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Can I stop sterilizing bottles for my 5 month old?

Canadian guidance says to keep disinfecting bottles at every use no matter the baby's age, which is stricter than some other countries' advice for healthy older babies.

The UK says sterilise until 12 months, while US guidance says careful washing alone is often enough for healthy babies past 2 months.

Strength of evidence

Mixed

All sources are national health guidelines (tier 1), but Canadian, UK and US bodies do not fully agree on when strict sterilizing can stop, so this is a guideline conflict rather than a single evidence base.

What the evidence says

In Canada, the official advice from HealthLink BC is to disinfect bottles and feeding equipment for babies of any age, not just young infants. This means Canadian guidance does not give a specific age, like 5 months, when you can stop.

This is a bit different from some other countries. In the United States, the CDC says sanitizing, which means killing germs with heat or chemicals after washing, is most important for babies under 2 months old, premature babies, or babies with weak immune systems. For healthy older babies, careful washing with hot soapy water may be enough, without a separate sanitizing step every time.

In the United Kingdom, the NHS recommends continuing to sterilise all bottle feeding equipment until your baby turns 12 months old, to help lower the risk of tummy bugs like diarrhea and vomiting.

Since your baby is 5 months old and healthy, many families in Canada choose to keep disinfecting bottles daily as HealthLink BC suggests, especially if formula is used, since powdered formula is not sterile and can carry bacteria. If your baby was born early, has a weakened immune system, or has ongoing health issues, sticking with full sterilizing is especially important.

If you are unsure what is right for your family, it is worth asking your baby's doctor or public health nurse. They can consider your baby's health history and your local water safety when giving personal advice.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked August 8, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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