sterilizers?!

[pinkcowprint]

i am pregnant with my first child and have no idea what kind of sterilizer i should be buying,has anyone any recommendations if they have used any?i have seen some which need sterilizer tablets and some which dont,which seem better for the baby as there is no chance of residue etc,but apart from that i have no idea what i should be looking for when choosing one!any help greatly thanked.

[redcrx]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Family/Question 510809.html is a thread that went on about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully this will help you.

Its all very daunting with your first isnt it, youll find that you will buy some things that you just dont get on with and change your views on things once baby arrives.

[alinic]

Congrats first of all, i have used a steam sterilizer, and wouldnt use anything else with my second and hes ten now! and its still going strong as some of my friends have borrowed it too!
Happy pregnancy!

[lil123]

I agree the steam ones are great
No sore hands from the solution based ones and the bottles just seem to look and feel cleaner too
They are a lot cheaper to use as well
I have seen some half price at boots recently too well worth investing in as they can last for years

[twinny-15]

HI congrats .. have u considered breast feeding ???? free /ready made/ and no need to sterilize it is great trust me .. twinny

[Tim123]

I know a couple of sets of parents. In both cases they spent lots of time and money sorting out bottle sterilization before the birth of their first child. In both cases they ended up using the dishwasher.

[Psychick]

twinny, I plan on breastfeeding myself but I have still bought a steriliser as I will need to steralise other items such as dummies, nipple guards and the bottles I will need for cooled boiled water for baby to drink and for expressed milk so babys dad can join in feeding times too.

[cozican]

hi pinkcowprint. ive just had my 3rd child, and i use a microwave steamer sterilizer. they are easy to use,cheap, and very fast, , plus because they arnt electric, they are really easy to clean. i recommend them to all my friends.

[tracymort]

Babies who are breastfed don't need water until eating meals and then they can have a cup. Breastmilk is 88% http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/baby- water.html
Dummies aren't a good idea if you plan on breastfeeding (nipple confusion, non nutritive sucking still has a purpose in maintaining your supply, and postponing your fertility) and the need for nipple shields is very unlikely. It's rare they are used now. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/wean- shield.html
Don't waste your money on things you'll probably never need.
Why not go along to an NCT or LLL meeting before you give birth and talk to mums with experience.
These magazies and catalogues do sell the idea of gadgets and gizmos you really don't need.
Me personally all I need for a new baby are some cloth nappies, clothes, breasts, a good sling ( like these here http://www.bigmamaslings.co.uk makes breastfeeding discretely on the go easy) and a car seat for the car (that stays there, it's not healthy for babies to be in car seats too long).
I have 3 children...never bought bottles or sterilizer.

[tracymort]

Oh and Dads don't need to have a go of feeding to be involved. So much more Dads can do than use a bottle and possibly risk jeopardising breastfeeding.

http://www.dy-dee.com/html/breastfeeding_fathe rs.html

Dads are great for taking baby for a walk, wearing ina sling, bathtime, massage, playing and chatting. The hassle of expressing, sterilising, getting baby to take a bottle etc is a whole lot of work that is unecessary and can confuse baby too. Never make more work for yourself than you have to when you have a new baby!

[Jillius]

I breastfed for the first 5 months, though I still gave bottles of water but I never sterilised anything. My kids are now 20 and 14 and have never had a days illness in their lives.
My sister in law sterilised everything, including door handles, the cat, etc and my nephew caught every bug going.

[Ice.Maiden]

To all those who've used steam sterilizers, or are about to - my son was "poisoned" by one at 4 week's old. The sterilizer looked immaculately clean, as were the bottles, etc. As my son lost weight and vomited, we were frantic with worry. Just before he was due to go into hospital for invasive tests, I was descaling my kettle. For some reason I tried it in the sterilizer. Within 10 minutes, a sludgy brown resdue appeared, which I instinctively knew was the cause of the illness. I turned to the old fashioned method of boiling each bottle in a pan, & never had any trouble after that. The manufactuers of the sterilizer wouldn't admit to being at fault, but "compensated" me with several hundred pounds worth of gift vouchers. Just be ultra vigilant.

[Jillius]

sounds like my veg steamer ice.maiden ! It alwayds ends up with brown sludge in the bottom , Yuk

[Ice.Maiden]

Oh LOL Jillius!!!! Here's my shameful secret - I wouldn't know how to use a veg steamer!!! Oh no!!! Hide with embarrassment.

[andrea81]

Get a microwavable one. Simple reason are:

1) cheeper
2) just as effective (my hubby works in food hygiene and is qualified in knowing how good it is!)
3) if you get a powecut you can use as a clod water steriliser using tablets as you know the container has only been used for steralising and will be a perfect vesil for your bottles!

Congrats and good luck - i'm on my second now and will be using microwavable one again!

[Jillius]

lol ice.maiden, you would be able to use mine........it is very simple !! If I can fathom it out anyone can.

[natalie_1982]

Tracy, I would actually like my partner to be able to feed our baby, and I know he would absolutely love to do so. I feel he would be missing out on something very important if I did not express so that he is able to feed too.

[andrea81]

Sorry - just to add. Some mothers find breasfeaedign hard for many reasons other than not wanting to. And also sucking is a baby's independant way of soothing themselves and will suck anything i.e. thumb, blanket etc...

If you think your child needs a dummy then go for it! Why deprive a child of something that they may need!

If you love your child and keep them safe and fed, how you do it really is a matter of personal choice!

Thats it - bug bare put to rest!

[Ice.Maiden]

I doubt it Jillius. I think me and your veg steamer'd have something in common - that being the "simple" angle. x

[gem_35]

personally i use a cold water steriliser. i wouldnt use anything else. i use only milton tablets for it. its everyones preference tho.

[pinkcowprint]

thanks everybody for all your advice,i personally dont want to breast feed and i know how good its supposed to be for the baby etc etc,but its personal choice,i may feel different when i have it,thanks for all your replies.xx