Expressing

I use the Elvie hands free pump and they say to wash parts after every use and make sure fully dry and sterilise once a day x

Also my community midwife when I first had little man, said the same thing. She said to sterilise the bottle/container after every use and just wash the parts x

I pumped for 7 months and I washed and sterilised my pumps once a day, just make sure you keep them in the back of the fridge between uses in a clean sterile box or sandwich bags even. I was washing them after every use at the start too and stopped after my BF HV told me I didn’t need to. It’s just important you put them in the fridge straight after using.

Have a look at the fridge method for your pump. Store in a sandwich bag in the fridge between pumps. There's no need to wash and sterilise after every use, just once per day and stored in the fridge in between is fine. Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for days at a time, so "storing" it inside the pump for a day isn't an issue

I wash mine with soap after every use and then put in Milton cold water steriliser I know it’s long I Pump eight times a day but it’s worth it for the safety of your baby. It’s not recommended to do the fridge method if your baby is under two months old it’s also says online It's important to understand that refrigeration does not stop bacteria from growing -

@Charley refrigeration doesn't stop bacteria from growing, and no studies have shown that rinsing or wiping pump parts is an effective alternative to washing them

@Charlie refrigeration doesn't stop bacteria from growing, and no studies have shown that rinsing or wiping pump parts is an effective alternative to washing them

@Hannah I didn't for a minute suggest refrigeration stops bacteria growth and I didn't say to rinse or wipe the pump, but if the fridge is a suitable place to keep breastmilk for several days at a time (NHS say up to 8 days depending on the temp) then why does it matter whether that's in a bottle or a pump?

@Charley because the milk residue left in the pump is a different temperature to the milk being pumped and the difference is in temperature can cause for bacteria to grow just as if you are putting all your milk in one bottle you should only combine it at the same temperature 😊

@Charley it’s personal choice at the end of the day but if you do the fridge method it makes sense to at least wash the pump with soap and water. It takes two seconds for the health of your baby.

@Hannah I pumped on average 6 x a day for at least 20 mins a time and never once rewashed after every pump (other than a week at the start) and my little one has not once been sick. If you follow good hygiene and ensure your pump is emptied and refrigerated after use it’s absolutely safe. A few drops of cold milk mixed with fresh BM isn’t going to do harm

@Charlie that’s just unhygienic, it’s takes 2 minutes to rinse with soap and water rather then risking your babies health but that’s your choice I’m just advising the lady who made this post as it does say on NHS website that if you do use the fridge method it’s advised to atleast rinse it , I’m very glad it did not make your baby sick that’s very lucky but that not may not be the case for all babies, would you get a glass of milk for yourself and drink it then put the glass back in the fridge to reuse?

@Hannah my house is clean, my glasses are clean and my fridge is clean so yes, I would happily drink a glass of milk and pop the glass back in the fridge. If it was that unhygienic I doubt NHS England HV would advise anyone to do so. I guess the worst mother of the year award is on its way to me then for ‘risking my babies health’ 🙈

@Hannah yes I would get a glass of milk and drink out of it and put back in the fridge to reuse. In fact I've done this with a nesquik I didn't get round to finishing a couple of days ago 😆

@Hannah I think you’ve made your opinion super clear here and given some very helpful information. However calling mums lazy is probably what is going to offend people. Parents will always do things their way with raising a wee one. When your little one is here I’m sure you’re going to have people tell you different ways of doing stuff. But I just hope no one calls you lazy when you’re pumping non stop and working on little to no sleep in the early days.

@courtney I’ve had my baby and I pump eight times a day and also breastfeed on demand in between his bottles 🙂

@courtney I completely agree everyone will do everything their own way but this lady who made the post was asking for advice and I do think it’s wrong to advocate to not washing pump parts to a new mum when it is a risk to the babies health especially when the fridge method is not recommended for babies under 2 months with their immune systems being so weak and then advising to not even rinse the parts on top of that is just mad to me

@Hannah wow you must be absolutely shattered and well done for being so on it with sterilising. I honestly mean that and congratulations. But as I’ve said you’ve made your point super clear, there’s no need to reiterate it.