When can you stop sterilizing?

cottonlily84

Or can you ever with nipples?  What about spoons and bottles?  Are you supposed to sterilize sippy cups (haven't started using those yet)?  I know in the beginning it's to protect sensitive tummies from bacteria but it's getting kinda old doing double dish duty now! 

anamandelli

I would like to know as well...forgot to ask the pedi.

law&order

Um, I can't tell you the last time I sterilized bottles or nipples (it might have been right when I bought them!).  Hot water and soap or the dishwasher is all I do now.  

cast920

I think you only need to do it once before first use unless there is some medical need to sterilize. 

AMcLaws

Same here. Every few days I'll run them through my dishwasher, but I don't do special loads for them

christyjane17

law&order:

Um, I can't tell you the last time I sterilized bottles or nipples (it might have been right when I bought them!).  Hot water and soap or the dishwasher is all I do now.  

This...and maybe a few times since I bought them.   

dinonugget1517

I sterilized alot at the beginning because he was a premie, but I haven't sterilized anything in a good 4 to 5 months.  And by that I mean, I haven't boiled or steamed anything in the microwave.  They still get either scrubbed with hot water and soap or put in the dishwasher.

SusieBW

I boiled my bottles before I used them the first time, but not since.  I also used to sterilize DD's pacifiers before first use, but the last package I bought her, I just washed in soapy water and gave her.  Same with her spoons and everything else.  I guess I probably stopped sterilizing when she was about 4 months?  I also don't bother washing bibs or sweatshirts/jackets before she wears them.  I still wash clothes first, though.

Temp123197812503460

Now that they can move around on the floor and put everything in their mouth sterilizing seems pretty pointless.

dairygirl19

I haven't sterilized anything since I brought them home. I did it before I used them. Otherwise the dishwasher was great.

I did sterilize pump parts when I was bfing..because I wasn't always the best about washing them with great detail.

cottonlily84

I kinda figured it was getting pointless.  I know you can't sterilize forever.  But I did think you were supposed to do it in addition to dishwashing.  I feel dumb now!

Purplehayzes

somewhereincali:

Now that they can move around on the floor and put everything in their mouth sterilizing seems pretty pointless.

 

This.  My doctor said once they start putting everything else in their mouths, you don't need to sterilize anymore. 

Scramblersmom

law&order:

Um, I can't tell you the last time I sterilized bottles or nipples (it might have been right when I bought them!).  Hot water and soap or the dishwasher is all I do now.  

This is all you need to do. The bottles and nipples do not need to be sterilized...the formula or milk isn't sterile and neither is any water you put in the bottles.  Soap and water is all you need.

Karen1998

cast920:

I think you only need to do it once before first use unless there is some medical need to sterilize. 

This.  However, many bottles come with directions to sterilize by boiling weekly to "maintain" the bottle parts.  Ours usually hit the boiling water every month or so.  We also dishwasher everything and use a hot enough cycle that they're pretty darn close to sterile when they come out anyway.  

frogyie

law&order:

Um, I can't tell you the last time I sterilized bottles or nipples (it might have been right when I bought them!).  Hot water and soap or the dishwasher is all I do now.  

jmo866

I don't know what the "suggested" age is, if there is one, but I stopped at 6 months. I figured that's what bottle brushes were for, and good old dish soap seems to get it much cleaner than when I was boiling anyways.

Jelliebean1982

I haven't sterilized anything since I first bought it except for pump parts.  Otherwise it's just soap and water.  

fairy_diva

I never did from birth after the initial boil the nipples & paci's before first use.  Just washed in hot soapy water.  And now? He chews on everything, there's no point.