Expressing, Storage and Sterilisation

[webbyroo]

Firstly I am new to mumsnet and found it very good, however because their is so much info I am getting in to trouble for spending all day searching for one lot of info and getting distracted by reading something else! So here is my query.

I have justed started to experiment with expressing and getting my dd used to the bottle. I am using the Avent Isis hand pump and their disposable/reusable storage containers. When expressing a couple of times through out the day, can you re-attach this container to the pump to add to it, or do you need to express in to a clean container then add it to the original amount. (only getting 2 oz at each time at the mo.)

Also reading some of the threads about sterilaising and some views that it is not always needed as long a good wash in a dish washer or v. hot water - does the pump need to be sterialsed each time? What do you do when you are at work and do not have sterilasing facilities?

I am very keen to see what people already returned to work have done on this issue.

(Just re read what i have written - could do with a spell check!!)

I kept the pump in a coolbag during the day and never washed it between goes - breastmilk lasts for ages. Try www.kellymom.com for the best information about pumping, storage etc. It really is a fantastic site.

I did what aloha recommends webbyroo - took a Medela pump to work with sterilised sealed bottles and expressed into them without washing the pump between blasts. Quite frankly where I work, three-hours-old breastmilk residue was way more hygienic than our tapwater or our sink
Seriously, EBM does have natural antibacterials in it which makes it safer to leave sterilising to once a day (as recommended in my very prescriptive German Medela manual).
I would, if you can, investigate refrigeration facilities, if this is about ultimately returning to work - as centrally heated office environments in winter can be quite hard to use coolboxes in.
Lots of us on here successfully returned to work and kept feeding/expressing, do a search of the archives and you will find lots of reassurance and support.
Good luck and welcome to Mumsnet

Can I just ask Marina or Aloha, did you use a new container each time you expressed or did you keep topping up the first one?

Anyone else can answer as well! Pretty please.

Yes, Tinker, I did use a fresh container each time. I took in two, sterile, and sealed, each day which did us fine.

If you are planning on using a Medela somewhere around the house I think I have a priceless and now obsolete adaptor gubbins which screws onto a standard wide-mouthed Avent bottle and enables you express directly into said bottle instead of faffing around with Medela's own little weirdy containers. CAT if you want me to start ransacking the house