Tag: breastfeeding tips

Must-Have Products, Tips & Tricks

Do I need to sterilize pumping supplies?

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With all the stress on properly cleaning your pumping and feeding supplies, Is sterilization necessary? I often see this step listed as *optional.* Why is that the case? (And what sources back up your decision to, or not to, sterilize your bottles and pump stuff?

Image: Electric bottle sterilizer from PMP’s antiques collection

To sterilize or not to sterilize?

According to the CDC, sterilization is “for extra protection.” They suggest doing this at least once daily for newborns (they count “newborn” as any infant under 2 months old), babies who were born prematurely, babies with a weakened immune system, or babies undergoing medical treatment (such as chemotherapy). For healthy babies, they stress proper cleaning of bottles and pump parts with hot soapy water after every use, followed by air drying. HealthyChildren.org cited the same information from the CDC, and adds that if you use a dishwasher with a heating drying cycle, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary. 

According to WebMD, this practice comes from olden days when water supply was not reliably clean. If your water supply is safe for you to drink, it’s safe to wash/rinse baby bottles with, without additional sterilization. It’s not necessary to sterilize what is already safe. They do suggest getting well water tested if you use a private well.

According to Baby Center, a Canadian publication, it’s not enough to wash bottles in soapy water alone. Before proper cleaning/sterilization, babies would often become sick with thrush, gastroenteritis, viruses, and parasitic infections. They suggest sterilization by boiling or steaming equipment after washing for at least the first 4 months. This reduces the risk of baby getting sick during their vulnerable first year.

According to the NHS (UK), sterilizing after a complete wash and rinse is recommended up until 12 months of age. This protects baby from infections, in particular diarrhea and vomiting that can cause baby to become severely dehydrated. They suggest sterilization by steaming, boiling, or using a cold water sterilizing solution. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, NCBI, sterilization is only necessary when a pump and pump supplies are being used by more than one infant. They state that breastmilk collection kits should not be used by different mothers unless they have been properly sterilized, and that nipples and pacifiers should be used by only one infant. They go so far as to say that in a hospital, if a pacifier or bottle nipple touches any unclean surface, that it should not be cleaned but discarded altogether.

According to the AAP, concerns of water safety come into play when a family is using a private well. Illness resulting from children’s ingestion of contaminated water can be severe. (This also goes for using private well water to prepare formula. More information on well water usage can be found on their website, linked below under “Sources.”

*** ALL baby bottle and pump companies suggest an initial sterilization before the first use of their products. (Be sure to read the instructions provided with your pumping supplies to see what parts can be sterilized!) ***

Sooooo… like many things, educate yourself and do what you feel is best for your baby. 

I do highly suggest sterilization for premature or medically fragile babies, or if your tap water is unsafe to drink, or if you are using a private well.

How do I sterilize baby bottles?

If you’ve decided that sterilization step is important for you, you’re going to need to know how to do it! First, clean your bottles and pumping supplies with hot soapy water. Any dish soap is fine, but you might find that Dapple or Babyganics bottle soap best removes the greasy film left behind from breastmilk. Then, proceed with sterilization. The two most common ways of sterilizing are boiling and steaming.

Boil

  • Place your disassembled pump parts and bottles in a large pot and cover with water
  • Bring to a boil
  • Boil for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally (Set a timer!)
  • Remove all items with tongs and air dry
  • WARNING– Over-boiling or overfilling pot with items that come to rest against the side can result in damage to your pumping supplies!

