you asked...

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Do I need to sterilize the bottles every time?

Re: Do I need to sterilize the bottles every time?

After the initial sterilization (submerge in boiling water for five minutes), a thorough washing with hot, soapy water is all your bottles really need. If you're not confident in your cleansing skills, throw the bottles in the dishwasher on hot. Make sure to put caps and bottles in a basket. If your baby contracts thrush (an oral yeast infection somewhat common in breastfed babies), your pediatrician might tell you to sterilize all bottles, pacifiers and teethers between each use... Otherwise, don't bother.

The Bump Editors | May 08 , 2009 2:37 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

i put used bottles in an empty container and at night, before going to sleep i sterilize everything and put them on the drying rack so they are easily accessible for the night shift and the next day!

MnOinLuv | November 11 , 2009 5:32 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I'm not sure if it is necessary to sterilize every time but I bought a sterilizer that works in the microwave and takes only 2 minutes. I feel much better this way

GorgeousGirl414 | December 07 , 2009 1:22 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I as well have that 2 minute sterilizer I use it about every 2 to 3 wks other than that I use hot soapy water inbetween. and my daughter is a month old I havent seen where its a problem as of yet

chris5421 | March 18 , 2010 1:38 AM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

WOW I must be a bit crazy then because I sterilize each time I wash the bottles. I use the microwave one and it just take a few minutes.

mommode | March 18 , 2010 2:01 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

yes everytime because... if you leve the milk out in a bottle it can rot overnight so when you are done feeding put water in it what about an hour the clen it ... it is much easier

tiaratufford | April 28 , 2010 10:23 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Kudos to you if you can manage to sterilize bottle every time...I barely have time to wash them every night! I sterilized my bottles as instructed the first time, but since then I just wash them in hot, soapy water. I have enough bottles for use so that I only have to wash bottles once at the end of the day. If I'm uncertain about whether the bottles came into contact with something unsafe, I will sterilize them again. Otherwise, a good washing suits me fine.

jlsmcvay | May 27 , 2010 1:53 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Like many, I bought the 2 minute microwave steam sterilizer... I love it & use it faithfully. I have friends that laughed at me, telling me no one sterilizes anymore. Then I watch them sterilize their countertops & toilet seats with bleach wipes.... they worry about the surface they set their dishes & their tushes on, yet they don't care about what they shove in their helpless baby's mouth? Sterilize... it only takes a few minutes - it's worth the piece of mind.

moptoplisa | July 15 , 2010 12:02 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I sterilized the first time with my son. The fact is that if you have a good dishwasher that is good enough. My sons doctor said it was good enough to use the dishwasher EVERYTIME. I just got one of those cages to put the nipples in so that they faced the right way for the most cleanliness.

lmuir140 | October 20 , 2010 7:09 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I have the 2 minute sterilizer but found that if I have 12 bottles then that's enough for me to feed during the day and night and at the end of each day I put them in the dishwasher (whatever I don't need for the night feeding - usually 2 bottles since he's 7 months old and eats at 5am then again at 7) and turn it on for overnight. In the morning I have all clean bottles. :) I LOVE my dishwasher!!

bradulovich | October 22 , 2010 10:50 AM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

some of us don't have dishwashers!

firelight79 | February 11 , 2011 2:17 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

With my son, I sterilized the bottles when I got them and again when he was seven months old and got hand, foot, mouth disease. Otherwise, I just washed them each night and left them on a drying rack for the next days supply.

madara77 | February 13 , 2011 6:42 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I don't have a dishwasher either (the husband calls me the dishwasher) and also have a busy schedule with work and baby. But I always sterilize the bottles each time. I have a pretty good system: I wash 6 bottles and then place them in the sterilizer (also have the microwave sterilizer) and then while that is going I clean the other bottles I have left. Once the bottles are done in the sterilizer I fill them up with the measured amount of water I'm using for the formula then I pop the remainder in the microwave and finish. It only takes about 10 minutes out of every 3 days with my 6 month old and is worth it to have a sterile bottle for the baby. Also helps to have the bottles prefilled with water for any late night/early morning feedings.

shanalg82@gmail.com | February 22 , 2011 3:23 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I was really relieved to see the bump expert comment on this. I am breastfeeding so only use bottles for the feeds that I need to express so was a bit clueless about sterilizing. I have been washing with hot soapy water from day one, and I bought a special bottle brush cleaner that I only use on the baby's bottles. Apart from that I only sterilize the bottles every few weeks in a travel size microwave sterilizer. I can't think that all that microwaving can be good for the LO.

