https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:50:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526709 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 10:53:49 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2526709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: you will know if milk is bad. It sours and you can tell it smells funny. For what its worth I never ever sterilized my pump parts and never had milk spoil (I only know what happens from a camping trip with no refrigeration haha ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526699 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 10:26:14 +0000 DesertDreams88 2526699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okie doke, I will do A :) thanks for the input, didn't want to under- or over-react. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526664 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 09:36:22 +0000 Pollywog 2526664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely do A.</p> <p>In talking to my OB about pumping (her baby is 6 weeks older than mine), she suggested that I wash the pump parts every day, but there's really no point in sanitizing for a healthy, full term baby. And rinsing gets out 99% of the milk, so I really wouldn't worry about it. The rest would have been killed while sanitizing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526601 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 07:19:44 +0000 pachamama 2526601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes I guess I don't follow the rules very well. I've only sanitize like 2 times and my son is 3 months! I rinse all the pumping equipment and put them in the dishwasher every once in awhile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526506 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:55:38 +0000 travellingbee 2526506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: definitely a- they've been sanitized. They're fine. You've killed te germs. I wash with soap most of the time, but don't bother sometimes. Sometimes just rinse the milk out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526431 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:58:53 +0000 MamaCate 2526431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: definitely a!</p> <p>Since I had a healthy full term baby, I was/am pretty relaxed about milk and pumping stuff. I do not wash pump parts between pumps at work because it seems like a huge waste of time, I leave the milk in the cooler back from 2:30 on instead of putting back in the fridge and I am flexible about how old milk can be. No problems so far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526429 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:56:16 +0000 MrsSRS 2526429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Definitely A. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526418 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:35:43 +0000 simplyfelicity 2526418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: You are such a teacher. :wink: I would do A. I think the bigger issue is proper storage, IMHO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526384 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:34:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2526384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So today I pumped with parts that had been dishwasher washed, then used &amp; refrigerated on Tuesday, then rinsed and sanitized Tuesday night (I think.... I possibly used the dishwasher, not sure). Since Tuesday night they air dried and sat in room temp room. No visible milk. I separated the valves and membranes in the bag.</p> <p>With the milk I pumped today, do you think I should:<br /> A) Relax and pack it for Monday.<br /> B) Feed it over the weekend (before bacteria has much time to grow....?), pump over the weekend for daycare on Monday.<br /> C) Freeze it and serve it later when he's older, in small quantities....?<br /> D) Dump it because who knows? We're talking about 18 oz here.... :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526274 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:34:37 +0000 gingerbebe 2526274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: yes! I thought I was nuts but I saw a blog that mentioned the steaming thing and I bought new parts on a whim to see if that was it and sure enough the suction was way better. Chuck them and start over (seriously, DH accidentally mixed up the old and new parts and we could never figure out which set was which and I had to throw out both and buy a 3rd set!!!!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526232 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:01:55 +0000 MrsBrewer 2526232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Ugh no way! You mean the clear piece that attaches to the back that you click the tubing into? I've sanitized those before, and I've noticed my suction has definitely changed, but i had no idea why! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526229 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:56:00 +0000 gingerbebe 2526229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you use the Medela Freestyle do not steam the plastic parts that clip around the membrane (the round parts - it makes them warp and the suction goes to hell. After that happened I only steamed the tubing and rubber membranes themselves. FYI! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526221 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:50:16 +0000 BSB 2526221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, the bags just sanitize. You should wash them before you use the bags or else you're just caking on the milk or formula when it steams. </p> <p>It's supposed to be an alternative to using those plastic sterilizing containers or sterilizing equipment. When I was in the nicu and until they were full term, it was a quick and easy way to sanitize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526211 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:43:48 +0000 babypugs 2526211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oops. I just rinsed and then used the steam bags/microwave steamer once a day then ran it all through the dishwasher a couple of times a week. Never had any problems, but I guess I was doing it wrong too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526203 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:36:23 +0000 snowjewelz 2526203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I think some people just choose to always sanitize on top of washing, so this is just an easier option when you are not able to boil. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526196 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:31:50 +0000 simplyfelicity 2526196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Since soap and water cleans while the bags sanitize, I definitely think there is some overlap. I rinse and sanitize every day and then wash (and then sanitize) once a week. I think soap should be used regularly but not necessarily every time. Everyone has a different method, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-steam-bags#post-2526189 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:28:37 +0000 DesertDreams88 2526189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just noticed that before using micro steam bags, you're supposed to wash all of the parts in warm soapy water... Oops! Didn't see that step before! I thought the whole point of these bags was to make it super easy. If you're going to wash and warm soapy water anyway, then why bother using the bags...? (Unless you have a preemie or immunocompromised baby)</p> <p>Anyway, the few times I've used them, I just rinsed the parts, and then steamed them. No soap involved..... not a regular practice, but yeah. What do you think?</p> <p>*my parts are refrigerated between pumps and usually washed in the dishwasher. </p>