Breast pump tubes

apinkpelican · August 2014

One of my tubes just sucked up a ton of milk then squirt it back into the bottle. Now I have milk in the tubing. Has this happened to anyone and how do you clean out the tubes? Do I need to buy new ones?
P. S. I hate pumping at work... So frustrated.

gutsysneakers · August 2014

@kellyq116 - currently hooked up at work too. This blows.

I haven't got milk in the tubes yet, but I think I remember reading to leave your pump on after taking the tubing off and it should clear some of the milk out - then I think you soak/wash in hot, soapy water and air dry...I think.

momo214 · August 2014

Pumping here too! Hasn't happened to me either but I agree pumping sucks! It's all for baby..... Just keep telling myself that.

apinkpelican · August 2014

Thanks ladies. I blew most of the milk out (about made myself dizzy doing this) and have stored them in the fridge until my next pump session today hoping that will prevent any bacteria from growing until I can get home and clean them.
I think I might have a sterilizing bag at home just wasn't sure if that'd work for the tubing.

apinkpelican · August 2014

Thanks @anniemore I will try to run the pump with the tube on it for a few minutes before my next session.

I'm glad I'm not alone in the frustration! @cook251 @mollynicole214 @jcrewgirl85

I pump 3x a day at work and each session only produces 3 ounces total if I'm lucky. I send LO to dc with 4 (3oz) bottles so to get the 4th bottle I need to either add a session at home, or supplement with formula. I was adding this 4th session in the morning but it proved to be just too much for my morning routine so I've dropped it. She seems to be doing OK with the formula bottle so I'll probably continue doing that. My job doesn't make it easy to pump (but I'm sure no ones does) and I'm considering dropping down to 2 pump sessions a day, and supplementing with 2 bottles of formula at dc. Or continuing the 3 sessions for another couple weeks but with 2 formula bottles so I can build a stash. I figure this way I'll at least have BM a little longer for her if I can't keep all of this up.

I forgot my pump at home yesterday and had a full on emotional breakdown on my way back home to get it. It doesn't help that LO isn't sleeping well through the night and I'm up at all hours.

This working Mom stuff.... so hard but I know it will get better. Seeing her giant smile when I pick her up at the end of the day makes it all worth it

apinkpelican · August 2014

Thanks so much @sticky11‌ I searched but couldn't find anything specific to the tubing! Should have tried from my compute rather than phone!

gutsysneakers · August 2014

@kellyQ116 - yes, pumping blows. I am hoping to get in three sessions a day. Yesterday was my first day back and I only managed to get two in - I'm worried about supply too. I was able to pump almost 14 oz yesterday with the two sessions. I just don't know what is normal because we've never measured how much she eats since she's always nursed at home. My sister watched her yesterday and she drank 12-14 oz I think. Do you have the hands-free bra thingie - reeeaaaaly attractive.

ns1 · August 2014

Pumping at work now too!

One medela booklet I have says to pour rubbing alcohol through them and then basically whip them around to dry.

BUT...if they're medela I got spots in my tubing once, called customer service, answered a few questions, and they sent me new tubing for free and overnighted it. Great customer service!

ns1 · August 2014

@KellyQ116‌ and I feel you on the up at all hours thing. I'm a walking zombie today! (And most days)

CamrynnsMommy · August 2014

I got milk in my tubing due to poor posture, then subsequently mold. I rinsed with warm water and alcohol and then hung to dry.

apinkpelican · August 2014

I am sure mine was due to poor posture @CamrynnsMommy‌
So now I'm hooked up and couldnt figure out why one side was working.... I'm missing the white flap thing. So one side at a time today. Omg....seriously....
On the bright side I get to use one of our massage rooms to pump today. Comfy warmed bed, mood lighting and Ray lamontagne on Pandora. I may not mind the extra 15 min today.

sparklingdiamond · August 2014

My tubing has spots in it but I assumed they were water spots? Does it smell if it's mold?

CamrynnsMommy · August 2014

sparklingdiamond said:
My tubing has spots in it but I assumed they were water spots? Does it smell if it's mold?

My mold was black, if that helps at all. I didn't notice a smell.

kellyld6926 · August 2014

If it doesn't come out amazon has tubing for $8-$9. I think it's just generic tubing but it fits my medela PIS.

springbeduk2 · August 2014

I don't know more about the tubing than what medela instructions say - good luck! Buying mire as a backup at least sounds lie a good idea. I want to get an extra set of all parts in case I don't have time to wash one evening. Apparently insurance will cover replacement parts but I keep not having time to call and find out which online/mail order medical equipment companies ate in network and can't find it in their stupid website. Blah.

Anyway maybe your insurance also covers replacement parts? Though tubing is cheap enough its not worth the hassle for just that. But maybe to also get spar valves and bottles too?

You all are totally right that pumping sucks! And I'm jealous of your 14 ounces. I only got 9 then 10 the last two days with three sessions each day. And they were less stressful days than next week will be since students weren't back yet. That's also how much DD drank at daycare - she seems to do better with 3 oz bottles than 4 - but still - totally freaking about supply. Fenugreek is on order. Talked to a LC yesterday and it was a total waste of time except one tidbit - no more Altoids until weaning time.

Considering trying to pump in car (long commute) to get one more session in to try to boost supply. But really ... yuck.

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