Accidentally used unwashed breast pump

[DaphneLan]

I’m an idiot. I had 2 breast pumps by my bed for overnight pumping, I used one of them about 2 hours ago and split the milk into 2 bottles and gave my 4 week old one. Just now, I accidentally used the same unwashed breast pump and expressed into the unused bottle of milk from 2 hours ago and fed it to my baby. I only realised afterwards and I’m freaking out that I’ve just fed her a load of bacteria and hurt her. How long before I know if I’ve made her ill? And what symptoms should I look for?

If I remember correctly breastmilk stays good at room temperature for at least 4h so i think your baby should be OK.

Breast milk doesn't go off that quickly unlike formula and you'd have only had traces of the old milk in the pump.

Also unless your baby has underlying conditions Thst compromised their immunity I doubt they would get seriously ill. A bit of an upset stomach maybe. How old is your baby?

But as I said, within 4h should be perfectly fine. Please don't worry.

According to this NHS hospital guidance it's actually good for 6h.

https://www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-of-services/maternity-services/breastfeeding/storing-breastmilk/#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20can%20be%20left,soon%20after%20expressing%20as%20possible.

She’s 4 weeks old, she came at 37 weeks but didn’t have any health issues. I’m just so worried that I’ve messed up :(

I wouldn't worry. Breastmilk is naturally antibacterial and keeps for quite a while even at room temperature. Unless your cat / toddler came along and licked the pump or something, I'm sure the baby will be absolutely fine.

For breastmilk, it's fine.
I'd use it fairly quickly but it is exceedingly unikley to cause any issues.

Like I said 2h is no issue at all. Looks like up to 6 would be OK. She will be fine. You haven't messed up at all. If she's only 4 weeks old you are probably sleep deprived so things like this can happen easily. Go easy on yourself. I remember that as a new mum it's easy to feel overwhelmed and to feel as if you keep messing up and endangering your baby but considering all the million things we suddenly need to learn and do I think it's normal for quite a few things to not go according to plan. Most babies are quite hardy. Much more so than they look. I'm sure you are doing a great job.

You'll be fine OP.

Just to say - try to ensure your baby is feeding as much as possible during the night (rather than pumping, I mean). It's kit that there's any issue with pumping but milk production is stimulated by the production ld prolactin, at its highest between 1 & 3 am, and this is best boosted by the baby feeding, rather than pumping which is less effective at this.

Best of luck!

She tends to fall asleep on the breast so I do try and breastfeed at night but I pump the remaining milk after she’s nodded off and unlatched so it’s not wasted

Thanks for this, I haven’t had more than 2 hours in a row since she was born but I still can’t believe I did something so stupid, just praying that she doesn’t get sick :/

She'll be absolutely fine. I've done it countless times (have a toddler and 9 week old)

Just like everyone said, 2 hours isn't enough for bacteria to grow. Babies are remarkably resilient, they have evolved to cope with over tired parents! 😊

Just on pumping - unless you have been advised to, or want to build it up so you can take a break / allow someone else to feed her (all good ideas!) there's no need to pump after she falls asleep.

She'll regulate the supply. You won't 'waste' any milk - it's produced only on her requirement.

Equally, as much as you can, try not to feed her expressed milk till 6 - 8 weeks, or later if possible (I know that's not always practically possible!). This is because each feed sets down the exact supply & nature of the feed she needs - the milk she gets at night is richer & more calorific than the milk she will have during the day, which will be more about thirst.

So when mums express & feed the milk at an early stage, it can mean that supply doesn't build up as needed, and sometimes that even with milk available the baby is hungry as it's not the specific type of feed they need.

Of course it's ultimately about what makes you & baby happy & no one way suits everyone - but there's no need necessarily to express unless you really need to.