community

all boards


birth clubs



my blog

Sort:
01-13-2013 at 9:42 PM
CVsanger
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-07-2012
1,736 Points
CVsanger is not online. Last active: 03-09-2013, 4:06 AMNewbie

Question for second time moms...

(Also posted on the March 2013 board)

Question about bottle sterilizers....

Do I need one?

I registered for one but am now having second thoughts. How often do I even need to sterilize bottles/nipples? Can they go in the dishwasher?

I have no idea what I'm doing here....


8 weeks 3 days 12 weeks 2 days 20 weeks 6 days  BabyFruit Ticker  
01-13-2013 at 9:49 PM
CelticWife
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-11-2008
St. Louis
19,980 Points
CelticWife is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 9:10 AMGold
Are you bf? Ff?

We have a microwave sterilizer that I used for pump parts, bottle nipples, pacifiers, etc. If I had not been pumping and storing, I would have just used the dishwasher.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to be over, it's about learning how to dance in the rain." -Unknown

DS: age 4

DD: age 2

Currently pregnant with our 3rd!

 BabyFetus Ticker</P 

01-13-2013 at 9:55 PM
MrsWindyCi...
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on 07-19-2006
Chicago, IL
35,215 Points
MrsWindyCity is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 11:04 AMPlatinum
Not necessary. I threw everything--including pump parts and bottles--in the dishwasher. 

food blog

Zachary, 4/2/10 and Ian, 3/20/13  
01-13-2013 at 9:56 PM
CVsanger
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-07-2012
1,736 Points
CVsanger is not online. Last active: 03-09-2013, 4:06 AMNewbie

Sorry-should have been more clear.

I plan to breastfeed.


8 weeks 3 days 12 weeks 2 days 20 weeks 6 days  BabyFruit Ticker  
01-13-2013 at 9:58 PM
drpayne
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-26-2009
25,742 Points
drpayne is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 8:12 PMSilver
MrsWindyCity:
Not necessary. I threw everythingincluding pump parts and bottlesin the dishwasher.nbsp;


This. Or soap and hot water.

 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-13-2013 at 9:59 PM
JenS2203
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-09-2012
12,411 Points
JenS2203 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 8:13 PMBronze

CelticWife:
Are you bf? Ff? We have a microwave sterilizer that I used for pump parts, bottle nipples, pacifiers, etc. If I had not been pumping and storing, I would have just used the dishwasher.

This is me too. I think I sterilized the actual bottles and nipples before the first use, then used the dishwasher. For pump equipment I used the microwave sterilizer.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic Lilypie First Birthday tickersLilypie Third Birthday tickersLilypie Fifth Birthday tickers 
01-13-2013 at 10:00 PM
Charlotte0...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-09-2012
5,065 Points
Charlotte02 is not online. Last active: 03-18-2013, 1:37 PMNewbie
All of mine did well in the dish washer and our dishwasher is known to melt plastic. I used Medlia and Tommee Tippee. Both withstood the heat and sprays. I love the tommee tippee. My husband has huge hands and can wash them easily without a bottle brush.

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers pregnancy calendar Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic 
01-13-2013 at 10:07 PM
nyki06
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-02-2008
39,225 Points
nyki06 is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 11:00 AMSilver
I never used one.

Zoe Jane- 2 years Marley Virginia 4-2-13 
01-13-2013 at 10:11 PM
kxp004
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-21-2009
8,514 Points
kxp004 is not online. Last active: 02-09-2013, 12:27 PMBronze

I pumped and washed everything with hot water and soap then I had a medela bag that I threw it all into to sterilize in the microwave once a week... the bag gets like 20 uses and then you're supposed to get a new one... 

with thrush everything was soaked in a vinegar solution, then washed and sterilized 


Anniversary  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  BabyFruit Ticker Photobucket 
01-13-2013 at 10:11 PM
MommyMelDa...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-22-2012
1,034 Points
MommyMelDay is not online. Last active: 01-29-2013, 9:02 AMNewbie
We have a microwave sterilizer, but I also don't have a dishwasher.  Not saying I use it religiously but if its cold / flu season or something is going around at my 5 year olds school I usually use it a lot more. 
 
01-14-2013 at 12:15 AM
dclsboo235
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-22-2010
Casper, Wyoming
7,225 Points
dclsboo235 is not online. Last active: 05-12-2013, 8:33 PMBronze
the dishwasher steralizes bottle stuff when you wash it so i don't really think you need one. ive never used one and don't really plan on getting one.

 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  photo theboysanddany_zps4c74191e.jpg 
01-14-2013 at 12:17 AM
PandasMama...
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-28-2011
8,550 Points
PandasMama0626 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:43 PMBronze
I had one and never used it. If I wasn't soaking everything in super hot water and antibacterial dish soap, I would just toss it all in the dish washer. Never had any issues with this.

Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers 
01-14-2013 at 1:55 AM
kelly321
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-30-2010
48,122 Points
kelly321 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:40 PMGold
I had one and used it every day - I pumped and supplemented for 9 weeks before switching to FF. DD was a preemie, though, and I was very paranoid about germs for a while, so I wouldn't have been comfortable just throwing everything in the dishwasher. At some point when she started putting anything and everything in her mouth, we stopped sterilizing the bottles.


BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP2: 3/18/12, blighted ovum, natural m/c @ 7w4d
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w3d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence BFP Chart 
01-14-2013 at 6:58 AM
alohachris...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-06-2011
6,669 Points
alohachrissy2 is not online. Last active: 03-24-2013, 7:37 PMNewbie

I sterilize all bottles, nipples, paci's and pump parts in my microwave sterilizer everyday after hand washing them for the first 3-4 mths. After that I just hand wash everything. You can put them in the dishwasher it just grosses me out that they are in with all our dirty dishes lol. My sister boiled everything after hand washing so you could do that if you didn't want to buy a microwave sterilizer.


 BabyFetus Ticker  
01-14-2013 at 7:05 AM
+adamwife+
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-16-2011
43,555 Points
+adamwife+ is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 5:34 PMSilver

No.

A thorough washing is enough.  Or if you're really worried, use the sani-cycle in the dishwasher.

01-14-2013 at 7:19 AM
penguingrr...
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on 11-19-2006
In NYC for now, but always a Jersey girl at heart!
38,510 Points
penguingrrl is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 9:03 PMPlatinum
Not necessary. In fact, most plastic baby parts specify that they should be sterilized before first use only and washed like normal dishes after. Sterilizing them more will cause the plastic to break down so it shouldn't be done. With my girls we didn't have a dishwasher, so everything was hand washed. Now we have a dishwasher and I plan to use that.

 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 7:22 AM
penguingrr...
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on 11-19-2006
In NYC for now, but always a Jersey girl at heart!
38,510 Points
penguingrrl is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 9:03 PMPlatinum
Oh, and I just remembered that someone bought me a microwave sterilizer at my shower and it didn't fit in my microwave, so if you don't have a large microwave one may not fit.

 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 7:33 AM
dande2129
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-09-2011
22,508 Points
dande2129 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 10:52 AMSilver

The only thing that I sterilized regularly (not via hand washing or the dishwasher) was my breast pump parts, which you can buy steam mags for the microwave. 

I did not have a bottle steamer/sterilizer with DS, and I won't with this LO. 


 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 7:52 AM
b0710
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-13-2010
15,077 Points
b0710 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 3:27 PMBronze

I initially boiled everything once, then used the dishwasher after that.  This is the same thing that I plan to do this time around as well.  If you are using bottles for pumped breastmilk, check on the bottle box, they normally have specific instructions.  

Honestly, I had a sterilizer and used it maybe 3 times, then decided it wasn't worth my time.  I burned myself on the steam every time (probably user error, but still annoying), then they were super wet and had to air dry or towel dry for a long time, plus I didn't feel they were any cleaner than they came out of the dishwasher.  I found my sterilizer to be a waste of money and quickly donated it to someone else. 


Image and video hosting by TinyPic  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 9:08 AM
daniella27...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-26-2007
4,185 Points
daniella2727 is not online. Last active: 04-17-2013, 8:47 PMBronze
I LOVED my sterilizer. I too BF but went back to work so she got bottles while I was away. I used my sterilizer whenever she was sick and not just for bottles but for smaller toys.

My Pregnancy Blog: https://waiting4tuesday.wordpress.com/  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 9:16 AM
LibbyLouHo...
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-30-2012
25,241 Points
LibbyLouHoo is not online. Last active: 05-12-2013, 9:45 PMBronze

I washed everything in soap and water when we first got it and threw it in one of the Medela microwave bags. After that, I just used soap and water or my dishwasher.


Profile  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 11:01 AM
doribeth85...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-30-2012
62,244 Points
doribeth851 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 3:26 PMSilver

MrsWindyCity:
Not necessary. I threw everything--including pump parts and bottles--in the dishwasher. 

**Lurking**

But, ditto this. 


Lucas Daniel -- 8.20.10  BabyFruit Ticker
 
01-14-2013 at 12:51 PM
mom2b22013
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-29-2012
15,230 Points
mom2b22013 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:43 AMBronze
kxp004:

I pumped and washed everything with hot water and soap then I had a medela bag that I threw it all into to sterilize in the microwave once a week... the bag gets like 20 uses and then you're supposed to get a new one... 

 This is what I did. I liked the bags, they were easy to store!  


 Pregnancy Ticker  Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
01-14-2013 at 1:43 PM
Halen0804
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-28-2009
Suburbia, IL
3,062 Points
Halen0804 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 2:52 PMSilver
I bought one and returned it- totally not necessary.  I BF and bottle fed (DD was in DC).  I bought the Medela sterilizer bags for the microwave and it worked perfectly for the breast pump parts.  I threw the bottles and parts in the dishwasher.  I still use the bags for DD's pacifiers. 

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Our Little Guy due 4/14/13  BabyFetus Ticker 
01-15-2013 at 12:05 AM
Angela814
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 07-18-2003
Milwaukee, WI
43,476 Points
Angela814 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 8:08 PMGold
Not necessary. Bottles and nipples can be sterilized in the dishwasher. Also, nipples (and pacifiers) can be boiled to sterilize.


Annalise Marie 5.29.06
Charlotte Ella 7.16.10
Emmeline Grace 3.27.13 
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board