I have heard about that particular tip of just putting the parts in the
fridge.  I refuse to recommend that for a few reasons.  I may be wrong but
here it goes.

 

1)      The parts are not sitting in breastmilk staying wet - they are
drying out in the fridge therefore leaving dried milk on the parts that will
be there at the next pumping.  Even if they are in a container - the milk is
still drying out on all of the parts.

2)      Unless the parts are put into their own ziplock bag or container
with a lid they are also being exposed to who knows what other germs are in
that fridge.  That doesn't sound sanitary to me at all - or safe.  

 

I get the idea that if milk can stay in the fridge for 4-8 days then the
parts can be in there for 8-12 hours - but I don't agree with the sanitary
aspect at all.  Maybe I am just being overly careful - but I am not
personally willing to take the risk of telling moms it is fine to do this.
If mom does end up with a staph infection due to this practice it is my butt
on the line.and her body is damaged.  And to me it just sounds yucky.I am
putting something that has dried milk and tissue back on to my breast - it
doesn't matter that it is mine - it isn't clean and I am now pumping into
parts that have cold dried milk in them.  Maybe I am just overly sensitive?

 

One of my moms is also on a list for pumping moms and she told me of this
particular practice - we discussed it thoroughly.  I told her of my
professional and personal opinion of this practice.  I told her that, having
once been a pumping mom myself, (literally every two hours around the clock
for solid 3 months) I thoroughly understand the need to save time - however,
I didn't think this was the safest way to do it.  That is why I suggested
the following to her:

 

1)      rinse parts with hot water only and wipe dry - OR -

2)      use the Medela wipes (we also discussed the idea of the chemicals on
the parts from the wipes) - OR -

3)      invest in a couple extra sets of flanges and valves and take them
with you to work.  3 sets should be enough if you are pumping 3 times a day
at work.  This way you are pumping with clean flanges every time.  If you
are pumping more than 3 times (and don't want to bring 4 sets) then on your
lunch break take the time to thoroughly wash what you will need for the rest
of the day.  (bwt - when I was pumping I had 4 full sets of flanges I
rotated through.  Once done pumping, my flanges were put into a bowl of hot
soapy water to soak and to be cleaned later.)

 

These may be a tad more cumbersome but, correct me if I am wrong, they are a
lot safer, a lot cleaner, and a lot less risky.  I'd be interested in
other's thoughts on the safety of this practice regarding possible bacterial
contamination.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Warmly,

 

Jaye

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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