[sky123]

My steam steriliser has just broken down on me and wanted to buy a secondhand one as I don't expect to be using one for long with #1 baby and don't want to buy new one until have #2 (don't want warranty to run out) so willing to buy if at a reasonable price. Thanks!

[MilkMonster]

Hi Sky,
You could just get a food steamer! See my post here for more details:
http://milkmonsterlaughs.blogspot.co...sterilize.html

[sky123]

Thanks for the suggestion but I note that there is a hole in the top so it won't keep bottles sterile for night feeds.

[MilkMonster]

you mean the vents? Yeah there are small holes.

The bacteria you want to eliminate are the ones from spoiled formula/milk, which will make baby sick which is why you need to sterilize the bottles, not from everyday household bacteria which is good for baby to be exposed to. Anyway, we used this method without a problem, baby has never been sick :)

after bottles have been sterilized, they are ok at room temp. inside or outside the sterilizer, alternatively you could place them in the fridge if it makes you feel better :) There needs to be bacteria present for bacteria to grow so if you sterilize, there will be no bacteria in the bottles so unless you touch the inside of the bottles with unwashed hands/food, they are safe to use even after a few hours.