Storing pump parts in the refrigerator

ECT2012 · August 2012

So, I remember reading on here that it's okay to store pump parts in the fridge in between sessions... I'm back at work now and every minute that I can save counts!...

What do you do with the parts before putting them in the fridge? Do I need to rinse them? Dry them? Not do anything to them? I'm going to be pumping at 8, 11:30 and 3 (for now)... is it okay to leave them in the fridge between each of these pumping sessions?

Thanks!

SMask · August 2012

Hopefully the answer to your question is yes, because that is my exact pumping schedule and I leave them in the mini fridge in the nursing room! I've never had a problem. I just put them in a gallon ziplock bag.

mrs.forrister · August 2012

I was coming here to post the same thing. Some times in the middle of the night I just rinse them with water and put them on the drying rack. That's probably not the best thing to do. During the day I'll wash with soap but if I don't have to that would be awesome and one less thing to worry about.

stemms8810 · August 2012

I store mine in the fridge between pump sessions. I wash them every night. I rinse them and put them in a gallon ziplock bag.

elfinali · August 2012

I was told by a lactation consultant in the NICU that it is ok to store the parts in the fridge between sessions without even rinsing (b/c the milk won't spoil, just like milk won't spoil when you put it in the fridge in a bottle). But, you should wash with soap after work.

She said its not ok to just rinse and leave out on a drying rack. Either wash with soap and leave out or just stick in the fridge.

mwitter80 · August 2012

I wipe out the flanges with pacifier wipes and then just put everything right into the fridge. I wash everything once per day. I pump randomly through out the day.

mrs.gee · August 2012

I don't even rinse in between. I just set up the flanges and valves with new bottles and put the whole assembly in a neoprene lunch bag in the fridge until the next time. Then hot water and soap at the end of each day.