sterilising bottles

[k8bailey]

hello, if I sterilise bottles in an electric steam steriliser then put the bottles together (put teat and lid on) empty... are they still sterile and if so,how long will they stay sterile for like this?

I have bottles of ready made formula, but once its opened it has to be used within two hours or refrigerated....we're going to a wedding so can't keep it in the fridge but have enough ready made bottles for the day, so just need sterile feeding bottles to tip it into - need to be careful because little one is only 8 weeks old

TIA k8

[redcrx]

they are not the greatest but have you tried the disposable bottles? http://www.boots.com/...low-five-pack_862526/

the others wont stay sterile and i would stay on side of caution with your little one

[annie0000]

No idea about the bottles K8, just wanted to say congratulations! What did you have? I didn't see a post about it so sorry if I missed it.

[momcj]

I thought if they were made up, refridgerated and then kept in cooler bag they would be ok. Thats what i used to do with my girl when she was little and we went out for the day. Depends what venue the wedding is at and facilities, but if nothing to warm up bottle,you could take a thermo flask of boiling water and bowl to warm up when needed.

[tigwig]

I wouldn't bother with the ready made milk, I would make up bottles as normal and refrigerate them over night then take them to the wedding in a cool bag. You can buy special baby ones that will keep bottles cool for 8 hours. Or depending on how many feeds you need might be best taking a larger normal cooler bag!

[tiggerblue10]

Congratulations K8 x,

Once sterilised bottles should remain sterile for around 6 hours. If I'm going out I'll make up the sterilsed bottle with teat and lid and take a carton of ready made formula. As instructed on the powder formula box you should use it within 2 hours of making it so it can't be made up in advance as the powder has not been sterilsed. I think these are recent guidelines.

[k8bailey]

thanks all!

I had another girl, she was born on sept 2nd (2 days late) We called her Ivy Lola. I never got around to posting an announcement, it's all been a bit too hectic - she was 7lbs 4oz at birth then didn't really put on any weight for 6 weeks, she's been admitted to hospital 3 times for 'faltering growth' staying in for between 2 and 4 nights each time) , tried all sorts of reflux medications, had blood and urine tests, an ultrasound, tried hypoallergenic milk and now she's on high calorie milk which i think is working...slowly.

Her high calorie milk is only available as ready mixed formula, hence the question really....anyway survived the wedding using 2 sterile teats I stole from the hospital last time we were there, and a trip back to the hotel half way through the day to sterilise....couldn't find those bottles in our local boots red, but may order some online to keep in stock!

[redcrx]

glad you got around it somehow.

You can sometimes get similar bottles in supermarkets, cant recall the name now though :(

[tigwig]

Oh yes of course I forgot you can actually buy those tiny bottles they use in hospitals in Asda and Sainsburys. They are only normal formula though not the special kind your LO is on. May be worth bearing that in mind for possible future use. Hope little Ivy Lola gains weight for you and doesn't have anymore horrible hospital stays.