New Mom Secret: I Don't Sterilize My Baby's Bottles
by The Stir Bloggers on December 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM
It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets—we won't tell.
This Week's Secret:
I never sterilize my baby's bottles. Not even when they're brand new. I just put it in the dishwasher and wash it that way. — anonymous
Question: Do you sterilize your baby's bottles?
Voting on polls is not available on The Stir Mobile.
- Yes. 30%
- No. 62%
- Other. Please explain below. 6%
Voting on polls is not available on The Stir Mobile.
We all have secrets and opinions—so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation nonjudgmental!
If you have a new mom secret you'd like to share anonymously, PM me.
Past confessions:
I Go to the Bathroom to Get "Me" Time
I Wash the Pacifier Off in My Mouth
I Turn Up The Volume When My Baby Cries
I Put Cereal in My Baby's Bottle
I'm Breastfeeding But I Crave Beer
I Sometimes Use Breastmilk for Cooking
I Drove My Baby Without a Car Seat
I Leave My Twin Babies Home Alone
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Comments
131-10 of 13 comments
justanotherjen
I never did either. Our doctors all said it wasn't necessary and to just wash them in hot soapy water or stick them in the dishwasher through a dry cycle. It gets hot enough in there to kill anything.
I think I boiled stuff with my first and last. My first because that is what you are "supposed" to do and my last because our water was a little iffy so I wanted to get them super clean but after those first bottles...I never steralized. It was a pain in the butt. My kids have never been sick from lack of sterlization. Heck we were known to lose a pacifier while out, buy a new pack and pop it in baby's mouth before leaving the parking lot. They're all still alive.
amw529
I boiled the bottles/nipples before the first use, but after that I was told just to wash in hot soapy water - no sterilization required.
Pollymom
I either handwash them if I feel like it or just throw all of it into the dishwasher. I put the nipples and all the little things into a dishwasher basket. I'm pretty sure the dishwasher gets hot enough to sterilize everything...I always use heat dry too.
Xandriasmommy
I only sterilized them because after a few weeks they discolored and filmy and I wanted them clear again.
pinkcicle709
mrseckstein
I did it once. And that is all. People told me I had to do it almost every day.
happymom1988
me and my dh do it everyday . for a couple of times , and i also run them in hot water : )
DustyQOTF
If you wash them in the dishwasher you dont need to sterilize them they get sterlized.. however by hand until 4 months you should sterlize them.. My docotor said if you breastfeed you do not have to sterlize them since your breasts arent sterlized. I suggest sterlizing bottles if your babys got a cold or ear infection or if the flu is going around the house.. Its just to help keep them from getting sick.
Tiffany Housler
The dishwasher does sterilize them
blue_glass_mama
I used the bottles with the disposable bags, and I just rinse off the nipples and rings and my kids are still alive and never were sick and they still never get sick and they are older now