Air drying pump parts - how is this possible in the time?!!!

[RhubarbRocks]

I’m triple feeding (breast, expressing, formula) to try to increase my supply which is low after losing a lot of blood during my C-section.

I have to pump 8-10 times a day on top of feeding. can just about cope with this (means a 90 min to two hour cycle within every 3 hours).

But getting everything washed and dry between sessions is finishing me off. I have now got three sets of pump parts but I still can’t get them air dried in time.

I have tried a hair dryer but just blew a whole load of meals dry parts onto the floor meaning I have to wash them again!

How on earth is air drying feasible if you don’t live somewhere hot and is there any alternative?

Please help! It may sound trivial but the latest incident has had me in tears (doesn’t help when exhausted!)

Not ‘meals’ dry parts - ‘nearly’ dry parts!!

I feel like I just used them slightly damp... As was also triple feeding and can't remember having to dry anything. But that could be baby brain?!

I washed, sterilised, and used it wet if it was wet

I would dry them with a napkin/tissue.

Wow, you’re making such a heroic effort, well done you. Have you heard of the ‘fridge hack’? You put the used parts in a sealed freezer bag or clean Tupperware in the fridge between pumps and wash/sterilise once a day. https://www.reddit.com/r/ExclusivelyPumping/s/ymqnfyGRKN

edited to add: I’m not sure if this is recommended with a newborn, you would have to do your own research on what you feel comfortable with, of course! Hope you get through this stage quickly.

Wash them, shake them, leave to dry on clean kitchen roll, if not dry when you come to use them, shake and dry with clean kitchen roll. Surely they can’t be that wet after being left to dry? You must be talking a matter of tiny droplets left after say ten minutes of air drying?

Can you wash with very hot water? I find things washed with really hot water dry faster.

I don't think you need to wash after every expressing session. I'd use for a few sessions and then keep it covered in between like a PP suggested before washing and re-sterilising

I did this. My dc was in Nicu and had a tiny stomach. It was relentless. A nurse there told me about this and it was grand with both my children from the beginning.

Thanks all. The fridge hack sounds good. It really would be a game changer if really ok for newborns - and if NICU nurse is recommending that is a good sign!

In terms of why I’m wanting them totally dry, the parts aren’t soaking wet but do have drops on them after hours of sitting on a clean tea towel. The worry is breaking the really expensive pump I hadn’t budgeted for by getting moisture into it!!

Thanks for the heroic comment - I feel like a failing mess at the moment and that gave me a boost!

You could use kitchen roll to dry off wet parts too

You are not a failing mess you are doing so well! Triple feeding is brutal - I literally cried every day, but it does get better I promise. Well done Mama!

Absolutely! I wasn’t triple feeding but was exclusively pumping and finger feeding for two weeks until she latched and that was hard enough. Directly feeding and then pumping must be really really hard work but you’ll get there. You’ve got this!

Another member of the “triple feeding broke me” club - I didn’t last very long at all, I’m afraid. BUT I definitely put the parts in the fridge as PP have mentioned - it was suggested by my lactation consultant.

Also, if you’re using a bottle, which steriliser do you have? Mine had a “dry only” function. No good if you’ve got MAM bottles or use Milton, but if it’s an electric one then it might?

@QueenOfWeeds we are using a combo of Milton and the Medela microwave bags. I’ve looked for sterilizers that dry but all of them have terrible reviews. If anyone can recommend one that works for more than a few weeks then that would be great.

But the good news is that our very experienced midwife comfirmed that the fridge hack is fine for newborns. Wash and sterilize once a day and store in ziplock or seal s Tupperware in fridge. Gamechanger and thanks to those above who flagged it!!!

You only need to wash every 24 hours. Pop them in a covered Tupperware container in the fridge in between each use.
Then once every 24 hours rinse with cold water then hot soapy wash them and leave to dry. Equipment used for breastfeed does not need to be sterilized. The bottles and teats you use with formula do need to be sterilized between each use.

And triple feeding is tough. I only did it for 12 hours and found it exhausting. You are amazing.

Triple feeding is SO hard! You’re doing amazingly to still be hanging in there. I used a Philips avent steam steriliser/dryer and loved it (I’ve stopped pumping now for the most part but still use it for formula bottles).

Salad spinner! I think I picked up this tip from an American instagram account (pump momma pump maybe) but have a dedicated salad spinner that you keep clean, drop all parts in after washing, quick spin before putting out to dry. Makes a massive difference to drying times and only adds a few minutes to the washing process.

Good luck! I pumped for nearly a year with my first and found the whole thing incredibly difficult emotionally and practically. Fridge hack also really helped, and being kind to myself about how hard I was trying for my baby. You’re doing brilliantly xx