I just use a Brita to make my kid`s bottles now. However, if you want to use hot water right away and not have to wait for it to cool, you can use the Cool Twister - http://www.cooltwister.com/ . I had one and it saved me from blowing on the water at as the kid screamed his lungs out in the early days.
Hi, steralize until 6months then soap and water. Thats the advice health visitors give to mums in England. It 6 months becouse babies are usually putting all sorts of things form there hand to mouth, eg toys, ect!