Hi, moms. So I just bought the Medela quick steam clean bags. You are supposed to be able to clean bottles, pacifiers, some pump parts, etc. in the microwave with these bags. I'm confused though...when I opened the package, the directions say to wash parts in warm soapy water and THEN microwave. If I'm supposed to wash everything, then why would I also microwave them?? I thought these were supposed to clean the parts if you are on the go without hot water and dish soap or are in a hurry and need to clean several parts quickly? Has anyone one else used these and can you help me out?
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. I'm still not quite clear on the whole issue however. If anyone has noticed, the outside of the Medela quick clean bags package says "CLEANS AND disinfects, killing up to 99% of bacteria and germs. If that's the case, and this is supposed to take the place of boiling, then why again am I washing the parts first before steaming them?? Would you wash something and then boil it? It seems like the steaming or boiling is going to clean and sterilize too, no germs can live in those temperatures. As long as the milk residue is rinsed first. In any event, with my first child, I never boiled anything except before the first use. I cleaned everything either in the dishwasher or by hand. He is almost 3 and has been sick a grand total of 3 times. I'm just not sure all of that extra boiling and sanitizing is really necessary.
The bags are meant for steam sterilizing. You have to wash the parts/bottles first and then use the bags for sterilization. I use them mostly when my bottles or breast pump parts haven't been washed right away after use and think they need more than soap and water. Not really a time saver, but espec. great to have when travelling and want to sterilize pump/bottle parts.
I always wash all of the pieces with soap and water and then use the medela steam bags. the steam bags sterilize the pieces. hope that helps
Hi A.,
I used the steam bag for both of my daughters. They are basically used to sterilize the bottles, breast pump parts, etc..I even put the pacifiers in them. If you need a quick clean while you are on the go, Medela makes packages of "quick clean" wipes that are great. They require no rinsing at all, however, once you get home you should wash and sterilize the parts. I believe that they recommend sterilizing the parts especially when the baby is very young. Although, I breastfed my second daughter for 14 months and sterilized the breast pump parts (and everything else) up until I stopped breastfeeding completely. Now I still sterilize her bottles and pacifiers. I happen to be a dentist so I guess I am a bit of a sterilization fanatic...LOL! You can also call the Medela hotline and ask them or check out their website. Best of luck to you!
Looks like you've gotten plenty of responses. I just wanted to say that I found them very handy and used them a lot when my dd was little.
Good luck with them!
The bags are to sterilize the parts, not clean them. I used the bags once a week to sterilize all the parts of the bottles and pacifiers. They are not suppose to replace actually cleaning items.
I used those quick clean bags while pumping for both of my sons. I work as a Paramedic and if thats not in the "go", nothing is. Anyway I rinsed the parts first, then used the bags, when I had a little more time in the firehouse I washed the parts then sterilized them. I found that the steam made the stuff dry quickly so i wasn't stuck with wet parts to put back with my pump. Also they can be pricey, but i used the same one well over the 20 recommended time without problem! My whole pumping experience changed when I found out about those bags!
The Medela bags sterilize objects, but they don't necessarily clean all of the residue off. It is important to clean them first and then use the bags to sterilize.
Hi A.,
I used these bags often as well. You do need to rinse the bottles and parts before you put them in the bag. The bag just sterilizes. We really used them before we got a new dishwasher with a sterilizing cycle. Otherwise I just used them when I went on vacation.
Hope this helps.
L.
The idea of the steam bags is for disinfecting the parts, so you want to get the initial debris and dirt off of them. It is the equivalent of boiling. I used it for the pump parts.
They don't clean things, they sanitize them... Work great and are so economical! You don't need to do a fantastic job cleaning either, because you're going to get them beyond clean in the microwave.
Looks like you already got the advice on the bags sterilizing rather than cleaning.
If you need a quick on the go cleaning method when you don't have access to soap and water, Medela makes wipes (like Wets Ones, etc.) that clean and disinfect the breast pump parts. I used them when I had to pump at work and they worked great. They aren't a permanent solution to washing but work well when you don't have access to a sink, soap and water.
They are only to sterilize the parts. You are supposed to also sterilize them like once a week if you are using them every day. They make something else ...a wipe of some kind....to use to clean when you are on the go.
I used these, they are great. They are to sterilize all the parts, after you clean them. Some people sterilize all their bottles and pump parts with one of those big countertop doodads, these bags are an alternative to that (at least for me they were). I found them to be great when we traveled too, and I was washing things with the hotel washcloth or paper towels - after steaming, I felt confident that my parts were really clean.
I would give everything a pretty good rinse and throw it in. I did find that sometimes the bottles still seemed to have a film, so I would actually give them a quick swirl and rinse with the bottle brush before I steamed them.
When I was at home (and had the time) I would put all my parts in the dishwasher. I mainly used the bags at night when I got home from work, so my parts would be ready to throw in the bag for the next day. Also, while at work, I would use the wipes, instead of having to wash my parts in the kitchen sink - and steam them there, and have to deal with strange looks. Worked well for me!
Hope that helps!
Hi A..
I may be in the minority here, but I don't use the bags. I breastfeed my 3 month old and pump every few days. I throw the parts in the dishwasher each time and let them air dry. My friends and family that bf do this and my ped says its fine.
Hi! I used these bags for over a year so I have some experience. I usually rinse out the bottles and wipe the breastpump part and nipple with my finger to get rid of excess dirt and residue. Other than that, I just steam the parts. You are right, it does not make sense to wash and then steam them. Good Luck!
The bags sterilize, it's the alternative to boiling them like they used to do years ago.
The Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags are to sterilize and disinfect the bottles & nipples, pacifiers & cups, etc. For your newborn, these parts should be sterilized before each use. The bags can't wash the parts. And you need to replace your bottle & nipple brushes regularly, too! And be sure to check off each use on the bag with a soft marking pen. They are only good for 20 uses! Enjoy your little lovebug!!!
its supposed to "sanitize" them. Not wash them. You have to at the very least rinse them very well and then put them in the bags to make sure there isn't any germs on them. I used them when I pumped at work. otherwise I would just put everything in the dishwasher and made sure I "sanitized" them in there, too. I hope this helps! :o)
It's so you can sterilize the pump parts and bottles instead of boiling them. I used them when my kids were newborns. They do a good job and take up way less space than an Avent microwave steam sterilizer.
I asked a friend of mine that uses these:
I do, funny I just popped it in the microwave a few minutes ago. You are supposed to use the bags to sterilize the parts-- so I think they want you to wash them first to remove any particles or milk that may have congealed or whatever. As long as there's nothing really on the parts, it's okay to toss them in the bag with at least 2 oz of water and microwave them. That will sterilize them, they're just supposed to be pretty clean before you do that. So I'll do it especially if I've dropped one of the parts and I know it's germy, but not necessarily dirty.
When I pumped, I would at least rinse the parts. I didn't always have hot water or soap. If i was out and about, I always carried a bottle of water with me anyway so i used that.
