Just received PIS from friend......

[kensjen]

...and I have been wondering a few things. First of all, what do I need to wash and sterilize, since this was her breast pump first? And then, which parts do I need to purchase for me?? I haven't really taken the whole thing out yet and examined it, it's a little overwhelming right now!!

Also, any tips on this pump, anything I need to know????
TIA!
Jen

[liya]

Actually what needs to be stelized are the "cones" the yellow valves with the white membranes and the bottles..Some ppl sterilize the tubes since milk can sometimes back up in them, but i never had this experience....NEVER STERILIZE IN THE MICROWAVE...lol Some parts can melt, i know this from experience....If you want to purchase a whole new kit to express it costs about 35.00 on ebay but its not really necessary if you know this person and plus if you sterilize the parts in hot water....I would though buy the yellow valves and the membranes this is where old milk gets accumulated usually and anyhow these parts should be replaced every month and a half or so, so i would buy these they only cost like 2.50 each....And your all set to go...

Tips: Play around with it till you feel comfortable when pumping..If you obviously dont have a small niple take the small nipple addapter out of the cone itself(you cannot imagine how many ppl leave this on and feel pain when using the machine)...Also to increase your supply try pumping after every feeding...It will eventually help you boost it up(although the baby is the best way to boost up your milk supply)....You can play around with the speeds and sucktion(the middle membrane on the machine) to see whats most comfortable for you and what actually works...You can try a slow speed with a max suction till your let down comes and then change it to high speed med sucktion(this is what worked for me, but everyone is different)...

Hope this helps

[mom2kandj]

Just get a big pot of boiling water and drop in the following:

Cones (and the inserts if there are any)
Yellow pieces that fit on the cones
Valves (thin white circles that are SOOOO easy to lose)
and hosing (If you don't want to deal with the hosing, get some new at a med supply)
Bottles for collection

Tips for keeping your PIS pieces intact:

Cones and yellow pieces can go in the dishwasher (yellow pieces in the silverware basket, cones on upper rack)
Hand wash valves so they don't get lost
Hosing can be kept dry (no condensation in the tubes) by running your pump for a couple of minutes after you are finished pumping. So, after you finish your session, let the pump run with the tubing attached so that air flows through and dries the tubing. By the time you are finished cleaning up, your tubing should be dry.

I lent my SIL my PIS when she was having BF problems in the beginning. I got an emergency call in the middle of the night and ran over with it and started a pot boiling. I'll be getting it back soon and if any of my other friends need it I won't hesitate. If your parts do need replacing, you can get a whole kit from most hospital's birth ed dept. HTH!

Rose
mom 2 Katie (30 months)
& Jack (14months)

[ginalc]

Don't boil the tubing. It can cause the tubing to become brottle and break. My LC told me that they don't suggest boiling the tubing for this reason.

gina, mom to 3

[stillplayswithbarbies]

And that is one of the reasons that the PIS is supposed to be a single user pump, you can't boil the tubing.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel 2/27/91
Logan Elizabeth 3/25/03

[BeverlyJ]

I agree with one of the other posters....buy yourself a NEW Kit.

Even boiling will not get rid of some strands of thrush (got this straight from a researcher at a major university).

((HUGS))

BeverlyJ

[kensjen]

Ok, what exactly do I need to purchase, which parts? Is there somewhere online I can order a whole kit??
Thanks again, you guys are a ton of help!! :)
-Jen

[liya]

http://store.babycenter.com/product/feeding/breastfeeding/pumps_and_accessories/1553;jsessionid=OP4HJ5YKZSQKOCUAQMMCIIQ

the lactina kit fits perfectly into the PIS

also http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/spareparts.html you can call here and say that you ruined your expresing kit and you need all the parts...and let them tell you an estimate..If its more than the link above then id just purchase the lactina kit...

edite to say: here you go http://mybreastpump.com/medelareplacementpartspage.html

[mharling]

You can now sterilize parts in the microwave. Medela came out with microwave sterilizer bags and I love them!! I got a free sample from my hospital and then purchased a box of 5 for $5. Each one can be used 20 times and I find I can get quite a bit in one.

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b3237413c427 - New 6/18

[sherryh]

Here is a link where you can get a pre-assembled PIS replacement parts kit. It is cheaper to buy this kit than the Lactina rental kits because the Lactina kits include the piston which is not required for the PIS:

http://shop.nurturecenter.com/reppuminstyl.html

And here is a link for the Medela sterilizer bags:

http://shop.nurturecenter.com/mequclmistba.html

Good luck!

SherryH

[C99]

You need to buy the Medela Universal kit. I think they run about $40. It will contain the horns, the valves, the tubing and a hand-pump/commercial-grade pump mechanism.