The Latest Word from Dr Honda on Sterilizing & Boiling

@rbl just posed a really good question regarding whether distilled water is adequate to use for microwave steaming our equipment. We've been told that distilled water potentially carries NTM. If we only microwave the equipment for 3 minutes (per instructions) with 4 oz of distilled water in the bag, how can NTM be destroyed in that short of time, assuming that the front part of the 3 minutes is at lower than boiling temps? The equipment may be undergoing only a couple of minutes of optimal steam time.

@rbl
Check the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and sterilizing your equipment when in doubt. They've tested their equipment and know what their equipment can handle. Pay attention to replacement times. If it says replace every 3 months and you are cautious, do that.

If using distilled water in a baby bottle sterilizer there is no need to sterilize first. The baby bottle sterilizer will do that for you while sterilizing your equipment, as long as the cycle is over 5 minutes. I believe most of them are, and average between 8-13 minutes of steaming time.

The reason to use distilled water with our equipment has to do with mineral build up. Period. Spring water from your filtered system it seems will still have minerals (which our bodies need for drinking). That said, mineral buildup takes time to build up. You probably will replace your equipment before it becomes an issue.

The nebulizer I use is sensitive as it contains a metal mesh head. Manufacturer says to boil for 5 minutes in distilled water, so that's what I do. Replacement heads are expensive, $125 so I take good care of them. Sprint LC and Aeroeclipse nebulizers are much less expensive and are made of all plastic making them conductible to microwaving. 3+ minutes in microwave with spring water is fine. Look up manufacture instructions and follow them.

Remember that most of the cautions we read about originated around those living with cystic fibrosis, a very very vulnerable population.

@ursala7 I have asked Dr Honda whether her team tested the baby bottle sterilizers and microwave steam bags with distilled water straight from the bottle, or presterilized water and other questions that have been raised since her presentation.
I will post her response.

@sueinmn Last night on the news they mentioned some areas here (FL and AL) are on water boil recommendation post hurricane. They said to boil tap water for ONE minute before using!
I think I dropped what I was holding.
Just wanted to share. Not a recommendation.

@bamaqueen The post-storm recommendation is to kill e-coli and similar bacteria - one minute is adequate.

@sueinmn TY! I didn't know that. I've had the 10 min than 5, than 3 in my head so much I thought "really?". Fortunately, we only lost power for 13 hours and no boiling needed. I have a Life Straw dispenser anyway.

@sueinmn TY! I didn't know that. I've had the 10 min than 5, than 3 in my head so much I thought "really?". Fortunately, we only lost power for 13 hours and no boiling needed. I have a Life Straw dispenser anyway.

@bamaqueen I just bought a LifeStraw pitcher. How often do you take it all apart and clean it?

@bamaqueen I just bought a LifeStraw pitcher. How often do you take it all apart and clean it?

@marieaw I have the 18 cup dispenser which is a bit awkward to handle. I do a disinfecting clean every 3-4 weeks.
I use sterile water for the washing and rinsing.
I do not do the routine week or two clean that is recommended because they use tap water. My brain tells me if I use sterile techniques (as much as possible) and only use sterile water the bacterial growth should be nil or minimal.
The pitcher might be easier to maintain, but I thought it would be too heavy for me to lift and pour. I have a very bad back.