JoannaShaw | March 06 , 2011 5:10 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I wash the bottles with soap and warm water after every use. Even the lactation nurses and the pediatrician says that's ok.

sylwill | March 08 , 2011 2:19 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I sterilize every time BUT my son was a premie and with a microwave sterilizer (mine takes 4 minutes, then 2 to cool), I get the extra peace of mind. All of his bottles contain expressed breastmilk, which I want to take every precaution to make sure doesn't spoil!

AmbrosiaHino | March 08 , 2011 3:18 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

i didn't have a dishwasher when i started bottle feeding. I just did the initial boiling when i bought my bottles, then washed after each feeding in hot soapy water. That is enough without having to worry. If every single thing is sterile in your home, your baby ends up getting sick more frequently. Before going crazy sterilizing, remember that for thousands of years people didn't sterilize anything and humankind is thriving lol. My baby has never been sick in her life, and she's 5 months old. Do what you can and don't beat yourself up if it's not perfect. =)

sw41410 | March 16 , 2011 11:33 AM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I solely bottle fed both of my children thus far and NEVER sterilized any bottles! My doc always said that the dishwasher was plenty! Neither of my children ever had any problems or sicknesses from not sterilizing them.

alpierce04 | March 29 , 2011 2:41 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

i sterilize once a week. At the end of each day i was all bottle used, with warm soapy water. On the day that i sterilize, i prewash everything with soapy water, i then rinse, and then in the pot. i air dry and thats that.

MrandMrsGamino | April 08 , 2011 3:05 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I clean them out with hot, soapy water i sterilized them the first time i got them... My baby is 6 months and nothing has happened getting sick wise.. healthy as can be. Myabe you can sterilize 1 time a week if you want.

dreamzz012007 | April 17 , 2011 8:58 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I sterilize everytime. Germ/ bacterial grows fast in milk, so if you have residue in the bottle your baby will catch it. Better be safe than sorry.

pssp3365 | May 19 , 2011 10:45 AM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I use hot water to rinse the bottles and pump parts after each use. Then, just before I wash them, I let them soak in hot, soapy water for about ten minutes.

DJBrown06 | July 28 , 2011 8:58 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I am surprised how so many people go ahead without sterilizing the bottles after every use--the baby has no say and therefore depends on the parents decisions i.e. good or bad. I would be happy to know that my parents always took the best decision especially when it came to hygiene!!!

kristyagius@hotmail.com | July 30 , 2011 3:13 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I don't want to put the bottles in the dishwasher because I can taste the dishwashing soap in my glasses. I don't want my baby to ingest the chemicals. I had wash in hot soapy water, air dry on the bottle rack, then microwave sterilize as I need the bottles. I breastfeed most the time.

ICKA | August 15 , 2011 6:12 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

i use a dishwasher and it does amazing!

whitwhit95 | August 23 , 2011 1:37 AM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Hospitals use their own supplies to take care of your baby while she's under their care. You won't need any diapers or wipes while she's at the hospital, but you'll want to be prepared in case anything goes wrong on the drive home. -Dr. Jerry M. Foster

shantelle1015 | October 31 , 2011 7:56 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I have the microwave sterilizing bags. I sterilize everything the first time and then again every other week. With each bag, you get 20 uses and I got a 5-pk. of bags for $5 @ Wal-mart! <3>

babybluekris04 | January 05 , 2012 10:25 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I got the Dr. Brown sterlizer and I use that for ever 4 bottles are done with feeding, rinse them off, put everything of the bottle in there plus the spoons she eats with her solid foods, put them in there for 6 mins. and put on rack to dry. Once a week I do however wash them with water and soap for just incase if the formula is stuck on bottles or germs. Hope this helps but its A LOT easier than washing bottles and spoons EVERYTIME you use them! haha

KaylaHelen | January 10 , 2012 12:17 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

I sterilize my bottles every week. There are spots that I can not get to.

ShanaKayP | April 03 , 2012 12:27 PM

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

With my 1st daughter I had a microwave sterilizer and I sterilized her bottles every time I washed them. I had to go back to work when my little one was only 2 months old so I was a busy single mom but found the time. My babysitter din't have the sterilizer so I would clean all the bottles in the morning and sterilize them before I dropped her off to the babysitter's house. It made me feel better that way.

sweettay24 | May 06 , 2012 10:13 AM

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you asked...

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Re: Do I need to sterilize the bottles every time?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

Q&A: Should I sterilize bottles?

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