Steam

  • Use a microwave steam bag or plastic microwave steamer. Follow product directions, adding a bit of water and not exceeding the microwave time they recommend. Vent and allow steam to escape before touching items and allowing to air dry.
  • Suggested microwave steamers: Medela microwave sterilizer bags (20 uses per bag, great for travel/work!) Evenflo silicone microwave bag, Philips Avent steamer, Dr. Brown’s microwave steamer, Munchkin steam sterilizer,

Self-contained electric steamers

  • Follow product recommendations to sterilize pump parts and bottles using a self-contained electric steamer designed for this use only.
  • Suggested steamers: Baby Brezza bottle sterilizer and dryer machine, Dr Brown’s All-in-one, Philips Avent premium sterilizer/dryer, Papablic baby bottle electric sterilizer, Wabi Baby electric sterilizer
  • UV sterilizers like this one by Grownsy

Dish washer

  • Remember, if you use the heat dry or sanitize settings on your dish washer, no additional sterilization is necessary!
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* Melissa’s own experience *

Boiling freaked me out. I accidentally warped a bottle so from then on, I was more careful. Personally, I sterilized via microwave steam sterilization twice a day for my early babies, since my first baby was premature and I was used to that level of care with my second, early-term baby. I eventually moved to once-a-day sterilization for about 6 months or so (mostly out of habit, honestly.) My favorite product was the Medela Microwave Sterilizer Bags but if I did it all over again, I’d either use a reusable microwave sterilizer like this one by Philips Avent, or spring for an electric sterilizer. If money were no object, I’d definitely get a countertop dishwasher for all my pumping supplies!

Sources:

Click each link below to read cited sources in detail

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Tips & Tricks

Introducing a Bottle After Exclusively Nursing

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Hopefully you’re not reading this the night before your baby’s first day at daycare… *laughs nervously* …that’s actually a pretty common scenario for many mommas! Nursing is going so well, with no “need” to introduce a bottle, so the transition to a bottle gets rushed right before mommas returns to work. And how do you even transition baby to a bottle? Or, Maybe you’re planning ahead and looking for the “right” way to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby. You’ve come to the right place! You’ll find my own advice, plus links to trusted sources with valuable tips to help you on your way!

[Disclaimer- A lot of this is going to be trial and error, so start EARLY and leave enough time introduce baby their bottle!]

WHEN? When should you start?

If your breastfeeding goal is to nurse (directly latching baby at the breast), concentrate on establishing good latch and milk transfer (often working closely with a lactation professional) in those first few weeks after birth. Once you and baby are comfortable with nursing and your baby’s doctor is happy with their growth, you can begin to think about bottle feeding. Ideally, you’d want to introduce a bottle before baby loses their automatic suck reflex. What’s an automatic suck reflex? If you touch the roof of your baby’s mouth with your finger, a pacifier, or a nipple, they will automatically begin sucking. This reflex can diminish as early as 2 months old. A good range to introduce a bottle is between 6-10 weeks postpartum after a good nursing latch has been established. (Latch by Robin Kaplan, M.Ed. IBCLC)
At the VERY least, Start two weeks before you’ll be leaving baby with a caregiver!

Special thanks to my client/cousins Josh & Shelley

WHY? Why use a bottle?

If you are planning to be away from baby during their feeding time, for any reason, you’ll want to ensure that they are able to successfully take a bottle. For some mommas, this means a solo-trip out of the house, girls night out, or a much needed date night to reconnect with a partner. For some mommas, this can mean returning to work after maternity leave. For some mommas, this can mean sharing the responsibility (and joy!) of feeding with a family member or friend. There’s no one reason to use a bottle, and some mommas choose to stay close to baby and offer the breast whenever they are able. This is not a space for division or judgement, this is a space for learning, together.

This is also not a space for guilt. If you are feeling guilty about giving baby a bottle… Let yourself feel it, yes, but let’s work on that. Your baby will be cared for. They will be nurtured and loved and nourished while you are separated and then nurtured and loved and nourished when you reunite. Will you feel guilt when they begin to use a spoon in addition to your breast? Probably not, right? Group a bottle in with all the other utensils that will eventually help nourish their bodies. That mindset may ease your mind a bit, so remind yourself of that when feelings of guilt creep in.

WHAT? What bottle should you use?

