Quick expressing reassurance needed

[5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs]

Hi

Despite having expressed for long periods of time over the last 8 years, I've never been brave enough to put the pumps in the fridge between uses - this is right isn't it, I can do this and not worry?

And just to be absolutely clear, does this mean I don't have to do any washing etc in between - just as they are drips an' all - or am I being thick ?

And to clarify on milk - do I need to cool down freshly expressed milk before adding it to the earlier be-fridged stuff?

Now I'm going to be 'pumping for health' and sneaking it into the older kids, I need to up my pumping from a rather lazy 'er, maybe once a week just in case I ever need it and we both prefer just feeding anyhow...' to 'industrial magic juice production line'...

[EdieMcredie]

We are in the process of trying different bottles for DD. If they are all sterilised can we put them in the fridge to try if the bottle her EBM is in doesn't work (ie she doesn't take it?)

In other words-do bottles stay sterile if put in fridge?

[5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs]

smiling/barbamama,
that is indeed wot I meant and nine... confirmed.

I've seen this discussion before on MN (sure you can find the old threads if you search) but just wanted to check. I think the suggestion is that because BM has anti-bac and anti-viral qualities etc, it is safe to leave the pump in between uses in a 24 hour period, as long as washed well once...

There is also a long, long thread somewhere about sterilising: some people don't even do that - rather they just wash in v hot water and airdry... I still sterilise my pump parts though but mostly cos I'm a complete slob and slattern in cleaning terms... If I was good at housework and could be bothered to clean the kitchen ever, I wouldn't bother sterilising!

[Holymoly321]

barbamama, thankyou for making my question clearer! Can someone confirm whether we can do this or not please... myu brain has gone to mush due to lack of sleep...

[barbamama]

thank you! I am so sick of washing and sterilising! To be clear, we are saying that the breast pump need only be washed (and sterilised?) once a day and can just be added to with the original bottle still on the end as long as kept in the fridge between sessions?

Also, what are the benefits of ebm for older ones? That sounds like a good idea.

[Holymoly321]

Sorry to hijack this thread - but can you just clarify what you mean here? Am thinking of trying to use avent hand pump to express milk but don't want the faff of washing and sterilising all the tiny bits five times a day! Are you saying that I can just stick the pump on a bottle and then express at different times of the day into the same bottle and then just put the whole lot into the fridge afterwards each time and then just get it out and express into the same bottle the next time?

[NineUnlovelyTinselDecorations]

Well you do what you have to don't you? My DS is intolerent to dairy products and I don't want him to have soya formula, so I have just kept doing it. I will be mighty glad when I can stop though! Personally I am more impressed with people who can actually BF.

[5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs]

Wow, Nine, I'm well impressed that you've been solo expressing for 15months...

[NineUnlovelyTinselDecorations]

That sounds great. I am sure the EBM will do them good and they might love it too!

I don't feed at all unfortunately - am an exclusive expresser as BF never worked out for us.

[5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs]

ever every

[5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs]

9etc,

my older kids are 3 and 8! But both very prone to colds, chest infections in winter and since I now have a new baby and someone on MN mentioned it, I've decided to give them a bit to see if I can fend off the bugs!

How often/when do you express then? After ever feed?

[NineUnlovelyTinselDecorations]

Yes it is absolutely safe to keep the pumps in the fridge between uses (assuming they get washed once a day in hot soapy water).

I would cool down the freshly expressed milk before adding to the earlier milk, and remember that the milk will be as old as the oldest milk in the pot IYSWIM so don't count 8 days from the new milk added, count 8 days from the oldest milk in the pot.

I must admit to not even putting my pump parts in the fridge between my 6pm express and the 10pm one But DS is 15m and has never had food poisoning so it must be okay.

How old are your older children, out of interest?