Avent Express Microwave Steam Sterilizer
- Brand: Philips AVENT
- Nursing and Feeding Type: Bottles and Accessories Sterilizers
- Type: Nursing and Feeding
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The Avent Steam Sterilizer - A Must for Moms with Well Water and Babies!
Pros
Easy to use and kills more harmful bacteria than the dishwasher!
Cons
Can cause burns if not used properly.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you have a well, travel or just need a way to really sterilize those bottle and breast pump parts, this sanitizer is for you.
Before we moved into our new home several years ago, we had some water testing done on our well. Imagine our surprise and the surprise of the former owner when the tests showed the well was contaminated. The well was fairly new and had only been drilled about three years prior and had passed water safety tests back then. We learned a lot through that experience and learned that you never take your drinking water for granted.
About a month or so before our daughter was born, we decided to run another test just to make sure our water was safe.
One important note here: If you have a well, you are supposed to have your well tested about once a year for bacteria and, if you have a baby in the house, you should test right before the baby is born. Simply smelling or tasting the water will not tell you if your well is contaminated, however if you do notice a change in smell, taste or color, get your water tested immediately!.
Fortunately our water was safe this time but because we have hard water and because our pediatrician recommends sterilizing bottles after every feeding when you have a well, I decided to purchase the Avent Express Steam Sterilizer.
What is this Sterilizer?
The Avent Express Steam Sterilizer is an all-plastic container used in the microwave to kill common household bacteria. The container is designed to hold up to four Avent bottles and the Isis breast pump parts. However, in lieu of the pump parts, I usually will fit smaller bottles in its place. The general cost for this sterilizer is about $29 but I bought mine on sale for about $20.
Using the Sterilizer
Using the Avent Sterilizer couldn't be easier. First, you pour seven ounces of water into the bottom of the sterilizer. I use distilled water rather than our well water for the sterilizer. We have very hard water here and I feel better when the bottles are not left with a milky film. Then, I simply wash my bottles as I normally do, in hot, soapy water, rinse them and place in the sterilizer. Next, I click the lid in place to make sure it is closed and place in the microwave for the allotted amount of time. The time depends on the wattage of your microwave and will range from four minutes to seven or eight minutes. The bottles remain sterile for up to three hours.
Why Sterilize?
Avent uses research to show that bacteria does not start to die until you reach 178 degrees which is higher than the 168 degrees (or less) of household dishwashers. The Avent Sterilizer reaches a sustained heat of 212 degrees thus killing off that nasty bacteria. Believe me, I am usually not a stickler for killing bacteria. I am against anti-bacterial soaps because while they kill off the weaker bacteria, the stronger bacteria is left and soon you have an unsafe level of bacteria in your home resistant to any anti-bacterial products. I'm digressing a bit but I just want to demonstrate that I'm normally not fanatical about bacteria, and in fact, I'm quite the opposite. I just know that sometimes some sneaky, nasty bacteria can enter our water supply.
So Why do I Sterilize my Daughter's Bottles?
If you have well water, even if you've had it tested recently, you need to sterilize those bottles. You never know when well water might become contaminated and, while your system probably could handle it, your infant's system does not have the same resistance and you could face some pretty serious problems. Also, even here in the good ol' USA, we have had instances of city water becoming contaminated. While I was doing research last summer, I had my infant daughter and son with me. While we were there, they discovered the water was contaminated and several people became sick. I felt fortunate because I had been using bottled water. Also, I had used my Avent Sterilizer to keep those bottles extra squeaky clean. If I had even been washing those bottles without sterilizing, my daughter probably would have been one of the sick people and who knows how serious it might have become. Unfortunately, with contaminated water, you generally do not know until it is too late and you become sick.
Some Warnings
First of all and most importantly, you have to remember that 212 degrees is pretty darn hot and can cause some pretty serious burns. The bottles remain sterile for up to three hours. I've had several times where I've been out of bottles, washed and sterilized them and open the container immediately after microwaving. Be prepared for a shot of hot, hot steam and it is enough to cause some burns. Even as careful as I am, sometimes a little water will be in the nipples and when I turn them over, I've gotten a slight burn. You really should give the sterilizer time to cool a bit. Also, while you can sterilize breast pump parts, I put the piston portion of my Medela Lactina in the sterilizer and it melted. Make sure everything you put in this Sterilizer is microwave safe.
What I like about this Sterilizer
I travel frequently and because of my experience with unsanitary water in the past, I am a bit skeptical of water when it comes to my daughter. I take this sterilizer and a couple bottles of distilled water every time I need to go out of town. I've used it at hotels, on Army bases and while visiting friends and relatives. This sanitizer has fit into every microwave I've come across although I am sure there are microwaves a bit too small for this container. I usually sterilize my bottles before a trip and keep them stored in the sterilizer. I also like the durability of this container. I've been using my sterilizer for almost a year and in that time it has traveled to six states, been dropped numerous times, left behind, shipped and otherwise abused and it is still like new.
What could be improved with this Sterilizer
I tend to make the most of each load and will load up four larger bottles, four smaller bottles, all the nipples and a pacifier or two. I do wish this container were a little larger but I know it wouldn't fit in some microwaves then. Other than it's size, which really is okay and serves its purpose, I don't have any complaints.
