Help for FTM - sterilising newborn stuff

[trrk]

I didn't research this at all as was hoping to breastfeed but it's taking time to get established. I'm confused about how often newborn stuff needs sterilising/how long it stays sterile for.

In particular:

1. Haakaa breast pump or nipple shields (using these while trying to breastfeed) - do they need to be be sterilised between every feed during the night? Sometimes I've been forgetting to do the pump but then I throw away the milk which seems a waste.


2. Bottles - if she starts a bottle but doesn't finish it how long can it be kept before throwing away the rest of the milk?


3. Electric breast pump parts - need sterilsing between every use or just once a day?


4. Best long term solution for sterilising stuff - have been using microwave bags as it's the only thing I brought in advance. Should we inves in some sort of machine for this?

Stuff that's only in contact with breast milk doesn't need to be sterilised for a healthy full term newborn, just washed in hot soapy water. You can sterilise once a day if you prefer, but just washing the stuff is enough. You can also put pump parts in a ziplock bag in fridge instead and wash once a day.

Stuff that will be containing formula always needs to be sterilised. I find the Milton cold water unit the easiest. Just store bottles in there until needed.

Oh and I believe it's an hour or so for a started bottle, although if it's EBM I've just always stuck it back in fridge and used again later 🤷‍♀️ Formula I would chuck.

I can't advise on the hakaa or nipple shields but as for as the other stuff goes...

I have a tommee tippee microwave steriliser (needs 5 mins) which I use when big amounts have built up. I also use munchkin steriliser bags for smaller jobs (needs 3 mins). Finally MAM bottles have the ability to self sterilise... you just stack the parts in a special way, add a small amount of water in the base and pop them in the microwave, no steriliser equipment needed! Obviously a bottle brush and a decent washing up liquid that you're happy using on baby stuff are also essential items for the pre-sterilising clean.

I sterilise my pump parts (I have the Elvie pumps) between every pumping session. It might be excessive but it's the risk of breast thrush (so painful!) that makes me not compromise on that.^^ There are some Instagram videos promoting keeping the parts in the fridge between pumps instead, but a fridge isn't cold enough to stop bacteria so I'm not taking that risk!

In terms of length you can have a bottle on the go, everything I've read suggests 2hrs for breast milk (once baby has had contact with the bottle) or 1hr ideally for formula.

Good luck

I think the instructions with my breastpump said to wash after every use and sterilise by boiling once a week. I did the former every time, only did the boiling thing once then never remembered again.

Thanks all for the great tips! Have been struggling to work everything out in between c-section recovery, sleeplessness and getting hit by the ‘baby blues’

Formula is 2 hours from starting a bottle. I used to sterilise breast pump and all the bits as well but only pumped for a few weeks. If you're going to be using formula or combi feeding I'd get an electric steriliser or one that going in the microwave. You can normally get one fairly cheaply on Facebook market place/gumtree.

It sounds confusing at the start but you will easily get the hang of it
Bottles - if she starts a bottle but doesn't finish it how long can it be kept before throwing away the rest of the milk?- 1 hour from starting bottle.
Best long term solution for sterilising stuff - have been using microwave bags as it's the only thing I brought in advance. Should we inves in some sort of machine for this-
you can get a microwaveable steriliser which once tbe items are done keeps them sterilise for 24 hours.
Or you can do cold water sterilisation using Milton check out their website.
I use an electric tommee tippee steriliser I love it but do wish I just used the microwave one.
For on the go can beat the small microwavable bags you get from boots by munchkin or boots own brand.

I do cold water sterilisation, I find it easier as chuck it in there til I need it so don't have to think when I took it out, I just make sure the water is changed around 9pm

I keep formula for 2 hours and make them in the perfect prep

I keep formula for 2 hours if it's not be started but once baby starts drink I start the 1 hour clock. Perfect prep machine again... Isn't it amazing!

I’m on my second baby and this is me too right now, it’s hard to concentrate.

With my first, formula saved my sanity and we combi fed but figuring out bottles and pumps at first was 🤯

We have Mam and their ‘self sterilizing’ method is handy but it ruined our old microwave last time so we use cold water sterilizing and use the Mam method if we need the bottle quickly (3 mins poi’s cooling time).

we just use a large bowl with the Milton tablets and leave the bottles on there until needed changing the water and tablet every morning.

I sterilized my breast pump after every use.

Formula can last up to two hours but it will tell you on the pack. We use pre-makes for outside the house and perfect prep at home. We didn’t have the PP last time....rookie error 😂

• Haakaa breast pump or nipple shields (using these while trying to breastfeed) - do they need to be be sterilised between every feed during the night? Sometimes I've been forgetting to do the pump but then I throw away the milk which seems a waste.

• nipple shields can just be washed in warm soapy water. Haakaa pump I used to sterilise between uses

• Bottles - if she starts a bottle but doesn't finish it how long can it be kept before throwing away the rest of the milk?

• 1 hour

• Electric breast pump parts - need sterilsing between every use or just once a day?

• between uses

• Best long term solution for sterilising stuff - have been using microwave bags as it's the only thing I brought in advance. Should we inves in some sort of machine for this?

• get a steam steriliser! So easy; Just stack stuff to be sterilised inside, done in around 8 mins, we have the Philips Avent one. When done, make up bottles immediately and they stay sterile for 24 hours

Also trying to get my head around sterilising as am combi feeding. I use Milton but may switch to steam sterilising. Either way, once sterilised do you assemble the bottles while wet including the teat? I thought this would encourage bacteria to grow.

and once assembled, where do you store them?

Thanks