Sterilizing Bottles - Payne, OH

I have the Avent microwave steam sterlizer and this is by far one of my "can't live without" baby items. They are $30 and worth every penny!

My kids RARELY took bottles, if at all, so I used the microwave sterilizer bags all the time. You can also get bigger bottle sterilizers that you use in the microwave. But, as far as I've noticed, my SIL never used anything but hot, soapy water and then air-dried them.

When my boys were little I would steralize their bottles, nipples, pacifiers, and plastic toys in 1 cap bleach to 1/2 sink of hot water. Soak for 5 minutes and rinse throughly. I always put some bleach in my dish water whenever someone in the house is sick; that way I help to elimate the spread of germs.

When my son was a baby I used Avent bottles. They have a bottle sterilizer that fits 4 bottles at a time plus all the nipples and rings (I could even throw a couples of passies in there too!). You put a little water in the bottom of it, snap the lid on and pop it in the microwave for 7 minutes. Getting that thing was the best thing that ever happened to me! I loved it!

I love love love the sterilizing bags. So easy to use! Get them at Wal-Mart (in the baby section), or Babies R Us. About $5 for 5 bags and each bag can be used 20 times. They are big enough to put multiple items in, just add water and microwave for 2 minutes. Super easy!

I used a microwave sterilizer that worked great! You can pick one up at Target/Babies R US. As for bottles, start young, so they get use to one even before you really need to use it or you might have issues. I have had plenty of friends who exclusively breast fed and their babies would never take a bottle. Introduce one early on with your breast milk and it will make date nights or going back to work that much easier! Good luck!

We used the Dr. Brown's micro steamer. I wouldn't consider the dishwasher as a safe means of sterilizing. I think there are as many micro steamers on the market as there are bottles to choose from. I also sterilized breast shields and Nuk's in our steamer. I also sterlized all of the pump parts in it. It was super easy for my hubby to use too. Best wishes!!

It took 10 weeks for my son to learn to latch and after we conquered that I never made another bottle again. I breastfed when we went out etc. He refused to take bottles from daddy and would just wait until I was available...patiently for Daddy but as soon as he smelled me come in the door his patience wore off. He nursed for 17 months and weaned himself.

I pray my next son, due in November, will learn to latch right away because I detest bottles that much! Too much work! :)

Boiling in water will sterilize and it only takes a few minutes.

Bacteria does not grow on clean, dry surfaces. Scrub the bottles in hot soapy water, dunk with tongs in boiling water and drain on clean rack or towel to let them dry. Nipples and rings, etc., should also be cleaned in this way.

However, my personal opinion is that this much care is only needed for the first few weeks, then regular dishwashing will be fine.

Pacifiers-- same treatment.

For that first use after being stored away, using boiling water would be sufficient. After that, washing in hot soapy water is all you need.

Good ole pot of boiling water for a few minutes will work for bottles, nipples and pump parts. :) They also now sell these way cool little bags that you put the nipples, bottles and pump parts in, seal it shut and put into the microwave for so long. You can use each bag 10 or more times I believe. I have heard lactation suggest them at our hospital.
As for the parts to the pump...I couldn't tell if you were asking because you were renting the pump from the hospital or if it was your own pump. They still have the parts for those that rent the pump from the hospital. If you are not renting a pump then you will have to supply your own parts. (Sorry I was confused on this part, but I could have read it wrong.)

It is no longer recommended that bottles be sterilized. Just wash in hot, soapy water.

You can also use Playtex nursers, with the bags that you just drop into the bottle for use and then throw away. They are economical, easy to use, and you can warm the formula by placing the bottle in a cup of hot water.

I always boiled mine which is definitely the least expensive way to go. They also make bags that you microwave which are very convenient (I use them for travel). I have a few friends that use a sterilizer...I think it is made by Avent. I have never tried it as I do not have counter space. Good Luck.

I used the sterilization bags mentioned. Target has a container sterilizer that fits any type of bottle. The nice thing is, unlike the bags, you don't have to go out and buy more. As for the breast pump parts, I don't think the hospital will give you the parts you need. Buy them so you can be ready to go.

I would just boil the parts for 5-7 minutes about once per week. I didn't have a working dishwasher either! Just make sure it's a good rolling boil first. I just don't trust microwaves and I NEVER microwave anything made of plastic (which would include bottles and the sterilizers). Boiling is quick, easy and CHEAP!!!!

