My pediatricians here say that for a hospitalized baby the pump parts should
be sterilized by boiling (or autoclave). Hot soapy water with a good rinse
after each use is recommended for other pumping situations. One local LC
tells me that pump parts should be rinsed in cold water first, she says the
protein coagulates on the surfaces. (anyone else heard of this?)
I have moms use the starter feeding tubes for a few days if it looks like it
will be needed short term. I don't recommend sterilizing just the hot soapy
water routine.
Our hospital requires that our LC's use gloves if they are going to come in
contact with body fluids, including saliva and breastmilk. (Finger cots for
an oral assessment do not protect the entire hand so says our infection
control nurse) Both my partner and I find that a single tight fitting latex
glove works well. I have also taken to wearing my glasses during consults
because I was accedently sprayed in the eye by a mom with an strong MER, and
I was at least 3 ft from her.
Marie Davis