Sterilising - how to dry? How important to remove ALL condensation?

[Pushandrun]

DD is just over a week old. I have a MAM breast pump which I want to use. There are 13 parts which (according to instructions) must be completely disassembled. Many of them are incredibly fiddly and the MAM steriliser I am using in the microwave leaves them covered in condensation. The fiddly nature of the parts means air-drying for 24 hours still doesn't get rid of all the water. How should I dry them without undoing the sterilisation? How important is this really (to get rid of ALL condensation)? I am being VERY careful to use the exact amount of water (200ml)

There is no need to remove the condensation. It's safe to use immediately when wet.

You shouldn't be air drying for 24 hours as it will then no longer be sterilized. The sterilizer I use keeps things sterilized for up to 4 hours provided the lid is kept on.

Hi OP, congratulations on your LG! I understood that the water inside (condensation) is sterile and drying it just make it unsterile? I might be wrong!

Congratulations by the way

I was advised that there isn't a need to sterilise a breast pump. Breast milk contains such high amounts of antibodies that bacteria cannot multiply. I was advised to keep mine in the back of the fridge (coolest part) after each use. I washed it every 2-3 days & returned it to the fridge

I have a madela pump, I wash it between each use and sterile it once a day now she is 4 months, at the start I sterilsed it between each use. I just shake the excess water off and assemble it to use.

No need to dry it, the condensation is sterile. Doesn't need to be sterilised after each use either.

Do be careful never to use it with the microwave switched to "grill" though if your microwave has such a function, as this will melt the whole steriliser and everything in it. That was not a good day

Thank you everyone. This all make sense. Was panicking a bit. I have a science background and air drying in unsterile conditions or with towels didn't make sense to me. The pump instructions tell me it all has to be dry but clearly they are just covering their bums!

I was advised that there isn't a need to sterilise a breast pump. Breast milk contains such high amounts of antibodies that bacteria cannot multiply. I was advised to keep mine in the back of the fridge (coolest part) after each use. I washed it every 2-3 days & returned it to the fridge

No--breastmilk does contain some impressive anti-microbial agents which slow the growth of bacteria, but bacteria will absolutely still grow in breastmilk, albeit more slowly. There is a paucity of research on breastmilk storage science, but standard advice is to thoroughly wash (in hot soapy water) and sterilize your pump once per day minimum. However, putting the pump in back in the fridge unwashed between uses on a single day is generally considered OK.

OP, bear in mind that in some countries, people don't sterilize these things at all--just wash well in hot water with washing up liquid. Sure, sterilization 1x day is probably a good idea just to be on the safe side, but I don't think you need to panic too much about these little details, especially if it is EBM rather than formula that is the milk in question.

Honestly you're overthinking this. You don't need to micromeasure the water or dry stuff, you can use it as soon as it cools enough to touch. Or you can simply stick it all in the dishwasher (although this eventually discolours the parts and teats don't stand up well to it). The risk is a lot lower than with formula anyway.

I generally tried to wash mine once per day while baby was small and then give it a quick run in a microwave steriliser bag but if it was less often I didn't stress too much.

I always just washed my pump in hot soapy water. With my bottle fed one I also just washed the bottles in hot soapy water carefully. Years ago on scbu with my first they did this and advised it, it doesn’t need to be sterilised (disclaimer UK advice, I appreciate in some countries this is not advised)

They don't need to be dry - I used to take out of steriliser, shake out excess over sink and use. The condensation is sterile. Any condensation left inside will not affect the bottle of milk.

You don't need to sterilise anything for breastmilk if baby was full term and healthy.