For 0-6 months, sterilising bottles is due to bacteria that can form in bottles and babies having immature immune systems and so vulnerable to infections or illness. It’s also due to babies digestive system being immature and the risk of gut problems if they get sick or have bugs introduced too young. Can take many years to ‘fix’ gut issues in babies and these issues affect other body parts and systems too.
Personally I stopped after 6 months as Bubs system is more developed and by 6 months they’re moving around, putting things in their mouth etc.
but for young babies definitely sterilise bottles – especially if using formula.

Because their immune system isn’t very developed yet, and they’re more vulnerable to germs.

Never sterilise. Just hot water and soap. The immune system is failing children through antibacterial soaps and antibiotics. If the bottles etc are washed immediately after use then they don’t need sterilising

It’s because their immune system is low and not as good as ours. The ABA say that it’s not necessary with breast milk and associated items like EBM bottles but if your Bub is formula fed then to do it.

Once 6 months rolls around I get slack. Bub has started solids and I dot sterilise bowls and spoons. the bottles get a go at the end of every day

because their immune systems arent fully developed i believe

To be honest, I never sterilised anything. Anything that needed washing was done in hot soapy water, then rinsed in cold water, and left to air dry before being appropriately stored. At a preparation for childbirth class we were told that it is unnecessary to sterilise things and I would have to agree (after all, you don’t need to sterilise your boobs prior to each breastfeed!). So unless medically advised, I honestly don’t think it is necessary to sterilise anything. So to answer your question: in most circumstances, it’s not (possible exceptions being for immuno-compromised and/or high risk bubs). Mind you, if I was getting something second hand (which I didn’t) I would probably sterilise it first as you can never guarantee its history.

I sterilised all my little ones things till he was 6 months and this included the breast pump parts. I was always in the ‘better safe than sorry’ camp but I also didn’t know the ABA said it was ok to wash the pumps parts with just soap and water. Think with even knowing that now I would still steralise everything.

It depends on if you use formula or if you are expressing breast milk. The ABA current recommendation is that sterilizing is unnecessary for breast pumps and bottles. Just soap and hot water. Your breast isn’t sterile. Your babies hands are not sterile. There is a lot of evidence that the reason that western countries have a higher rate of allergies and asthma is that babies environments are TOO sterile. It’s a balancing act and I think sterilization takes it too far.

I sterilize everything for my baby.. I plan to sterilize everything for at least 6 months.. I have a sterilizing unit at home that I use so it’s pretty quick to sterilize..

I have 3 kids and another one on the way and with every bubba I have sterilized their bottles until they reach 6 mths old as that’s when they start on solids and sitting up and moving around and that’s where germs are picked up and ive always believed that certain germs can actually help build their immune system.

Some purchased baby bottle liquid preparations can cause thrush too. I won’t name the brand on here for legal reasons I knows of 2 cases and both mums switched to the tablets that dissolve in water. Going back 2 or 3 generations teats and dummies used to be boiled. Don’t even think about it!! They go sticky and you can’t use them again. It is important that sterilised bottles etc. are kept in a clean container, or at least then covered to keep dust and little flying bugs out of them. There are little white insects flying about outside than can easily come inside on your or anything you being in from outside.

Blondie said it well! You can get microwave sterilisers now that make the whole process simple.

Babies are very much vulnerable to illnesses as they don’t have all the immunisations yet and their immune system is quite weak. If you don’t sterilise the bottles, bacteria and parasites can gather and make baby ill. It can cause thrush, vomiting and diarrhoea.