New Here: Plastic Bottle Sterilization

pennstated912

Hi there,

I'm 37 weeks pregnant, Team Blue, FTM. We are in the process of getting the final touches organized before his arrival.

I was looking to find how to sterilize plastic bottles before the first use as we going to EFF. I didn't want to boil them since they are plastic. Do I just put them in the microwave?

TIA!

CDMay2006

Don't microwave unless you are using a sterilization bag. It is safe to sterilize in a big pot of boiling water (10 min); that is the manufacture recommended method.

Kaymee

wedding06 said:

Does your dishwasher have a sterilizer setting or hot wash? That is what I used.

This is exactly what we did

jenb_99

Plastic bottles and bottle parts can be boiled. The only plastic bottle I know of that doesn't do well with heat sterilization is the Playtex Drop-In shell. Those tend to warp and melt.

I like microwave steam bags, but I've also washed bottles plenty of times in the dishwasher. Just use whatever setting makes it hotter, whether that's a hot wash or heated dry.

You can also sterilize bottles in a sink full of warm water (under 140 degrees) and bleach. You'd have to look up the proportions, but I think it's something like 1-2 Tbsp bleach per 5 gallons of water. Yes, bleach is perfectly safe even for baby products.

MWagner10

Read the package inserts. I have Dr. Browns and ventaire, I boiled all parts of the Dr. Browns and only some parts of the Ventaire. I also use the dishwasher every once in a while. After initial sterilization you only have to hand wash unless baby gets sick or gets thrush.

insertclevername

I used the Medela microwave steam bags.

Smoby1231

We  use the Avent microwave sterilizer