Every bottle is different… but it may be the NIPPLE that your baby is rejecting! Try a few different kinds! (For example, many babies prefer the narrower based nipples even though they aren’t marketed as the ones that have a wide base and look like a breast. Some babies find silicone nipples to be too slippery. Some babies like the slightly textured or angled nipples. Etc) It’s widely recommended to use a NARROW BASED nipple with a GENTLE SLOPE. These can be easier for a nursing baby to latch onto. In the image below, I show you a gradual slope (Lansinoh, one of my favorites) and a more rounded one (Comotomo). Select a SLOW FLOW nipple so that they can be paced-bottle fed and work for the milk, like they do at the breast.
What about “Nipple confusion?” When we hear that term, we can get scared that baby will never go back to the breast. What this comes down to is flow preference- with baby preferring the quick, passive flow of a bottle to the breast, which they have to work at. This is why selecting a slow-flow nipple and using paced bottle feeding is so important!

Some of my favorite bottles for nursing babies:

WHO? Who should feed baby?

There are two schools of thought on this tip- Some advise you to leave the house so baby can’t smell you. If you are present, they may wonder why they are latching to a bottle instead of you. On the other hand, some people swear by having your partner use your pajamas or something that smells like you next to baby while they feed from the bottle so they CAN smell you. You could try both!

HOW? How do you transition?

It helps to ease into this SLOWLY and gently. Allow baby to play with or suck on just the nipple, detached from the bottle. You can even dip the tip of the nipple into breastmilk to attract baby. Make it a sensory experience, don’t force it! Do it when baby is in a good mood. You might have heard advice to wait until baby is super hungry so they give up waiting for you and just take the bottle. This seems kind of drastic and sad to me… and a distressed baby is actually LESS likely to want to try a bottle. You could actually try the opposite- feed them partially from the breast, and switch to a bottle while they are still hungry but not starving.
Begin by allowing baby to play with the bottle nipple before attaching it to the bottle. Then, when you are ready to feed, stroke baby’s upper lip with the nipple and let them taste/smell it. Wait until they open their mouth wide, and let them latch onto the bottle. Make sure whoever is feeding baby is using paced-bottle feeding, holding the baby at an upright angle and holding the bottle more horizontal, allowing baby to have control over the flow of milk. Be sure to take frequent pauses for baby to burp and digest. Don’t rush it! Watch for baby’s hungry and full cues.

More tips and tricks from professionals I trust:

…But wait, we didn’t even talk about PUMPING!

Ah yes… this is a super common question I get over on Instagram. If you’re nursing… when are you supposed to pump? This depends on personal preference/situations. Some mommas pump once a day, to store a bit of a stash in their freezers. A great time to do this is after your first feed of the morning, when your body is naturally making more milk. Some mommas only pump before leaving baby, or only pump at work. Remember, if you are skipping a feed, you’ll need to pump instead. Regular milk removal is so important in protecting your supply and feeling comfortable, not engorged, when away from baby!

Pumping on my anniversary night away with my husband

Do YOU have any tips to share? Leave them in the comments for other mommas to try!!!

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Tips & Tricks

Multitasking While Pumping

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TIME was the biggest complaint mommas had about pumping in a recent survey I ran titled “Why Pumping Sucks.” It’s true… especially for exclusively pumping mommas, pumping can take A LOT of time out of your day. Even though you are literally MAKING MILK (which is hella productive if you ask me) it can seem like wasted or lost time. Have you felt that way?

So I asked: What’s your favorite way to multitask when you pump?
You gave me SO MANY GREAT ANSWERS!
Below you’ll find multitasking ideas for EVERY pumping momma, no matter whether you have a wearable, hands-free pump or have to remain hands-on the entire time!

Think multitasking is overrated? Scroll alllll the way down to see a message just for you. (And a good reminder for everyone!)

