sterilize pump tubing?

giggler25 · July 2014

I just opened my Medela Freestyle and am following the instructions for first use. It looks like I'm NOT supposed to wash or sterilize the tubing before first use... Can that be right???

mommatotwo2 · July 2014

I have never sterilized mine. In normal use, it should not come in contact with the milk at any point. I believe the tubing *can* be sterilized if milk does back up in them, but it's never happened to me, so I didn't research it much. The biggest tip I can share to keep your tubing in good shape is to make sure your pump parts are completely dry before hooking them up to the tubing, shake the pump parts out when they come out of the dishwasher or boiling water and dry them well. I had enough parts to let things dry for 12-24 hours before using again.

giggler25 · July 2014

Thanks so much. You can tell I'm a total newbie at this.

I so appreciate the quick and helpful response!

jnnfrrose6 · July 2014

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but if you do need to clean them (though I agree with PP that it shouldn't be necessary) you can put a couple drops if rubbing alcohol in the tubes and then you swing them around above your head and that will help move the alcohol down the tube as well as dry it. It sounds crazy, but makes some sense. Again, shouldn't be necessary, but is an option.

Susiepoo04 · July 2014

I had called medela cuz my tubing seemed to have gotten milk in it. They said to wash with warm soap and water as in the instruction booklet. No boiling/steaming or alcohol. If UR tubing looks sketch after a period of use, they r pretty good about sending you a replacement

giggler25 · July 2014

Thanks ladies!! I am a total newb and didn't realize milk shouldn't be coming in contact with the tubes - hence the confusion. Thanks again for the help!

Celebritymom · July 2014

I ALWAYS get milk in my tubing. I have an extra set of tubes that I rotate out while the other set dries. I wash them in warm soapy water then run a little alcohol through them. Then hang to dry. Works well for me.

mommatotwo2 · July 2014

Celebritymom said:
I ALWAYS get milk in my tubing. I have an extra set of tubes that I rotate out while the other set dries. I wash them in warm soapy water then run a little alcohol through them. Then hang to dry. Works well for me.

I'd contact customer service for your pump to make sure everything is in good working order because you should definitely not be getting milk in your tubing regularly.

giggler25 · July 2014

Sing2phins said:
@giggler25 Sometimes after pumping you may notice a little moisture in your tubes - it's not milk, just condensation - so it's good to also get in the habit of letting the pump run for a couple minutes after pumping with just the tubes attached to clear that moisture out.

Thank you! So I would just remove the pump from my breast and then turn it on again?

VickyTGAW · July 2014

Like the other posters said, you typically don't need to sanitize the tubing (I think I've done it once for two sons, roughly 28 months of pumping).

However if you do end up in situation where you want to sanitize the tubing, the Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam bags have instructions printed on them specifically for the tubing.

giggler25 · July 2014

I did it! I pumped!! I used the pump for 10 minutes while Emily was napping; not a long time but enough to get 3 oz. Now Daddy can try feeding her when he gets home from work. We sure are racing the clock on this one...she turns 8 weeks on Thursday. Thanks for all the helpful advice and support!!! I couldn't have done it alone.

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