Bottle Sterilizer Question

cswatch · February 2010

Just wondering who is registering for, already has, or plans on getting a bottle sterilizer?

We put one on the registry then I talked to two people who basically said that it's a waste and you can just put the stuff in the dishwasher and it's fine.

I was hoping to get an idea of what you ladies think. TIA!

stellablue96 · February 2010

It is a waste...but someone bought me one as a gift and I thought it was handy. You do need to sterilize before using at least the first time (the dishwasher does not sterilize). You can do this by boiling as well. There are also microwave bags that are cheaper.

Bottom line..I liked mine but it wasn't exactly needed.

Aliliv · February 2010

Waste:) A big pot with water and stove works pretty good. Also, if you have a sanitizing option on your dishwasher - that's fine too.

We had a bottle sterilizer and it sucked - it didn't hold all the bottles and it literally fried 2 of our microwaves because of the steam emitted, although I think that was probably not typical and most likely a problem with the sterilizer.

FutureMrs.Brady · February 2010

Aliliv:
Waste:) A big pot with water and stove works pretty good. Also, if you have a sanitizing option on your dishwasher - that's fine too.

We had a bottle sterilizer and it sucked - it didn't hold all the bottles and it literally fried 2 of our microwaves because of the steam emitted, although I think that was probably not typical and most likely a problem with the sterilizer.

This exactly. For the first use we boiled everything, then just washed it by hand or in the dishwasher after.

Aliliv · February 2010

LaurLaurLaur:

I am debating a sterilizer too, only because I don't have a dishwasher.

I was just reading in Baby Bargains that most sterilizers only fit or work for their brand of bottle and that some bottles can be permanently damaged in the wrong brands sterilizer.

It also seems to me like the sterilizers I looked at don't hold a full sized bottle- only a 6oz. Has anyone seen one that holds full sized bottles?

Avent has a micro. sterilizer that holds 9oz. bottles - but, I don't recommend it. The easiest (other than dishwasher to clean them) was using a huge pot (like a canning pot) and water and the stove.....

Mrs.B6302007 · February 2010

We put one on but are still debating as well. We don't run the dishwasher every day and the sterilizer for the microwave takes like 3 minutes vs. heating up the stovetop to boil water which takes 3x as long.

RBC · February 2010

I'm lurking... Hoping to be of help. I have the Avent steam sterilizer. It plugs into an electric outlet. One of the best purchases I've made. I use it everyday. I put medela bottles, Dr Browns, avent bottles, pecifiers, pump parts... All good. We use the six minute cycle which is much easier than waiting for the dishwasher. I highly recommend it. I haven't heard good things about the microwave type units and would recommend avoiding those. Hope this helps GL PS- you should boil items before using them the first time.

jellybelly03 · February 2010

Mrs.B6302007:
We put one on but are still debating as well. We don't run the dishwasher every day and the sterilizer for the microwave takes like 3 minutes vs. heating up the stovetop to boil water which takes 3x as long.

Waste. We washed by hand or put them in the dishwasher. Two things about this: 1. You may find that you're running the dishwasher more often once you have the baby BECAUSE you have bottles to deal with; and 2. You don't need to sterilize bottles with any frequency unless you have concerns about your water source, so you can just wash by hand.

Also, I found that with breastmilk, you actually do need to scrub parts a bit - just sterilizing does not get rid of the residue.

Good luck!

Meganellyce · February 2010

It is a waste...My mom has worked on the mother/baby unit as a RN for 16 years and she says the new updates are saying that the dishwasher is just as effective. So unless you dont have a dishwasher then I would register for one...

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