Pumping and hygiene - please help

[KinderWild]

I am quite anxious about pumping. Specifically I worry about me doing it wrong and my baby getting sick.

We had been exclusively BF for 6 weeks. In the last two nights we've introduced a pre 12 midnight bottle so that I can get a longer stretch of sleep (I was dangerously sleep deprived and this was effecting my MH but also I was falling asleep holding baby at night, very upsetting). This bottle is currently a formula bottle. I want it be expressed BM.

I have a double electric hospital grade pump and a haakaa. So I have the gear. But I am worried about pumping itself and the storage of the milk and making sure it is hygienic enough so as not to make my baby ill. I really want to pump as I don't want to use formula.

Can anyone talk me through the step by step of the pumping process, and how to do it so that everything, including me (should I shower before?) is clean enough? As I said I have a haakaa but hate that this can't go in our Milton steriliser (should only be boiled). I have a hospital grade double electric pump which I would sterilise in Milton and I have some little bottles to store the milk in itself.

For context - yes I have struggled with health anxiety in the past. It is under control but situations like this will test me until I have a good plan and that's what's I am seeking here others advice and reassurance on how to do this safely.

My first baby was FF and I hated it. Hated all the sterilising, hated all the chat from HV about contamination of milk and babies dying because of badly made up bottles (think I was unfortunate to have some terrible HV tbh but it was a dreadful dreadful time and I hated feeding my baby which is so terribly sad (I had PND with my first. No problems now).

And finally I haven't pumped for two days but we've effectively replaced a feed with formula other than to take off a bit with the haakaa and to release the pressure in the shower but admittedly not during feeding as I worry about taking milk and not leaving baby with enough during the feed. We've battled to get to this point with blocked ducts, mastitis, tongue tie and possible thrush, have I ruined my supply?

Thanks for listening!

Ohh don't worry pumping is absolutely fine!! No need to shower before hand. You wouldn't shower before breastfeeding and it's no difference. Your milk has loads of antibodies so there is little risk of contamination compared to formula. Sterilise all the pumping equipment between uses. Some people only sterilise once per day but I'm always cautious and do it after every pump. If you're still breastfeeding I'm sure there will be no problem with your supply.

No need to sterilize anything used for breast milk. Just think, your baby feeds from you and you arnt sterile! Just wash in hot soapy water and rinse well.

Breast milk is ok in the fridge for 4 days, but can be frozen.

If you’re giving a bottle you should try to pump at that time to tell your body you still need to make more milk

I would just give formula; much easier and getting breast milk.

Thank you. I am definitely over thinking all of this. It's a hard loop to get out of when overtired.

I think it's that when I breastfeed the milk goes straight from source to baby, no chance for any bacteria to grow but when I express the milk will be stored and so if I've introduced bacteria there will be a chance for it to grow.

Bacteria doesn't grow as easily in breastmilk as it has antimicrobial properties and there is nothing for it to get contaminated with really.

You also will not be taking the milk that the baby needs to drink. When you pump you're only ever removing the excess - your body will create more on demand as your baby drinks.

Breast milk is amazing for storage - it’s anti microbial and the antibodies continue to do their jobs for a long time. It can be kept 6 hours out of the fridge (on an average kind of day, not when it’s boiling probably), 6 days in the fridge and 6 whole months in the freezer. It’s nothing like handling formula where you need to be very careful, it’s hard to go wrong with it. I combo fed - breast, pumped and formula for top ups, using the breastmilk was easiest as formula isn’t supposed to be stored at all if you can help it. You always have to make it from scratch.

Thank you. I needed to hear this.

Yes I agree with everything said by others. If your still bf as well your supply will be fine the more the boob is drained the more it will make too weather its by baby or pump. Don't get disheartened if you don't get much for a while it can take a while to get used to pumping.

I agree with what the others said - when I was in hospital I was specifically told I only need to sterilise anything that had been in contact with formula, and only to make sure things were washed with soapy water if they had been in contact with breast milk

The kellymom website has loads of great resources about breastfeeding, it would be worth taking a look.

Also, look after yourself, it's natural to want to make sure you're doing everything right but it does sound like your anxiety is taking over. If you feel it's going to far please do speak to someone for some support, you'll be a much better parent if you're able to make sure you're ok as well as baby

You haven't ruined your supply, don't worry!

Just emphasising what everyone else has said -
no need to shower before, no need to sterilise, just use hot soapy water. Milk can stay out for up to 6 hours so if you're pumping in the early hours of the morning, you can leave it by your bed until you're up for the day. It's anti microbial (which is why it's great for rubbing on sore spots or for gunky baby eyes 😊) so much less risk than formula.

You're doing great!