#MommyMondays: Pump, Pump It Up!

By Jo Anne

Does anyone else feel the need to clean a little (or a lot) more during this time? Our loved ones are already susceptible to diseases with the lack of immunizations, so I can imagine us mommies are feeling the need to be more diligent about hygiene and sanitizing (on top of everything else we already have to do). 

With that, the next product I recommend applies to both nursing and non-nursing mothers, which is a bottle sterilizer, specifically the Baby Brezza One Step™ Baby Bottle Sterilizer Dryer! 

The Baby Brezza One Step Baby Bottle Sterilizier Dryer

Before quarantine, I was a pumping mother with a bottle-fed baby during the work week. I found this product the most useful especially on my busy weeks and days. Yes, I still had to hand wash my pump parts and bottles, but it was much better than using a microwave sterilizer multiple times or wait a whole day (possibly more) for everything to dry completely.

This product has options to sterilize in just eight minutes, just dry for 30, 45, or 60 minutes, or do both! This does come in handy when there are pump parts or bottles you need and you’re getting ready to leave the house. I did sterilize every day when BJ was first born but eventually, I would sterilize every other day and now, once a week since I’m solely breastfeeding. 

So what about when we travel? This product is obviously non-portable... My suggestion would be to also invest/register in microwave steam bags – any brand will do. But these are convenient and good to have when going out of town for a couple of days or weeks.

Since the Sterilizer Dryer is a sort of massive, I was able to dry all my pump parts and the bottles BJ would use throughout the day in one use. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve had days where I would wash every other day. Coming home after a full workday, feeding and bathing your newborn, and then having to wash my pump parts and bottles would get exhausting. 

This led me to purchase a second set of pump parts so I could have a break from washing pump parts daily. Not exaggerating, I would forget a part at least once a week, so it’s nice have a second set for my fellow breastfeeding mamas. Trust me, every single part for a breast pump is essential and even with one small missing piece, you either can’t pump or will have to hand express and that’s no fun.

Every single part of a breast pump is essential and even with one small missing piece, you either can’t pump or will have to hand express. No bueno!

The Sterilizer Dryer is quite pricier than most sterilizers and drying racks, but I would say the investment is worth it, especially for mothers who have to pump on a daily basis. You can usually find a 15-30% discount on www.babybrezza.com if you keep checking their website, so I wouldn’t purchase until you find a coupon or discount for a reasonable price! I would also recommend purchasing directly through their website or buybuyBABY as Amazon or Target do not usually provide a discount for this item.

And a little side note, this product does require distilled water for the sterilizing process — so just a head’s up for mamas who plan on purchasing! It’s disappointing to receive a product and not be able to use it immediately because you were unaware – I’ve been there! 

Another one of my fellow mommy cousins introduced this to me last time I was out of town. It’s super convenient! This is the OXO Tot On-The-Go Drying Rack with Bottle Brush. It can be purchased at most major stores that sell baby items.

The OXO Tot On-The-Go Drying Rack is perfect for mommy’s on the go!

Thanks for tuning in! Our next Mommy Mondays will feature self-care Mommy products that have worked for me personally postpartum!