What to do when sterilising

[baileybubs]

Ok this may seem like a really stupid question and despite what I've read nothing is clear on this to me!!

I have a microwave steriliser which can hold up to 4 bottles.

So if I sterilise 4 bottles, then what do I do?? Because from what I can gather, I need to sterilise then have to use the bottle straight away. Surely I cant make my baby wait that length of time whilst sterilising the bottle before I make her feed??
And why can the steriliser hold up to 4 bottles if you have to use them straight away, you can only use one at a time!!

So do I put cooled boiled water into the bottles once they are sterilised and put them in the fridge, and then just add powder and warm when I need them??

Sorry if this all seems like common sense, its all baffling me!

TIA

 

[Pink Beauty]

Hi

I too have a steriliser that holds 4 bottles. I do what you've said and add water to the 4 bottles, put them in the fridge, add milk when ready and heat it up.

xx

 

[baileybubs]

Thanks pink beauty, I thought that was right but no matter where I look online/in books theres actually no proper info on what you should do!!

 

[mandimoo]

I dont know if I have misunderstood the above post, but I think it is incorrect.

You must add the powder to water that is 70C minimum, to kill any bacteria that may be lurking in the powder. It is not sufficient to add the powder to cooled water. The water on its own would be fine, as it had been boiled, but the risk is in the formula powder. Hence the water needs to be at a high temperature to kill possible bacteria. I know a lot of people do add formula to cooled boiled water and their babies are fine. This will be because the formula must have been clean. But formula is not made in a sterile environment, so there is a risk of contamination by bacteria.

I cannot wait for individual bottles when LO is crying either, so this is what I do (which is still not recommended, but safer than above).

I make 3 bottles at a time. Line up the sterilised bottles. Pour in the freshly boiled water that has only been left to cool for 5 to 10 mins. Add the powder. Shake the bottles. Stand them in a bowl of cold water for 10 mins before putting them in the fridge. When its time for a feed, warm one bottle.

Hope this helps

 

[Beccaboop]

I know its not recommended anymore but my mum and mil did it so this is what we do:
Sterilise 4 bottles at a time then make up all 4 and put them in the fridge after 10/15 mins when they have cooled down a bit and heat them up in the botte warmer or if im out i ask for hot water in a cafe or somewhere most places have no problem with this!

 

[baileybubs]

Thanks ladies, it really is all so confusing!! I'm going to mention to my midwife tomorrow as she will be coming for a visit and see what she says.
Thanks for the advice!! My mum also said she used to make them up and keep them in the fridge. I will let you all know what my midwife actually says!!

 

[SmileyKez]

There is so much conflicting advice, my hv told me something totally different to what my sisters told her!

I also have the TT steriliser, I do 4 bottles at a time, seal them with lids on and put them on the side on a sterile tray. I figure if they are sealed how unsterile can they be? I make feeds up with boiling water as LO is on comfort milk. My bottles are also washed in very hot soapy water!

I clean my kitchen with detol, I have no pets so I am sure they are sterile enough!

 

[baileybubs]

This was my original thought on it, as I thought that sterilising them was to kill bacteria from the milk so therefore putting the lids on straight after sterilising should keep them sterile inside...........confused.com!!

 

[LisaM]

I have done this for both my babies and double checked with the midwife when I had my 2nd that this was the right thing to do. Neither of my babies have ever been sicky or ill from how the bottles were prepared. Sometimes I think we get too hung up on doing everything exactly the way should when in reality if we did each bottle the correct way, your baby would be so upset by the time it was actually made.

I boil the kettle then sterilise my bottles (avent micro, takes 6 mins)
Pour the boiled water into my bottles to the amount you feed then close the bottles up
Leave to cool (I have never stored in the fridge)
When I need a bottle I unscrew the lid, put the bottle in the micro for 20 secs so it's just lukewarm then add the powder and shake. Not saying it's the right or the only way to do it, it's just what works for me and is the easiest way I've found after trying a few ways at the beginning with my daughter. xxx

 

[baileybubs]

Yeah I think if we followed the guidelines to the letter our LOs would be so distressed by the time the feed was ready.

 

[baileybubs]

Well I spoke to my MW today and she says that once I take my bottles out of the steriliser, to put the teats and lids on straight away and then they are fine to sit on the side until ready for use. She says that it's the inside where the milk has been that we are concerned with so as long as we seal them straight away that's the best we can do.

 

[arlene]

Anoher suggestion I've heard is to sterilise your bottles, then make up a feed withnhalf the amount of boiling water, for example 3 scoops for a 6 ounce feed (or whatever it is) with 3ozs of water. Put that in the fridge when cool then when bubs is ready for a feed, add the other 3 ozs of freah boiling water and that way the milk is warm enough xx