A question I often get asked is, “Do I need to sterilize the baby bowls and spoons?” The answer is, “No.” In today’s germaphobic culture, there is often the pressure to want to sterilize everything, and sometimes the emphasis on sterilizing new baby bottles, teats and rings before first use when making infant formula doesn’t help. But if you think about it, food itself isn’t sterile! And you’re busy enough, so why do the extra work? Just wash them well in hot soapy water (or run them through the dishwasher) after every use. I think it’s far more important to follow other food safety and hygiene practices in your kitchen, which can not only affect your baby’s health but that of your whole family; for example, avoiding cross contamination by using separate cutting boards for vegetables/fruits versus raw meats or fish, making sure foods are cooked through before serving, not leaving foods sitting at room temperature on the kitchen counter for too long, and discarding uneaten leftovers from baby’s jar or bowl.