https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:33:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2841006 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 08:50:04 +0000 Sams Mom 2841006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So a couple of mine are top loaders if you still need them at anytime after trying all the recs, just let me know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840978 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 01:15:07 +0000 lilyofthewest 2840978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I think the other suggestions for preventing milk from getting in the tubing are spot on. As far as cleaning, if you can rinse them with soapy water pretty quickly after it happens and then run rubbing alcohol through them, you're good. If they've sat and dried, you may need to replace. Like desertdreams88 said, you might be able to get replacement tubing through your insurance. If not, I've been happy with the Maymom and NeneSupply branded cheaper replacements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840940 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 19:07:10 +0000 DesertDreams88 2840940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got top-loader Medela pump parts through my Aeroflow breast pump purchase (the free one through insurance.) Because of the new CDC guidelines, you can order new pump parts through your medical supplier every 3 months. Aeroflow actually contacted me to do this and it was so simple. Each time they were top loaders. I don't know who you ordered your pump through, but it's worth checking. Also, each set of parts came with 2 bottles, caps, and new tubing. </p> <p>I run my tubing for an extra minute afterward like @LBee: said. I also disconnect the tubes from the parts and let them pump air for 30-60 seconds if I notice condensation during a pumping session. </p> <p>You can disinfect tubing by putting rubbing alcohol in them, I think it is, and whipping them around with your hands.... I know it sounds silly but it works!</p> <p>Through 1.5 years of pumping with 2 pumps and 2 babies, I have always had *some* condensation sometimes, but it always resolved with the aforementioned steps. I used a large rotation of valves &amp; membranes, and duckbills. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840903 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 15:24:25 +0000 kiddosc 2840903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I'd put money down that it's your valves. Especially since Medela doesn't make those valves and they probably don't fit exactly right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840879 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:02:43 +0000 agold 2840879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: I would totally try a new one but am suddenly on a new tight budge (new house problem :bummed: ) so I cannot justify buying a new pump when I already have three. Ugh. This is really such a disgusting problem to have. It seems like washing the tubing will be a hassle. I really haven't looked in to it. But I'm already washing so much stuff every day and night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840878 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:59:05 +0000 pachamama 2840878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: A shot in the dark but can you try a new pump like the Spectra 2? It has a different system so that this common problem Medela has doesn't happen (closed system I think?) Your insurance should give you a new one every 18 months. I've heard really good things about the Spectra and all my colleagues used with with good (exclusive pumping!) results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840874 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:49:52 +0000 agold 2840874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: This is a great idea! Thank you. I will try this. So I actually started using these "duck bill" type valves after someone on HB suggested it. Maybe this is the problem! I like the duck bill valves because its one piece as opposed to two. But I will try the old way and see if that fixes the problem. Thank you for this suggestion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840867 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:23:58 +0000 kiddosc 2840867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried replacing your white valves? I feel like this is likely to be more of a backflow problem. I would replace the white valves and make sure the yellow part of the valve is well seated. None of my flanges had the tubing plug into the top and I never had problems with milk getting into the tubes pumping over a year for two kids. Are you having this problem with more than one of your pumps? That leads me to believe it's a small part problem over a pump problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840866 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:18:56 +0000 agold 2840866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Yes, the top connecting part is what i'm looking for. You are so sweet to look at home. I could venmo you, also!</p> <p>@LBee: yes, I do run my pump with the tubes and nothing else attached for quite a few minutes afterwards. Not 10 minutes, though. I usually like to do all this with my office door closed. So staying closed up for an additional 10+ minutes makes me self-conscious about all of this. But I suppose I can try to run it for a long time afterwards. Ugh. </p> <p>@Becky: I agree that milk shouldn't be getting in. I never had this problem while pumping for my first girl like less than a year ago. I did get a new pump this time. I actually have 3 pumps I use! One at home, one in the car and one at my office. I have emailed Medela about this issue, so I wil see what they say in response. I worry that it's because maybe my two-time nursing boobs are hanging a tad lower this time around. (hand in face emoji) OMG. That's terrible all around. I really don't know why else I am having this problem! :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840864 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:13:34 +0000 Becky 2840864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Milk shouldn’t be getting into the tubing. Give them a call and they will likely replace the parts of your pump isn’t very old. Also, is there a reason you didn’t get a new pump this time? I didn’t want to with my second baby just because my Medela was still working and I hate to contribute to landfills. I ended up needing to get a new one 5 months in and it was thankfully still covered (I think it’s within a year of giving birth but could be wrong).BUT it was so stressful because all of a sudden the Medela wasn’t working and it was the day before I was going to be away for 3 nights. I had to rush to an approved supplier the next town over during rush hour. Edit: I was assuming you were using the same pump as previous baby but realize I could have read that wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840859 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:09:39 +0000 LBee 2840859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you running your pump for 10 minutes after you are done pumping? You run it with just nothing attached but the tubing to deal with the condensation issue. You can really do it for like 60 seconds, but I usually let it run longer. </p> <p>I have both top and back loading tubing and haven't had that problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840855 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:59:45 +0000 Sams Mom 2840855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think mine plug into the top of the valve like the one in the picture (but I had a Pump in Style) </p> [attach=8928/18/pdtonl.475x300.pump-valve.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840852 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:57:23 +0000 Sams Mom 2840852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think mine are top loading (I haven't pumped in 18+ months), I'll look when I get home and if they are what I think they are I can just mail them to you if you e-mail me the shipping label. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/medela-pump-parts-problem#post-2840850 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:54:42 +0000 agold 2840850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm back at it again with pumping round the clock for my second baby now that I'm back at work and I'm having a huge problem I didn't have before! Milk and moisture is going into the tubing! This is disgusting and the tubes are pretty darn expensive to be replacing constantly. </p> <p>I think the problem is with the the "connectors" that require the tubing to be placed into the back, as opposed to the top. I cannot find any "top-loading" connectors on the internet to purchase. So my questions are this: do any of you girls have this problem with milk/moisture/mold in the tubing? How do you prevent it? Do you wash your tubing? Lastly, does anyone have any top-loading connectors that I can buy from them??? </p>