Sterilizing pump parts after each use

[sunshineandme]

Hi All,

I just finished pumping with my Medela Freestyle for the first time. I then washed all the parts and have set them out to air-dry. Now, what am I going to do at work??? I can't keep doing this everytime I pump at work (hoping I'll be able to pump at least 3 times at work). So, how do all of you experienced pumping moms do it? Do you wash everytime and let the parts air dry. Or is there any way I can skip the washing between the 3 pumping sessions????

thanks a bunch!
-SunshineAndMe

[Momof3Labs]

You can rinse and refrigerate between pumping sessions. Or check out the Medela microwave steam sterilizer bags - I loved those things when pumping a lot!! Another option is to have a few sets of pumping parts.

[vonfirmath]

I ended up only being able to pump 2x/day at work because of time, etc. But yes, I did quick cleans at work and a more thorough clean at home at the end of the day.

[Binkandabee]

I pumped two times at work as well and I did very quickly rinse with soap and water each time. Then dried off with a towel and put them back in my pump bag. It literally took less than a minute.

[newg]

madela also sells wipes....kinda like handy wipes....that you can use to clean your parts with......I didn't have to pump at work; but did pump while traveling to the IL's and washing parts wasn't really an option....I ended up with three of everything (except tubing) so i wouldnt have to wash as much.

[rprav8r]

Refrigerate between sessions.

Or buy multiple sets of horns.

[sunshineandme]

Hmmm, but there are so many parts to the pump kit and most of them have tiny ridges. I don't want to wash them and later find that there's still some water/moisture in them just as I'm about to pump, or worse, pump without realizing that and have that moisture/water get into the milk.

I really do appreciate all the responses :) But could someone please elaborate on their procedure? thanks so much!

Also, I'm leaning toward refrigerating the pump kit after each use and finally clean up after going home. Anyone who would advise against this?

TIA
-SunshineAndMe

[rprav8r]

Call me crazy, but if two drops of water get into the milk, I don't think it's going to harm the baby. I did basically this routine for the entire time I pumped for DS (till he was 11 mos) and am doing the same for DD. So far, neither has shown any ill effects from consumption of the miniscule amount of moisture left behind in the horns.

Here's my procedure:
1. Pump
2. Leave horns/valves/etc assembled and disconnect from tubing
3. Rinse
4. Shake dry
5. Place in fridge

When it's time to pump again,
1. Remove horns etc from fridge
2. Connect to pump
3. Pump

[nupe]

I don't sterilize during the day. I was pumping three times during an eight hour period during the day, with PISA. I rinsed well and left to air dry on a counter on a plate. No soap, no wipes. I ran them through the diswasher in the evening. I had three sets so I would always have a clean set of horns avail for the morning.

[mom2224]

I didn't have access to a fridge, but I think that would be fine to keep your assembled horns in a bag in the fridge until next use.

Here's what I did:

Pump
Disassemble parts
Rinse
Put parts in steam bag, fill with water, microwave, empty water
Leave parts untouched in steam bag until next use

When you are ready to pump again-
Open bag
Shake any excess water off parts
Assemble horns
pump

Medela has steam bags that sterilize. You can use them 20 times each. They worked great for me for over a year. I'm planning the same for #2.

Hope that helps! You'll figure out a routine that works best for you, promise!

[Momof3Labs]

Drops of water never concerned me either. Shaking the parts off after washing them got most of the water off, anyways. Are you concerned because the water isn't sterilized? Keep in mind that your breasts aren't sterilized either before baby nurses, and baby does just fine. If you have yucky well water or other water issues, then perhaps use the steam bags with bottled water instead.

[infomama]

Recent post on this. http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=316607

[hellokitty1]

Drops of water never concerned me either. Shaking the parts off after washing them got most of the water off, anyways. Are you concerned because the water isn't sterilized? Keep in mind that your breasts aren't sterilized either before baby nurses, and baby does just fine. If you have yucky well water or other water issues, then perhaps use the steam bags with bottled water instead.

i was thinking the water wasn't a sanitation issue but more of a mechanical issue.

to the OP, for dc1, i used the steam bags as well. iirc, i left them unopened in the steam bag til the next use. i have the freestyle for dc#2 and plan to do the same.

[Momof3Labs]

i was thinking the water wasn't a sanitation issue but more of a mechanical issue.


How is that? You don't steam the tubing after each use; that's the only part I can think of that you wouldn't want to use wet for mechanical reasons.

[hellokitty1]

How is that? You don't steam the tubing after each use; that's the only part I can think of that you wouldn't want to use wet for mechanical reasons.

no idea. i was just mentioning it bc the medela instructions specifically state that the parts should be dry before using and i thought it was for function, not sanitation. kind of like how the tubes should not get water in them. i just never thought it was a health issue.

[ckso]

I pump at work 2x a day. I don't like the idea of using wet pump parts either cuz I feel like it should be dry. I also can't deal w/ the hassle of cleaning at work so here's what worked for me w/o any problems w/ the baby.

I bought one of those plastic storage containers (cheapy 99cents ones are fine) that's big enough to store the pumps parts (everything except the bottle) unassembled. You can use zip-lock bags too but it's just cheaper to wash the container

After each pumping, I unassemble the parts, store in the plastic container and put in the fridge. The milk gets poured into storage bags. The bottles and milk is stored in another small black reusable storage bag (like a small lunch bag)and those are placed in the fridge. I do that for discretion reasons.

I wash everything with soapy hot water when I get home. Since I pump at home too, I have another set of accessories that has already been washed and air dried. That way, I don't have to deal with drying them.

Personally, I don't sterilize them every time. I used to but then was later told by my lactation consultant that it's not really necessary. Soap and hot water is all your need UNLESS you or your baby shows signs of thrush or yeast infection. So if you keep your hands clean and the pump stuff clean, you should be ok.

[ckso]

Oh, I want to add though that even though I don't sterilize after each pumping, I would sterilize them like once or twice a week. Just makes me feel better.

[sunshineandme]

Hi All,

Thanks so much for all your inputs - I've taken a bit from everyone and think it works for me. Thanks all again so much!

-SunshineAndMe

[Swimfreak78]

I pumped twice a day at work for a long time. I had three sets of parts. I would bring in 2 sets clean and "rinse" or wash with soap if I had time. Once I got home I cleaned more throughly and sanitized if necessary. We have 10 mom's who use our mom's room at work and from what I've heard that's what most do.