Can I ask here? If you EPed or pumped a lot...

Mrs.tlcS · December 2009

how many breast sheild/valve assemblies did you have?

Right now I only have one pair, and it's a real PITA washing every time - more so because they don't get really dry before I need them again.

Would one more set do me, or should I get a couple more, do you think?

Wassygirl · December 2009

i pumped a lot and had 2 sets.

userdeleted · December 2009

I EPed for a little while when Leo was born. I read a tip on here that instead of washing them every time (gets old fast doesn't it?), you can just put them in the fridge in between pumping sessions and wash them once a day.

eta: Oh, and also they sell these little wipes you can use to clean them off now too...I saw some at Target the other day. Might want to check them out, it might be easier than handwashing at the sink

MrsG2B07 · December 2009

I only had one set but I only pumped at work and had a rented hospital pump.

Jessibell · December 2009

I pumped 4x a day and I had 3 or 4 sets. IMHO, it is necessary. Pumping that much is a PITA as it is without having to wash parts a bizillion times a day.

mrsdiamonds · December 2009

I EP'd for 9 months and I had 5 sets of parts. No way I would have made it that long with 1 or 2 parts! GL!

star173 · December 2009

Rach03k:

I EPed for a little while when Leo was born. I read a tip on here that instead of washing them every time (gets old fast doesn't it?), you can just put them in the fridge in between pumping sessions and wash them once a day.

eta: Oh, and also they sell these little wipes you can use to clean them off now too...I saw some at Target the other day. Might want to check them out, it might be easier than handwashing at the sink

This is true. I got two sets anyway because I EP'd for like 7 months.

Wassygirl · December 2009

Rach03k:

eta: Oh, and also they sell these little wipes you can use to clean them off now too...I saw some at Target the other day. Might want to check them out, it might be easier than handwashing at the sink

i used these for awhile, but it got pretty expensive.

LondonBridges · December 2009

I used to pump twice a day at work. I found having four sets was ideal for me. I rinsed after each pump, and then I washed them thoroughly at night when I got home. They're hard to dry, so I'd let them air dry. Sometimes they still weren't dry when I packed my bag for the next day.

KKM · December 2009

I had like 4 or 5 sets I think. Some were mine and some were from my SIL. I used them all a lot.

Monkeybuttwhat · December 2009

I pumped 6-7 times a day for 4 months. I only had one set. I washed them after every use and used my Avent sterilizer. It was a PITA but you know first time mom.

Wait no I had two sets. I kept one in the car in case I was stuck out somewhere and needed to pump.

preg_amy · December 2009

My SIL gave me her old sets and then I had the ones that they gave me in the hospital and the ones that came with my pump. I probably had about 10 sets, and even more storage bottles than that.

And I STILL felt like I didn't have enough. I can't imagine how anyone could do it with only one set.

chloeelyn · December 2009

I pumped a lot and at work I just washed them everytime.

BartsGirl · December 2009

I EPed for 8 months and I had 3-4 sets. I'd use mine and after using, put them immediately one side of the sink in warm soapy water. Then when it was time to pump the next time I just ran them under water to rinse them off and off I went. I thoroughly washed them once a day before bed.

LaLaSweets · December 2009

I pumped at work and had 2 sets

stephm0188 · December 2009

I EP'd for 6 months. I used one set all day and put them in a ziploc bag in the fridge between pumps, then washed them before bed. Washing them each time is such a waste of time.

And while I'm on the topic, I think these are the BEST shields ever. They fit my Medela parts and the fit was much more comfortable. I couldn't have made it as long as I did without them. https://www.pumpinpal.com/html/super_shields.htm

SarahTx5701 · December 2009

I had four sets but put did the fridge in ziplock bag method too! That worked wonders!

Good luck!!

betsnup · December 2009

I EP'd for 5 months and I had two sets. In the beginning when I was pumping every 2-3 hours, it sucked, but when I was able to eventually get to 4 pumps a day, it worked fine. If I have to EP again, I'd get at least one more set.

AmyDrinkie · December 2009

I pumped for a total of 3hrs per day and only had one set. I kept meaning to order another but it wasn't that big of a deal. I never washed them between pumping sessions; I just stuck them fully assembled in my cooler after each use.

ETA: I did put them in the dishwasher every night. Felt like I shouldn't have left that out!

hj_1235 · December 2009

I had 3 sets. The one that came with the pump and 2 more. The one that came with the pump was too big but worked in emergencies. I pumped every 1-2 hours in the beginning and hated washing each time.

ckolak:-) · December 2009

I pumped 3-5 times a day for a year and had one set of the soft fit flanges (I think that's what they were called, they're Medela). I just washed them every time I used them. I did have extra valve assemblies though.

prolixity · December 2009

I EP'd for 13 months and had two sets of parts. I put them in the fridge in between pumps during the day and washed them along with the baby's bottles at night.

Ugh... not looking forward to pulling out my pump again for baby #2! *sigh*

mamamoos · December 2009

i pump 3x a day and only have one set. i just rinse off the parts and throw them in a medela steam sanitizing bag. i LOVE those things...you can use each bag 20 times and it fits all the assemblies and a bottle at one time.

i pop it in the microwave for 3 minutes, then take the pieces out and put them in a little mesh lingerie bag so they can dry but still stay in one place.

i give them a good soap and water washing every night.

Amrice78 · December 2009

I had tons, but someone gave me a bunch a shields. I used two a day

ijack · December 2009

I EPd for 4+ months and had 2 sets, one for the hospital and one for home

Jettaky · December 2009

I pumped for 4 months and I had 2 sets. I don't think you need more than 2.

Mrs.tlcS · December 2009

sounds like I'm going shopping for some spare parts!

Thanks for the tip on the refrigeration method... maybe when DS gets home I'll be comfortable doing that... while he's still in the NICU, I'm being overzealously careful about everything, though.

Buckets of Moonbeams · December 2009

I had 3 sets and it wasn't too many. I EP'd for 6 months.

Stacyc625 · December 2009

I EP'ed for a year. I had one full set- and I used the ziplock bag and fridge technigue. They got washed once a day really well.

johnsoar · December 2009

I think I have 6 total so 3 sets.

purplepuggles · December 2009

i EPed and had 2 full sets. i also did the fridge trick - left the pump pieces in the fridge without washing between pumpings. i was pumping 8-10 times a day in the beginning and it was REALLY cumbersome to try and wash the things all the time, and get down to the NICU and not pass out from exhaustion and stress!

Susan_KW · December 2009

I had 3 sets. I got them all for free from the hospital ... two sets in my room after DD was born and one set from the NICU.

One set was at the NICU all the time, the other two were at home.

I used the medela wipe sheets a lot, just rinsed and put in the medela sterilizer bag, or I would just put in hot soapy water and wash all at once when at home (I'd change out the water each pumping).

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Can I ask here? If you EPed or pumped a lot...

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