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using a double pump when alone

nikkim76nikkim76 member
in Multiples

Usually my husband helps me get set up and then takes care of cleaning the bottles and the milk. Half because I am still recovering half because of the logistics of using a double pump and being able to shut it off etc. When he goes back to work I need to figure out something. I can always do one at a time but I am trying to conserve time. This might be a dumb question or it may not be a problem for you. Any tips would be great!

 

 

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Re: using a double pump when alone

  • AnKaAnKa

    Not a MoM (dont' ask why I hang out here right now) but a long-time pumping mom.

    I had 2 sets of all parts other than the body of the pump. That way, I could wash things only half as often, since it doesn't seem as bad to wash 2x the pieces, just getting to actually run the dish water, etc is what bothers me. 

    Also, I don't sterilize as often anymore. I do it every few days, with my first baby I did it every use, but that's just nuts.

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  • ahava2005ahava2005

    Agree to get multiples of parts.  That makes it easier.

    I never sterilized.  I just washed.  And, I had a pumping bra so I could do it all 'hands-free'.  I just read a magazine while I was pumping. 

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  • carder0716carder0716
    imageahava2005:

    Agree to get multiples of parts.  That makes it easier.

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  • Temp159135562506975Temp159135562506975 member

    get a hands free pumping bra - sooooo good to have.

    I never needed any help -- sure it was nice to have DH around to wash parts- but I didn't do much more than rinse off the flanges and the bottles with really hot water - i didn't give them a really good wash until the end of the day.  it's not like anything was sitting in there for a long time - so hot water rinse = good enough IMO.

     

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  • groovygrlgroovygrl member

    This wasn't really a problem for me (is it the logistics of the actual pumping or the fact that you have 2 babies nearby that you have to keep an eye on too?), I had the pump on a table next to the couch and a bin w/ the clean parts right next to it so I just set it up & pumped. I did get a hands free bra though, that was definitely a must. 

    If I had pumped longer, I would have gotten a 2nd set of parts for sure, so you don't feel like you have to wash immediately. I personally don't think sterilization is necessary, just really hot soapy water. I kept (and still keep for bottles) one of those bins from the hospital on one side of my side & would fill it w/ hot soapy water & dump all the parts in there when I was done so I could wash them when I got to it.

    GL! 

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  • ahava2005ahava2005

    As I said before..hands free all the way.  You don't need any help at all.

     

    My husband wasn't even allowed to SEE me pump.  He didn't help at all.  I felt too much like a cow. 

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  • kegkeg member

    I would definitely get a hands free pumping bra or come up with something similar (I'm small and could just tuck the flanges into my nursing tank without undoing the flap and that was the way I could do it hands free).  Also, even without some sort of hands free set-up, I quickly came good at holding both flanges on with one forearm and then could turn the pump off or whatever with the other hand. 

    Another tip in terms of using/washing pump parts, I would reuse the same set of parts several times before I put them in the dishwasher.  When I finished pumping I would just put the parts in a ziploc bag and keep it in the fridge.  

    2004-Started TTC; Nov 2007-Lap with endo removed; Jan 2008-Ectopic (mtx); April 2008-IVF #1 (bfp, twin girls); March 2011-FET (cp); June 2012-IVF #2 (bfp, singleton, EDD 3-19-12)

    ***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***

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  • SoldiersGreenBeanSoldiersGreenBean

    I agree with all the pp.  I didn't sterilize often, and I washed once a day.  Since I pumped at work, I kept the parts in the fridge with the milk. 

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  • m_n_mweddingm_n_mwedding
    Go to this site. It tells you how to rig it up so that you can do it handsfree (without buying the expensive handsfree bra. I used this and loved it. I have only had to pump for DS (not multiples) but I tried to pump right after he ate so that he was less fussy or asleep. I hope it helps you!
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  • kiki408kiki408

    I haven't found this to be a problem - I really don't need help. I keep the pump by the couch, sit down, unclasp the nursing bra, attach the parts, and turn her on! I do, however, agree with Goldie in that you dont need to "wash wash" the parts after every use. I just rinse with super hot water & set on a clean kitchen towel to dry. That way, they're ready to go for the next time around. I also have an extra set of parts from the hospital.

    My girls were in the NICU for a week and I REFUSED to miss a feeding while I was in the hospital, so I was walking to and from the NICU several times a day by myself starting the day after my C-section. I think this helped me heal or something, because I was totally mobile & self sufficient by day 3..

    Good luck! I think you'll do fine once you're feeling up to moving more :o).

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  • MoMandAMoMandA
    I have multiple sets of parts. I keep the parts in the fridge and wash sterilize after 3 uses. I am a big fan of sterilizing b/c we had so much trouble  with thrush.
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