Ftm breast pump questions

hummingbird813 · December 2014

so I made the mistake of reading my medela in style advanced instruction manual before I went to bed. It gave me nightmareS... I have to clean them after EVERY use?! Couldn't that be up to 10 times a day in the beginning? And what about when I go to work... I can't be constantly cleaning my breast pump. It also says to sanitize once a day. Advice anyone? I am planning on exclusively pumping.. I have been warned of how much effort it will take but is this all true? Should I get extra parts? Helllpppp

ordinary1 · December 2014

I put mine in the fridge to cut down on cleaning. Yes to the spare parts! I didn't sanitize every day but didn't pump often. Most people I know sanitize at least once a month to make sure no mold grows.

HailsMom · December 2014

I would suggest getting an extra set of parts.

For me, I would get a big gallon size ziplock and after I finished pumping, I would put the parts in there and then place them in the fridge. Putting cold flanges on your boobs wasn't always the best feeling in the world, but for me it was better than washing them every time. I would use one set a day and then throw them in the dishwasher and have a fresh set for the next day.

misshart00 · December 2014

I cleaned mine every time I pumped but I also only pumped about twice a day. I've heard of lots of moms putting them in the fridge because the milk won't go bad for a very long while in the fridge. I definitely didn't sanitize everyday. But I also bought those Madela sanitizing microwave bags. They were wonderful and saved a ton of time. Definitely worth the money.

jennjilljo · December 2014

You do need to clean after every use but you can use a wet wipe and it only takes a few minutes to do. It seems more daunting than it really is. I don't remember how often I used it though. It's a tough process but you find your groove and get used to it.

hummingbird813 · December 2014

I like the fridge idea. Makes sense. I saw there are wipes made for pumps... Are they worth it? Someone gifted me the sanitize bags so good
To know they work. A friend of mine suggested a bra that would let me pump hands free... Is this product worth it? Sorry so many questions!

umbcpt · December 2014

I largely work out of my car during the day, so I got those Medela wipes and used those to wipe down the parts after pumping.

Another vote for the melela microwave bags... Sooooo worth it!

I always had a second set of parts and would santiize mine in the dishwasher, using one of the bottle baskets in the top rack. I would take a fresh set to work every day.

I didn't exclusively pump though. I did nurse when I could because it was easier for me.

Also, get the Lansinoh bags, they freeze flat. I also was neurotic and kept the same amount in each bag. I used a gift bag with a slot cut out of the bottom. The bottom of the bag was abouth e same dimensions of the Lansinoh bag. That way I could freeze a lot at once in a small space. I also could always use the oldest milk first at the bottom of the gift bag. You can you tube the bag if I didn't explain well.

Beth.1212 · December 2014

I'd suggest the hands free pumping bra.

ordinary1 · December 2014

I used target brand freezer bags; cheap and worked the same.

HailsMom · December 2014

YES! Get the hands free bra! It makes it SOOO much easier to pump.

kismetjess · December 2014

I never wiped. I went straight from boob to bag to fridge while at work. Then came home, washed with soap and water, and sterilized weekly in a steam bag.

Also, I could never pump into the bags... I pumped into the tubes, then poured into bags when I got home.

Irishcurls · December 2014

Guys, I never thought about putting the parts in the fridge at work. This is genius and I love you all. I did register for some of the sterile bags, but I think a set of spare parts is in order too!

hummingbird813 · December 2014

What if you pump more than once at work... It's ok not to clean between pumpings? Btw you all are awesome!

kismetjess · December 2014

hummingbird813 said:

What if you pump more than once at work... It's ok not to clean between pumpings? Btw you all are awesome!

As long as you put them in the fridge, they are fine. I pumped 3-4 times each day at work with DD.

Dannylion24 · December 2014

I pumped exclusively with my first for about 9-10 weeks, and for 5-6 weeks with my second (third baby got about 2-3 weeks of nursing). It was very very intense. Not gonna lie, feeding my baby with a bottle while they were propped with their back against my thighs/knees (facing me) in the middle of the night bc I was also hooked up to the pump (and therefore couldn't cradle them to my chest) to save time was hellish. I used the medela microwave/steam clean bags after every use. The handsfree bra was a lifesaver and I've still got it even after 6 years. If I pump again I will probably get a second set of parts and perhaps use the fridge as a way to avoid constant cleanings, but I'm only going to be pumping if this babe (#4) takes to nursing as well so I'm not pumping around the clock. Best of luck w EP, and it can definitely work ... But the reality is that it is a tough road that often feels like double duty. You're a warrior for even considering it!

krispy83 · December 2014

I never cleaned parts between pump sessions in the same day. I pumped in the morning before work, then put the parts in a ziplock that went into the fridge at work, then pumped at lunch and washed them when I got home. The Medela steam bags are awesome. I was never able to pump into the bags either, I always pumped into bottles and then transferred to bags when I got home.

wintersong139 · December 2014

ordinary1 said:

I put mine in the fridge to cut down on cleaning. Yes to the spare parts! I didn't sanitize every day but didn't pump often. Most people I know sanitize at least once a month to make sure no mold grows.

This. Wherever you keep you milk at work, keep your pump. Your work should provide you with a clean place to pump, complete with sink for washing and a refrigerator for storage. (If you live in the US, not sure about other countries.)

bhjones1980 · December 2014

My routine (when I went back to work)

I had two sets of parts, one I kept at work and one at home

Pumped three times a day at work, rinsed in hot water and stored in large ziplock bag in fridge in between pumping sessions, and then washed after last work pump of the day with soap and water used the medela microwave sterilizer bags after the washing (so sterilized every day).

amt0312 · December 2014

spare parts are a must for sure. And pumping basically blows no matter how you slice it. I took my pink hospital bin home with me (it was a clean one) and put my parts in there to soak until I was able to clean them all. I think I ended up with 3 sets of parts and it seemed to work pretty well, although I only lasted at breastfeeding/pumping for 3 weeks.

I did NOT sterilize every day and our pediatrician said it was not necessary whatsoever past the initial sterilization that you do when you first get the parts since DD was full term and healthy.

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