Fridge Hack for Pump Parts
I’m a FTM of twins and am constantly looking for ways to save time, money, or my sanity (preferably all of the above 😊). I was talking to my friend who has a newborn and she is struggling to keep up with everything, especially cleaning her pump parts after every use.
I was talking to her about the fridge storage method so she can reduce the number of times she’s having to clean them throughout the day. She was aware of this method and recently asked her lactation consultant her thoughts about it. Her LC didn’t totally advise against it but basically asked “would you keep a fork/knife in the fridge all day and use them without washing them”? So my friend felt discouraged from using the fridge hack after that.
I’m certainly NOT an expert, but I feel like I disagree. If anything I’d equate it more to reusing a drinking cup/glass. It’s common to refill your glass when you’re drinking, right? You don’t always grab a clean one after every drink. I’m not saying you have to go a whole day without washing them, but it seems reasonable to go 2-3 cycles as long as they’re stored properly.
What’s your opinion?
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Firstly, I take my hat off for you pumping for your twins! I pumped a while after my LO was born as he was sick, and I wanted to keep my milk production going, and pumping is HARD and so time-consuming - you are an amazing mama!
I agree with your analogy with the drinking glass, but I can't help to think that even though we refill our drinking glass throughout the day without washing it, it does come with its germs, however over bodies, whith a fully developed immune system does not take notice of that and I guess there is a risk that germs can grow (even in the fridge) from the left over milk and could cause our little ones to be ill, as they are still developing their immune system...
I did the fridge method for months, as long as it had a good wash once every 24 hours and personally I did then sterilise it just incase (not a requirement) we had no issues. We actually got a mini fridge just for my pump parts and bottles for upstairs so that it stayed extra clean but it was mainly so I didn’t have to go downstairs in the night to pump 😂
If I’d have been aware of the fridge hack when I was pumping I probably would’ve stuck with pumping for longer!! Washing it up after each use was a nightmare!
Hahaha I do out them in the fridge and wash them every 2 days. Baby is fine. Ugh pumping is certainly hard. I hate being judged as a mom. You are doing great and enough.
I do the fridge method I also donate a large lot of milk every month with no issue using the fridge method.
The only difference to what I do is I don't do it for 24hrs I do it for 12hrs as some of our babies have serve health issues so feel more comfortable doinf it that way. Saves time & effort
I did the fridge method, I don’t see how my milks good out the fridge freshly pumped for 4 hours, or in the fridge for 4 days but in a pump flange in the fridge for a few sessions/ a day is wrong just doesn’t add up to me 💁🏻♀️ I used to wash and sterilise usually twice a day sometimes once a day when baby was a bit older. 😊
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