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By Stephanie Brown, About.com Guide to Babies & Toddlers since 2003

Do You Sterilize Your Baby's Bottles?

Saturday June 14, 2008
In the days before dishwashers and safe water supplies, sterilization was not just a common practice, it was necessary to protect babies from illness or possibly even death. If you have an alternate water supply like a well or there's been a flood or other disaster in your area, it's still necessary even today. But parents who use a dishwasher and have a safe city water supply need not ever sterilize bottles and nipples or boil water before mixing formula unless directed by a physician or other health care provider.

And even when you get a recommendation from a health care provider, you might inquire about why this practice is necessary. Some doctors may know that the water supply in your area is not up to par, but some physicians have just always told parents this and it's a habit that's hard to break. You shouldn't be afraid to ask. Besides, if the reason is because of a poor water supply, you will want to boil water and sterilize dishes for your entire family, not just your baby.

Comments

August 8, 2007 at 5:47 am
(1) V says:

You need a “I breastfed, not bottle fed” choice in your survey!

August 22, 2007 at 11:14 pm
(2) Christine says:

In response to the first comment…
The poll and article is about Sterilizing baby bottles, so why would there need to be a “I breasfed, not bottle fed” choice?? If you don’t use bottles, then the poll doesn’t pertain to you. If they were to add “I breastfed, not bottle fed” to the survey, they might as well add something like “I don’t have kids”.

June 15, 2008 at 7:54 am
(3) Stewart says:

This advice goes against all current medical recommendations and should not be listened to.

June 15, 2008 at 8:04 am
(4) Melissa says:

wells are not dirty, contaminated water in need of sterilization. I do have a filter and I have my well water tested yearly. It is very safe and cleaner than most tap water. To say that having a well means you should sterilize your drinking water is absurd.

June 16, 2008 at 11:09 am
(5) babyparenting says:

Thank you Stewart and Melissa… I have addressed your comments here: More on Sterilizing Your Baby’s Bottles

June 18, 2008 at 7:51 am
(6) Susan says:

My son is from Korea. When we went to bring him home, the family from Australia staying in the same guest house sterilized everything. I second-guessed my self for a little while thinking that they knew something I didn’t. I did not sterilize, however, and my son is a happy healthy 4 year old now.

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