formula powder.

By measuring up the right amount of cold water, when we topped up with boiling water, the temperature was just right for the feed. It made preparing feeds very quick and easy, and the girls never had any problems.

nakmeister

Women who breastfeed can use a pump and feed that way which my wife did when my mum looked after my daughter. That came with its own bottles which fitted the pump, so that's worth thinking about! Well done her for trying breastfeeding. My wife had problems so couldn't do it as much as she'd liked but was glad she could give our daughter a good start as breastfeeding has been proven to reduce the chances of some allergies and illnesses, so I read!:T

Gingham_Ribbon

MrsE wrote: »

No, so that she can pick & I can buy at the best price.

Didn't know you could sterilise in the DW.

I use milton (for the cats water fountain) I will use milton in a big bowl if I need to do anything here at my house. That would be ok for the odd thing wouldn't it?

Yes. :j:j:j

She's very lucky to have you.

liney

I had a microwave steam one, and I used the bottles straight away to make up bottles and keep them in the fridge.

My HV told me that after 6 months of age, using the dish washer is fine because the baby is starting to wean and will be using unsterilised cups, plates, spoons, etc and bottles need only be clean, not sterile from that point.

If the baby is going to be breast fed i'd probably make do with tablets and a bowl to be honest, if it's litterly the odd bottle here and there. She can always get a steriliser later if she decides to switch to formula.

Lilium

peachyprice wrote: »

Actually they don't, if the feed is made properly there's no reason they should become any more constipated than a BF baby

Water is usually given if you're trying extend the length between feeds and weaning a needy baby, both BF and FF, from comfort feeding.

Yep, DS was formula fed in the end and I only gave a little extra water when it was really hot or he had a cold as then he would tend to get a bit stuffed up...most of the time he just got his formula milk and didn't have a problem with constipation.

We used the Tommee Tippee microwave steriliser...was very good, very simple to use, though one of the clips for the lid did break (still usable after that tho)...that was only 'cause it got dropped. Started off with the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles and then switched to Dr Browns...you could get 4 of those in the TT steriliser too.

Though, whilst searching for good prices and doing some research is good...maybe this is an item best not to buy in advance if she plans to BF. With DS1, I planned to BF but bought bottles/steriliser/breast pump before he arrived because I wanted to express the odd bottle after we'd got things established. But when faced with problems/worries and little help, having those things in the house made it easy to give him a bottle when we were both worrying and I was in pain...after that I couldn't get him to BF again. So now I'm expecting DS2 and I want to BF again I'm not buying any bottles or steriliser in advance because I think having them around didn't help me. Just a thought.

Felicity

Had to laugh at this thread. Only on MSE could you ask a question about kitchen equipment and receive some unsolicited relationship advice!

MrsE we had a steam steriliser and would recommend it although it does take up space, something to think about if the kitchen is limited in space.

got-it-spend-it

MrsE wrote: »

I'm wondering now if she needs to buy a steam one.

She does plan to BF & will be off work for 3 months (maybe 6 depending on half pay V childcare costs).

If BF babies don't need extra drinks then unless someone is looking after the baby.

I sterilised DD bottles for 11 months, but is it really necessary when at 6 months they are crawling about on the floor, then chewing their hands.

I have a microwave Tommee Tippee steriliser and it has been fine (but I breastfed so only used it occasionally).

I only ever sterilised bottles after six months, not spoons or bowls or anything. The reasons I carried on sterilising bottles is firstly that they are quite hard to clean thoroughly, even with a bottle brush, and secondly things that have been in contact with milk can grow all kinds of nasties.

Cold water sterilising is a good option, and can even be done in a large sealable sandwich bag if needs be. Perfect for at Grandparents houses!

jess1974

I breastfed all 3 of my children, and during very hot summers would offer water to them aswell in a bottle, all 3 are very healthy, very rarely ill and no allergies.......