Sterilising bottles and pump parts

I sterilize bottles after every use. I put pump parts in the refrigerator in between pump sessions and wash / sterilize once a day.

Bottles need to be washed and sterilised before every use. Pump parts can either be kept in the fridge, but this can be a bit chilly, or washed with soapy water between uses and then sterilised once a day

I don't know where you are, but in Australia the recommendation is that sterilising isn't necessary for breastmilk items (pumps, bottles etc). Hot soapy wash is sufficient, once a day for pumps. Can also be stored in a sealed bag/container between pumps. We need to sterilise formula items because the formula can breed bacteria. BM has its own protections.

They need washing and sterilising after every use and as you pump twice a day and give 1-2 bottles it will take you less than 5 mins twice a day to wash them and pop them into a million bucket better to be safe than sorry especially with a young baby. I’ve heard about keeping pump in a sealed bag in the fridge but when I looked into it it’s not ideal at all better just to wash and sterilise

I was told sterilization is only required under 2 months or if your child is sick otherwise washing with soap and water is ok.

In the uk the nhs advises washing and sterilising all pump parts and bottles after every use until 12 months x

I'm in Aus and my understanding is you definitely still need to sterilise your equipment for both expressed breastmilk and formula. Like some of the others have said, bottles need to be washed and sterilised after every use. Pump equipment can be refrigerated in between use and washed and sterilised once every day. If they're kept at room temp and exceed breastmilk guidelines (for example, on a warm bench for 8 hours), they'd need to be washed and sterilised between use too

@Chandra so annoying isn’t it!!x

@Louise absolutely. Im from the US where we are told back is best to put baby to sleep and never on the belly.. and had my baby via surrogacy and it was born in kenya where belly is best and never put baby on its back.. and that's when I realized none of us have any idea what is best for all babies, we just hope for the best. Now i go to my pediatrician in the US and tell her flat out I cosleep and she laughs and thanks me for not lying as she is sure so many moms lie about it in the us. (We are told not to co sleep here) prob so we can sell more cribs/bassinets and bigger houses.

@Chandra curious. Those in Kenya, are they aware of SIDS?

He is 7 weeks old and has been putting his hands in his mouth and licking my shoulders. It’s a bit pointless to sterilise maybe at this point even though it’s done before every use?

Sterilise after every use. I always use the Milton water bucket. replace the water once a day and add one tablet. Then dunk anything you need to in it for 24hrs and it's sterile after 15mins. Can just leave it in the water until wanna use it or assemble it and put away until ready to use

Bottles I sterilise after every use. Pump parts I don’t sterilise just wash in hot soapy water and leave to dry

@Kirsten they have more kids die for not having access to vaccines, waterborne illness and no access to clean water. Sids is a low killer in comparison so not as addressed. Kenya is not the only country that promotes co sleeping or stomach sleeping either. I think co sleeping and stomach sleeping is something people do but dont admit to.

Advice on this varies a lot. Personally I decided not to bother with sterilising, I wash immediately before use as I only pump every couple of days, so I freshly wash the pump and bottle and then use it.

I wash and sterilise all bottles after every use, and I wash my pumps after every use but only sterilise once a day x