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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

DO I have to sterilise breast pump before using?

17 replies

Holymoly321 · 02/02/2008 15:04

Only asking because in a La Leche League leaflet I picked up today it said you don't need to sterilise breast pumps before use, just wash throughly in hot soapy water...

OP posts:

QuintessentialShadow · 02/02/2008 15:05

3Ddonut · 02/02/2008 15:06

I used to sterilise mine before I used it, if you put the milk into sterile bottles but it's been in a non-sterile pump then it's pointless IMO, does it not say wash in hot soapy water before sterilising?

3Ddonut · 02/02/2008 15:07

I used to use my pump to store 'bits' of milk during the day before I had enough to store it properly so it should be sterile.

spicemonster · 02/02/2008 15:07

I stopped doing mine when my ds got to 6 months

LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:08

Hmm, I suppose it depends on if you get all the milk out when you use it, I didnt always sterilise mine, it was quite hard to tbh, but I would've thought LLL would know.

foxythesnowman · 02/02/2008 15:10

Apparently a run through the dishwasher is as good as sterilising.

If you are expressing frequently, you can put the lid on and keep it in the fridge inbetween times.

Personally, I sterilise it every time for a newborn, then once a day when lo was about 3 months and I was expressing after every feed and keeping it in the fridge. Now (6 months) I sterilise before I use it, but do it so infrequently, and only because there are too many bits for the milk to get stuck and fester I think.

3Ddonut · 02/02/2008 15:12

Yes, agree that LLL advice should be right but if you store your milk in bottles from the breast pump (assuming you have that type) and it's not sterile then any bugs that are in the bottles are just going to multiply, even if you sterilise the bottle but not the pump mechanisms the milk could still collect bacteria on the way through (not sure how much this may just be a very small risk) I know that your nipples aren't sterile but the milk is and is the storage of it that I'd be more concerned about. What type of pump do you have?

charleymouse · 02/02/2008 15:16

I borrowed pump from SCBU as DT prem they advised not to sterilise just wash thoroughly in hot soapy water then air dry on kitchen towel before storing in tupperware tub with lid on. So that is what I did. DS on expressed BM for first month. Bottles were disposable or sterilised not sure why they were classified differently but did as I was told. This was also how it was treated whilst in hospital. HTH

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 02/02/2008 15:45

I've got the Avent hand pump. Think I'll just keep on sterilising for the mo, better safe than sorry! Bub is only 11 weeks...

OP posts:

Zoomum · 02/02/2008 18:46

Hi, I do sterilise the breast pump, but maybe it's preference after baby is over 3 months. I don't sterilise his plates or cup for example.

LiegeAndLief · 02/02/2008 19:25

Hot soapy water should be sufficient but ONLY if you give it a really good clean, getting in all the nooks and crannies - you don't want any bits of stuck milk festering. Same for bottles. Personally I sterilised mine as I didn't always trust myself to be cleaning thoroughly enough in my sleep deprived haze!

MommaFeelgood · 02/02/2008 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

terramum · 02/02/2008 21:55

Is the leaflet an LLLI or LLLGB one? The advice from over the pond does differ slightly to the UK I think.

A lot of people think that washing thoroughly should be sufficient for ebm bound for healthy term babies. But with prem or babies with health issues or those in hospital some say it is best to err on the side on caution and sterilise all equipment to minimise the risk of infections. I think the DOH recommend sterilising to ensure all babies, including the vulnerable ones, are protected. It's a judgement call for the mum really. BM is very different from cows milk & formula in the way it behaves, grows harmful bacteria etc (e.g. it is safe to store at room temperature for up to 10 hours) so it's worth knowing that when you think about when the pump was last used etc... This link might be useful: www.llli.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html

It's worth noting as well that putting bottles or a pump through the dishwasher may not sterilise them depending on the program used. A hot program c.70 degrees is needed for that....but if you are happy to go with the thorough washing option then a normal dishwashing cycle of 40-60 degrees should be fine.

Trolleydolly71 · 02/02/2008 22:14

Message withdrawn

BigBadMouse · 02/02/2008 22:30

trolleydolly which component is that? Haven't heard of that before?

Trolleydolly71 · 02/02/2008 23:37

Message withdrawn

BigBadMouse · 02/02/2008 23:54

Oh well that's marvellous isn't it...but at least we'll all have nice shiny glasswear eh

Hopefully using ecover tablets is going to help us avoid this sort of thing. The glass shiney stuff is pointless anyway, vinegar is much cheaper and just as good if not better IMO.

Luckily I bite my nails and never polish my home so that saves DC3 from some evils

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