A new survey has revealed that 1 in 10 parents don’t sterilise their baby’s bottles and feeding equipment, putting them at risk of sickness and diarrhoea caused by bacteria in the bottles.
The survey of 3,000 parents by sterilising experts Milton found that out of those who do sterilise, 36% only sterilise equipment once a day rather than before/after every feed as recommended by the government.
The survey also revealed that 25% of parents stop sterilising at 6 months, the time when a baby’s immune system is at its weakest, indicating that there is a lack of information given to parents about the importance of sterilising and good hygiene. 65% of parents revealed that they get their baby care advice from their GP or midwife however friends and family also have a strong influence for half of parents.
50% of the parents surveyed said their babies had suffered between 1 to 3 stomach upsets during their first 12 months, with a further 8% stating their babies suffered diarrhoea more frequently.
When it comes to choosing a sterilising method, the most popular choice factor was ‘quick and easy’ with over a third of parents stating this at their main reason for using a particular method followed by ‘recommended by midwife/GP’ for 22% and ‘my mother used the method’ for 18%. 6 in 10 parents are worried about germs in their home, with 52% of parents revealing they were more worried with their first child than subsequent children.
76% of parents worry if they see their children put something in their mouth, yet only 47% would sterilise their babies dummy if it fell on the floor. When asked what the strangest thing was their baby had put in their mouth, the list answers included conkers, a snail, seaweed and a spider – proving that babies really will put anything in their mouths given half a chance!
To help educate parents on the importance of sterilising and maintaining a hygienic environment around young babies, Milton have put together a free guide entitled ‘Keeping Your Home Baby Friendly and Germ Free’. The guide is packed with advice on why it’s important to sterilise, the development of baby’s immune system, where in the home the germs are lurking, how to keep things clean and how to common ailments.
April 2008
Parents can request a free copy by writing to Baby Hygiene Guide, PO Box 4030, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RZ or by calling 01202 780558.
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