Who could benefit from this Sterilizer
Obviously, if you have well water, this sterilizer is a must. No more slaving over a pot of boiling water and fishing out bottle or breast pump parts. I'd also recommend this sterilizer if you travel because you never know what you'll encounter out there. And, of course, if you are a mom who just likes for baby's bottles to be extra clean, you'll love the Avent Express Microwave Steam Sterilizer
About a month or so before our daughter was born, we decided to run another test just to make sure our water was safe.
One important note here: If you have a well, you are supposed to have your well tested about once a year for bacteria and, if you have a baby in the house, you should test right before the baby is born. Simply smelling or tasting the water will not tell you if your well is contaminated, however if you do notice a change in smell, taste or color, get your water tested immediately!.
Fortunately our water was safe this time but because we have hard water and because our pediatrician recommends sterilizing bottles after every feeding when you have a well, I decided to purchase the Avent Express Steam Sterilizer.
What is this Sterilizer?
The Avent Express Steam Sterilizer is an all-plastic container used in the microwave to kill common household bacteria. The container is designed to hold up to four Avent bottles and the Isis breast pump parts. However, in lieu of the pump parts, I usually will fit smaller bottles in its place. The general cost for this sterilizer is about $29 but I bought mine on sale for about $20.
Using the Sterilizer
Using the Avent Sterilizer couldn't be easier. First, you pour seven ounces of water into the bottom of the sterilizer. I use distilled water rather than our well water for the sterilizer. We have very hard water here and I feel better when the bottles are not left with a milky film. Then, I simply wash my bottles as I normally do, in hot, soapy water, rinse them and place in the sterilizer. Next, I click the lid in place to make sure it is closed and place in the microwave for the allotted amount of time. The time depends on the wattage of your microwave and will range from four minutes to seven or eight minutes. The bottles remain sterile for up to three hours.
Why Sterilize?
Avent uses research to show that bacteria does not start to die until you reach 178 degrees which is higher than the 168 degrees (or less) of household dishwashers. The Avent Sterilizer reaches a sustained heat of 212 degrees thus killing off that nasty bacteria. Believe me, I am usually not a stickler for killing bacteria. I am against anti-bacterial soaps because while they kill off the weaker bacteria, the stronger bacteria is left and soon you have an unsafe level of bacteria in your home resistant to any anti-bacterial products. I'm digressing a bit but I just want to demonstrate that I'm normally not fanatical about bacteria, and in fact, I'm quite the opposite. I just know that sometimes some sneaky, nasty bacteria can enter our water supply.
So Why do I Sterilize my Daughter's Bottles?
If you have well water, even if you've had it tested recently, you need to sterilize those bottles. You never know when well water might become contaminated and, while your system probably could handle it, your infant's system does not have the same resistance and you could face some pretty serious problems. Also, even here in the good ol' USA, we have had instances of city water becoming contaminated. While I was doing research last summer, I had my infant daughter and son with me. While we were there, they discovered the water was contaminated and several people became sick. I felt fortunate because I had been using bottled water. Also, I had used my Avent Sterilizer to keep those bottles extra squeaky clean. If I had even been washing those bottles without sterilizing, my daughter probably would have been one of the sick people and who knows how serious it might have become. Unfortunately, with contaminated water, you generally do not know until it is too late and you become sick.
Some Warnings
First of all and most importantly, you have to remember that 212 degrees is pretty darn hot and can cause some pretty serious burns. The bottles remain sterile for up to three hours. I've had several times where I've been out of bottles, washed and sterilized them and open the container immediately after microwaving. Be prepared for a shot of hot, hot steam and it is enough to cause some burns. Even as careful as I am, sometimes a little water will be in the nipples and when I turn them over, I've gotten a slight burn. You really should give the sterilizer time to cool a bit. Also, while you can sterilize breast pump parts, I put the piston portion of my Medela Lactina in the sterilizer and it melted. Make sure everything you put in this Sterilizer is microwave safe.
What I like about this Sterilizer
I travel frequently and because of my experience with unsanitary water in the past, I am a bit skeptical of water when it comes to my daughter. I take this sterilizer and a couple bottles of distilled water every time I need to go out of town. I've used it at hotels, on Army bases and while visiting friends and relatives. This sanitizer has fit into every microwave I've come across although I am sure there are microwaves a bit too small for this container. I usually sterilize my bottles before a trip and keep them stored in the sterilizer. I also like the durability of this container. I've been using my sterilizer for almost a year and in that time it has traveled to six states, been dropped numerous times, left behind, shipped and otherwise abused and it is still like new.
What could be improved with this Sterilizer
I tend to make the most of each load and will load up four larger bottles, four smaller bottles, all the nipples and a pacifier or two. I do wish this container were a little larger but I know it wouldn't fit in some microwaves then. Other than it's size, which really is okay and serves its purpose, I don't have any complaints.
Who could benefit from this Sterilizer
Obviously, if you have well water, this sterilizer is a must. No more slaving over a pot of boiling water and fishing out bottle or breast pump parts. I'd also recommend this sterilizer if you travel because you never know what you'll encounter out there. And, of course, if you are a mom who just likes for baby's bottles to be extra clean, you'll love the Avent Express Microwave Steam Sterilizer
