XP: Streamlined bottle sterilizing?

mrsredmoose

I've been struggling with BFing since LO was born 3.5 weeks ago.  He will not latch on.  I've seen a LC 4 times and been to a LLL meeting, nothing is working.  I tried two different nipple shields and had some success, but he's refused them for over a week. I've been pumping since I left the hospital and am producing enough BM to avoid supplementing so far.

Besides all the miserable feelings I've had b/c I can't get him on the breast, the pumping/storing/sterilizing/bottle making routine is eating away at me.  It is so time consuming and I was hoping someone would share her sterilizing process- I think there may be an easier way than what I'm doing.

I have been boiling everything for 10 minutes every 24 hours and then rinsing in  warm soapy water after each use. Since yesterday I've used the medela microwave bags, but since I use so many bottles, nipples and caps I have to run it about 4 times.  Also, any advice on getting the bottles to dry quicker?  Sometimes I get desperate and use a paper towel, but would rather let them dry naturally (I rotate many bottles a day b/w feedings and pumps).  Lastly, I've read about sterilizing in the dishwasher- does anyone do this and do you run the bottles alone or with other dishes?  What about adding soap?

Any advice would be appreciated; thank you.

bancbev

I stopped sterilizing bottles, nipples and pump parts at around 2 weeks.  I just hand washed or ran on the regular cycle in the dishwasher, with my other dishes.

ksulli

I certainly do not sterilize daily. Usually more like weekly, but I do wash with HOT soapy water. I have 2 sets of pump parts though, and will do two pumping sessions in a row with the same set (BM is fine at room temp for several hours (8-10?)- I pump every four, you could probably do 3 or 4 without washing depending on how often). This means hot soapy water once every night, and boiling on weekends. Get enough parts & bottles to make it through 24 hours, if you're going to EP it's a very worthwhile investment. I only pump at work, and the 2nd set has been life changing. You also could store the parts & bottles in the fridge, then you don't have to wash so much.

backinpgh

Unless your LO was premature or your pedi otherwise said so, there's no need to sterilize every day.

I wash our bottles in the sink in hot water with Palmolive bottle wash. I do keep them separate from our other dishes.

SushiNoMore

I have a preemie, and, when he was in the NICU, I sterilized parts every day.  Now that he's home, though, I'd be embarrassed to admit how infrequently I sterilize the parts.  I run everything through the dishwasher, and it's fine.