Pumping Precautions During COVID-19
We know that motherhood can’t be put on pause and neither can pumping or breastfeeding! So, we’re here to help you feel safe, comfortable, and ready for a great and effective pumping experience with 5 easy precautions to take while pumping during COVID-19!
Step 1: Wash Your Hands
While this is a simple step, it can sometimes be easy to forget! Be sure to wash your hands both before and after pumping. Make sure to use warm water, soap, and dry your hands thoroughly. This is important since you’re handling milk that’s getting ready to be stored as well as your pump parts and we want to be sure to minimize the risk of spreading germs as much as possible.
Step 2: Pump In A Clean Space
A clean place to pump is vital for a safe pumping session. Avoid bathrooms! Pathogens travel through the air so while your pump may be a closed system, your flanges are not, meaning they’re exposed to anything in the atmosphere.
Step 3: Wear a Mask To Reduce Airborne Risks
Wearing your mask is especially important when out in public or around those who have been exposed to COVID-19. Since this is an airborne virus that’s trapped in the back of the sinuses, when people breath out it goes out into the atmosphere and a mask can help reduce your risk of breathing it in.
Step 4: Disassemble, Wash, Sterilize
Be sure to fully disassemble, physically wash, and sterilize all of your breast pump parts except your breast pump tubing (we don’t wash those!). This process needs to be done every 24 hours if you’re refrigerating the parts in between pumping sessions and pump uses.
Step 5: Social Distancing
To practice social distancing, pump at least 6 feet away from other people. Many pumping rooms offer solitude for mothers, but for those that don't, try staggering the timing of your pumping to ensure the safety of both you and your family.
Whether you’ve actually contracted COVID-19 or been exposed or are worried about that exposure, it’s important that you keep pumping and/or breastfeeding. Here’s why: you make antibodies in 6 minutes to acclimate your baby to whatever you’re exposed to in real-time.To all of our pumping and breastfeeding moms, we hope you stay happy and healthy and hope these precautions and tips help you!
