Sterilizing, or "Have I lost my mind?"

MommyAtty · August 2014

I try to sterilize DS's bottles in boiling water every week or so. I didn't do this with DD, but we ran hers through through the dishwasher occasionally, which we aren't doing now. How about you guys? Do you sterilize bottles after the first use? If so, by what method? I've read good stuff about microwaveable bags, but I haven't tried them. Have you? Or, frankly, is this complete overkill and so long as I'm washing in hot, soapy water, sterilizing is just slightly nuts? (Edited bc of hilarious autocorrection of "ran hers" to "Luther's". Love my iPad, hate random weird autocorrection!)

ConversationFear · August 2014

It seems like the current popular consensus (based on anything I've read and advice from other bumpies) has been that Dr.'s don't tell you to sterilize like they used to. Most people have said sterilize first time and using hot water a soap should suffice after that.

My doctor told me the same thing. I was totally surprised as I had always heard you had to do it like what you're doing...

harmonicbabe26 · August 2014

I was never told to sterilize anything after the initial cleaning. We only washed our bottles in the dishwasher when it was a full load time. I used the Medela microwave bags to zap them every noe and again but never on any regular schedule. I like the bags. Each lasts for 10 uses and you can steam everything frim bottles, nipples, pacis, pump parts etc.
The only time anyone ever mentioned sterilizing after every single use was my mom who was shoving her 30+ year old experience down my throat like she always does... O_o

mustangholly · August 2014

Our pediatrician said sterilize after purchase then wash very hot soapy water or dishwasher. I still boil them once a week.

poohbear033 · August 2014

DH sterilized before the first use. We now wash in the dishwasher or hand wash. The hospital actually told us that the dishwasher was enough.

bumpuser10054788 · August 2014

Like @Priss08, the only part I've sterilized after first use is the air valve for Dr. Brown's. Only did that once so far though, when I noticed a few of them were looking a little grungy (despite hand-washing).

SandFHasse · August 2014

I sterilize before feeding the first time and then don't sterilize again.

alyss0nl · August 2014

I sterilized once in boiling water. Now I just wash bottles in hot water and soap. The ground water is "better" than it used to be, so there is no need to sterilize. That is what I was told.

MommyAtty · August 2014

Thanks, Mamas. I have no clue why I've started doing it, and I think I will stop now!

Danicali · August 2014

I sterilized the bottles for the first time when he was younger. And now (he is 8 months) I just run them through the dishwasher when I get new bottles before I use them. Maybe that's wrong. But I dunno. It gets pretty hot in there.