I work in a hospital nursery. We tell all our moms that they don't need to sterilize their bottles or nipples, just wash in hot soapy water after use and they are good to go. As for pump parts, we do have kits we give in the hospital, however the tubing that comes with electric kit is only given to moms who need to pump while in the hospital. I would call the hospital and ask. If they have a lactation department, they can tell you what you will need to buy and what you will receive from them. We tell our moms to just wash their pump parts in hot water, place in the dishwasher once a week. I know you don't have a dishwasher, but maybe sterilizing once a week is all you would need to do. good luck.
Oh, and I agree with offering a bottle early, just not too early. You want to wait at least 2 weeks to give your milk time to get established. But after that, once in a while from dad may be helpful.
R.

I have the Avent microwave sterilizer that has been mentioned by several people. It is very easy to use. My first child and I ended up with a really bad case of thrush so I used it exclusively for anything that touch his mouth or my breasts (nipples, pump parts, etc.). With the second child, the first time I used everything again I used the sterilizer. The rest of the time I solely relied on the dishwasher (could fit more!).

As for pump parts, if you are in the Columbus area, the Elizabeth Blackwell Center carries a lot of parts. Give them a call and see what they have for your pump.

I breastfed with my second child exclusivley. I also pumped with a Medela. Your not supposed to reuse the tubing. I called Medela and they shipped me new ones. You can buy some of the parts at Babies R Us (but not the tubing). I always boiled all the parts and bottles. I didn't have adishwasher either. They do sell streamer that you can use to ster ilize baby bottles. Some even go in the mircowave. Hope this helps. I'm pregnant with my third and due in September. I need to get a hold of Medela. I will try and let you know if you'd like.

Hi Shaun, Congratulations on the new baby! I would just boil the bottles and nipples for a minute or two, then let them air dry for a bit then dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
As for the what the hospital will give you I think it depends on the hospital. You could always call and ask, I'm sure they would be helpful.
I think it's great that you are going green. Have you started to buy green home products as well? I only ask because I'm curious as to what you are using. I found a great store on line that has an amazing line of products they ship right to your home and it's wholesale priced!!!
Good luck with your delivery. :)

We bought the Avent Sterlizer. It is small and compact, and I think only $20. But it does 4 bottles at a time and you can put in there pacifiers and other items. You add 8 oz of water pop the container in the microwave for 5 mins and that was it. It was very simple, easy, only has 3 pieces that went with it. Hope that helps.

Hi Shaun,
Congratulations on baby #2! I know you'll be glad when he/she arrives now that you're so close. What caught my eye was your goal of "going green". You will be glad to know you can accomplish that in a lot of ways by using Shaklee products. Unlike most "trend" companies, Shaklee has been green since the 50s so they really have it down. Their "Basic G" is a wonderful germicide product that keeps things sanitized days rather than minutes but without any of the toxic ingredients like most others. I wish I had known about Shaklee when our babies were small. We would have avoided so many issues. Hope you find great ways to green up your family. Here's where I buy Shaklee products if you're interested: www.shaklee.net/changinglives. S.

You don't have to sterilize every time you use them. Just washing in hot soapy water is good enough. Medela makes microwave sterilizer bags that I used once a week or so for my pump parts (they have crevices that are hard to reach with a washcloth or bottle brush). They're reasonably priced and you can use them multiple times. For the bottles, I boiled the nipples once right after we bought them and used the playtex drop-ins. That was enough for me... after all, I never sterilized MY nipples! =)

Hey Shaun,

Another way to sterilize bottles and pacifier's is to just put them in boiling water for 15 min. And you are good to go! Yes, all the hospital's I've worked for or been a pt. at do still give breast pump kits if you need them! Good luck!

A. V.

My pediatrician recommended adding a little vinegar to the dishwater to sterilize the bottles and pump parts.

I used the Medela Microwaveable Sterilization bags. They seem a bit expensive...5 bags for $10, but you can use each bag up to 20 times. Each bag has a spot on it where you can check the boxes to help keep track of how many times you have used it.

I doubt the hospitals supply the hoses or bottles for the breastpump anymore. They might if you are renting one from them, but if you own your own, which it seems like, you will probably have to go purchase these items.

The sterilization bags & pump accessories can all be found at babies r us.