When you’re plugged in:

Some pumps need to remain plugged in, or are large and cumbersome to move around while pumping. Don’t despair! There are still tons of ways to double-dip during pumping time. Since I worked from home during the majority of my maternity leave, I was often working on my computer while pumping. That’s an easy one! Let’s see what else you came up with for pumping while being plugged in:

  • EAT! Eating and drinking were popular answers for each of these categories. It may be the only time you get to actually sit down, so take advantage of that and nourish your body! Your milk supply will thank you!
  • Catch up on paperwork! Sort mail, clip coupons, pay bills, write cards or letters, meal-plan, create to-do lists… those things can pile up for new moms!
  • Take some time for YOU! Meditate or pray, journal, knit/craft, draw/paint… whatever feeds your soul
  • Do your hair or makeup if you’re feeling up to a pump sesh glow-up
  • Sit on the floor and play with your baby! What a great time for tummy time!
  • RELAX! Watch Tv, listen to podcasts, read a book, or scroll instagram, (I hear @pump_momma_pump has a great page!)
  • In desperate need of a recharge? Set a timer and sleep sitting up at the table, leaning forward and resting your head on your folded arms. It works!

Going Mobile:

If your pump is smaller and can be carried around or worn on a clip or lanyard, your pump life just gained A LOT of freedom! Many of these might seem impossible at first, but for many mommas, things get easier with practice. For example, I learned that squatting straight down instead of bending over helped me not spill any milk as I picked up my baby or do simple household chores. I also got really good at sitting on the floor and feeding my baby while pumping. Burping baby while pumping also got easier with practice!
Mommas wearing portable pumps also found that they were able to:

  • All the kitchen chores! Dishes, unloading the dishwasher, cooking…
  • Laundry. Have slightly older kids? Fold laundry as a family, it’s a great learning opportunity and toddlers love to be helpful (even if you might have to refold it later!)
  • Change diapers and care for baby if you have become a multitasking master
  • Catch up on self-care. Hair, make-up, nails… it can all be done while pumping!
  • Go for a walk with your stroller, a light scarf should help you feel a bit more comfortable. Try it and see how you feel!
  • Speaking of covers… there’s no need to hide at events! Throw on a nursing cover or light scarf and enjoy the party. People may be more accepting than you assume, it feels good to be a part of the action!

Using wearables:

Wearable pumps (which I like to call “coconut style” where the motor is located on top of each collection cup) can provide the greatest freedom and multitasking abilities. Some brands are quieter than others, so if your pump motor is a noisy one, all of these might not work for you. I had a very quiet one and enjoyed going to the movies, eating in restaurants, and shopping while pumping… it’s like I had a secret! I felt invincible! (Though I did look a little bit… enhanced… in the chest area, hehe… hello dolly parton!)

  • Work without leaving to pump (This can work well for nurses with 12-hour shifts who pump while charting)
  • Feed, change, and care for baby, Playing with older children
  • Get out and about! Go to restaurants, concerts, go shopping, etc
  • Household chores and tasks
  • Go on a walk
  • Virtually anything and everything!
Image from MomCozy– Save with code: pumpmama

But what if I have to stay hands-on the entire time?

You’re not alone in that. Some mothers need to massage and compress their breasts in order to fully empty. (This could be a flange or pump issue- I recommend setting up a consultation or flange sizing appointment!) Other mothers might be using a hand pump which requires you to manually pump the handle the entire time. (I love them, but I wouldn’t want to use one full-time!) So how can those mommas multitask without being hands-free?

  • Listen to music, an audiobook, or a podcast
  • Watch tv or a movie, or youtube/tiktok if that’s more your thing
  • Talk on the phone using bluetooth/airpods
  • Pray, meditate, or rest your eyes and breathe
  • Talk to your parter or kids. use that time to connect!
  • Watch nature out the window, or watch your children playing
Pump pictured: Medela Harmony Manual Pump SHOP HERE

Why is everyone always trying to make moms multitask?

It really seems that way, doesn’t it?

You don’t have to multitask if you don’t want to- RESTING is essential at times, too! 😊 Your worth is not measured in ounces OR productivity.

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Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)