Sterilize or not to sterilize?

Question

My in laws think I should sterilize everything around my 5 weeks old every day. Not just bottles and pacifier, but even toys and everything around his changing table. I think it is not good for his immune system, kids shoud have some germs around so their body could get used to them, otherwise they are going to develop alergies and such things later. Who is right, me or them?

Answer 1

Actually you. While it's good to keep things clean, even doctors say that some germs in the home actually help strengthen the immune system. I kept things anally clean for my oldest, and boy am I paying for it now, she has almost no immune system it seems. One child sneezes and 3 days later, she is always sick. So don't go nuts and expose him to other kids as much as you can.

Answer 2

It is important to keep things as clean as possible. Your baby doesn't have a fully developed immune system that can tackle the germs an adult can handle. I mean, don't go around changing his clothes every time he burps up on them, but keep anything that goes into or around his mouth and hands clean. Babies can get a yeast infection, called Thrush from unsanitary items going into their mouths, like bottles and pacifiers. Those should be sterilized after each use. Allergies are genetic--so those will happen if they are present. He will be around germs enough as he gets older. Trust me, nothing is harder to deal with than a sick newborn who can't tell you what is wrong and only screams his or her head off for hours at a time. Toys are OK to just wipe off if they are sticky or have been dropped too many times. Use your judgement. Go to the American Pediatric Associations website for more info.

Answer 3

You are both right to a certain extent. Everything that you buy should be sterilized before use. After that general cleaning should be fine. Disinfect toys about once a week. You can use Lysol wipes, or the dishwasher if water won't hurt them. The changing table should be wiped after each use (Lysol wipes). Your inlaws come from a different time, they are not completely wrong. And you are right about the germs, their immune systems need to be exposed to some to grow strong enough to fight them.

Answer 4

If you want get some of those wipes but don't go crazy with sterilizing everything. The bottles, nipples and pacifiers I say yes. Sterilize them when you first get it and you should do it often during use too because even with washing bacteria can stay and cause a form of yeast infection in the babies mouth. Toys, yes if they are hand me downs but the wipes will do just fine.

Answer 5

Sterilizing in the previous the 1st use is a good option, yet after that cleansing soap and water will do fantastic. while my oldest replaced into on the bottle, we sterilized his bottles as quickly as a week and something of the time we basically used cleansing soap and water. This time around i do no longer could desire to problem approximately it as plenty because of the fact my maximum up-to-date addition breast feeds, yet we did purchase some sippy cups for her that we sterilized in the previous the 1st use and now we basically wash them in soapy warm water. Sterilization after each and every use isn't mandatory. even nevertheless i could sterilize perhaps 2 or thrice a month just to maintain germs and micro organism at bay.

Answer 6

I sterilize only what will go in my baby's mouth and only for 3 months. After that, I believe it's counterproductive to a healthy immune system. You should take into consideration how healthy your baby is though. If he was born early or with any complications, or if he's exclusively formula fed, I might sterilize more often. I wouldn't worry to much about the toys and such though...only things that go in his mouth.

Answer 7

Germs are a natural part of the environment. Pay some attention to items that go in your baby's mouth, but it's overkill to sterilize everything everyday. However, your in-laws are sharing their "advice" because they care about their grandchild. Grandparents also tend to forget what the practicalities of day-to-day living with an infant. You're fine. Baby is fine. Just smile, thank them for their concern, and do your own thing.

Answer 8

I would try to walk the middle line in this case. Others may not agree. You need to be very careful with any food preparation but more relaxed with other situations.

I would sterilize all bottles & teats, at least until baby starts putting things in his mouth &/or crawling. At that stage, he will certainly come into contact with the germs around him. I don't think you need to sterilize everything else. Keeping his surroundings generally clean should be enough. I'm inclined to agree that we need to get used to the bugs around us, otherwise as soon as your little one starts kindy or childcare he will be more likely to get sick as he hasn't been able to develop immunity to any bugs.

(By the way…pacifiers/dummies don't need to be sterilized in Milton solution or similar as it doesn't actually kill off all germs, - boiling water should be enough).

Answer 9

I would consistently sterilize obvious things, like the changing table, diaper bin, high chair, etc. Otherwise I would just wipe off other things your child comes in contact with every week or so. I really liked those Pamper's Wipes that come in a tube. They are made for cleaning things that babies touch, and/or put their mouth on. They are really convenient and safe for your little one. They will keep things looking dust and drool free.

Answer 10

If your baby puts everything in his/her mouth then you'd need to sterilize toys but until then just bottles and what ever goes into his/her mouth