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How To Sterilise Bottles Whilst Travelling Abroad | 5 Tips to Help

I’ve had several people ask me how I’ve managed to sterilise bottles on a 24-hour flight with a baby. Here are some useful tips on sterilising bottles when travelling (I’ve both breastfed and bottle fed with formula, so for breastfeeding tips on a plane, you may find this post useful.)

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How to sterilize baby bottles when traveling

• For sterilised baby bottles for travelling consider bringing some disposable sterilising bags. They come complete with a sterilising tablet so you just need to add water. These are ready for use within 15 minutes. The bags are also suitable for use with water abroad and last for 24 hours. They can get a little heavy so either put them in a safe place on the plane or use at your destination.

• If your flight is fairly short, bring plenty of bottles (allow for delays) which have been pre-sterilised. I opted this for a 12-hour flight with my then 11 week old. I put each bottle into a Ziploc bag with and labelled each one with the time her feed was due. (If you are travelling over 12 hours, then bringing this many bottles may not be possible so you will need to look at another option for sterilising bottles on a long haul flight.)

• Another option is to consider using bottle liners, which cut down the number of bottles you need to bring. These are pre-sterilised and you simply replace for the next feed. Several brands liners double up as milk storage bags too but check all bottle liners to see if they fit your bottle type first!

• A further solution is to bring a travel steriliser on holiday. There are several single bottle travel sterilisers on the market which can work in microwaves or for cold water. There are also microwave steam steriliser bags available too.

• Once at your destination or hotel ask for a large container so you can use the cold water sterilising option such as Milton sterilising tablets. If one isn’t available, simply fill the hotel room sink. For more tips on how to sterilise bottles when away, including sterilising baby bottles in hotels see here.

What is the best best bottle steriliser you have found for travelling? How do you sterilize bottles on holiday or vacation? Please let me know in the comments!

Can I use the water abroad to make up bottles?

Always check to see if drinking the local water is recommended or advised against. If it is allowed, then always boil it first and don’t use previously boiled water.

Is it OK to use bottled water for formula?

Generally, bottled water is not recommended because it may contain too many minerals- namely sodium or sulphate and it is not sterile.

However, when you are travelling or visiting some countries using drinkable tap water and boiling it may not be possible. If you do need to make up a feed with bottled water make sure it has;

• Less than 200 milligrams (mg) a litre of sodium (Na)
• No more than 250mg a litre of sulphate (SO4)
• Boil water to make up formula feeds
• Seek advice from your nurse or your doctor before you travel if you are unsure or think you may have to do this.

What else should I pack?

Packing for a baby or toddler can seem rather daunting at first. I think for me, it was the ‘what if’ scenarios which had me pack for all eventualities! However, it obviously depends how you are travelling; by plane, train etc, domestic or international and several other things. To help you decide what is relevant for you, I’ve compiled a useful packing list for babies and toddlers here.

Baby and Toddler Travel Toys

Entertainment for little ones can vary depending on airline and mode of transport. Here are some useful options including non screen time and cheap travel toy options to help entertain them.

Sleeping on a Plane

You’ve fed your baby, sterilised the bottles, they have played for a bit and now you hope they go to sleep? I have a fully detailed section here on baby bassinets and how to help get your baby or toddler to sleep on a plane too! Hope it helps!

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