If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you may have noticed that milk sometimes gets into the tubing of your Medela breast pump.
Milk in Medela tubing is a common issue that many moms face when pumping.
The Medela Pump In Style Advanced (PISA), is particularly noted for having this issue.
This can be frustrating since it means you have to clean the tubing and buy new tubes or your pump may stop working altogether.
But why does this happen?
In this blog post, we will discuss why milk gets into the tubing and how to prevent it from happening.
We will also cover some tips for cleaning the tubing if milk does get in it.
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of this page.
Why Does Milk Get In Medela Tubing?
There are a few reasons why milk may get into the tubing of your Medela breast pump.
#1 Your Pump Parts May Be Assembled Incorrectly
Many parts make up a pump, and if any one of them is not assembled correctly, milk can get into the tubing.
This is often caused by incorrect placement of the membrane.
If so, it can lead to a decrease in suction because the membrane is responsible for the suction in the medela breast pump.
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Additionally, milk in the tubing can lead to mold growth, which can be difficult to clean, unsafe for your baby, and may require replacing the tubing entirely.
To avoid these issues, be sure to carefully read the instructions and carefully assemble the pump parts.
If you are unsure about anything, reach out to Medela’s Customer Support for assistance.
With proper care and maintenance, your pump will provide years of trouble-free use.
#2 Leaning Forward Or Not Sitting Back Properly While Pumping
If you’re wondering how milk can get into Medela tubing, it’s quite simple.
When you lean forward while pumping, milk can easily travel back up the tubing and into the pump.
This is especially likely to happen if you’re hunched over your breast pump or not sitting up properly.
You have to sit up straight and hold the pumping apparatus upright too to prevent milk from getting into the Medela tubes.
#3 A Fast Or Strong Let-Down
When you have a fast or strong let-down, milk can get into Medela tubing.
This happens because the milk flows too fast for the pump to keep up with.
This can also occur because the powerful let-down reflex forces milk into the tubing, especially in open system breast pumps like the PISA.
You may also experience a fast letdown if you haven’t expressed it in a while.
If you have a fast or strong let-down, it’s important to be extra vigilant about checking for milk in your tubing after every pumping session.
#4 Membrane Is Sticking Or Not Working Properly
Another reason you may find milk in your Medela tubings is likely because your membrane is sticking to the valve.
The membrane is designed to flap continually during a pumping session to allow suction.
If you notice that it is sticking to the valve instead, this can cause milk to back up into the tubing.
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This can happen for several reasons, including using a higher suction setting which seems to be a problem with the Medela pump in style advanced in particular.
Alternatively, this can occur if the membrane is wet before pumping.
Before pumping, make sure all pumping parts, especially the valve and membrane, are dry.
Another reason is that if the bottle is full to the point where the milk is in contact with the valve and membrane, it will suck up small milk droplets.
#4 Valve/Membrane Is Old And Needs To Be Replaced
It’s generally recommended that you replace your Medela valves every four to six months, and membranes every two to four weeks if you are exclusively pumping.
However, it’s a good idea to inspect your parts more frequently and replace them if you notice any sign of tears, wear, or damage.
While this may seem like a lot, it’s actually not that difficult to do – and it’s well worth the effort since replacing these parts will ensure that your pump continues to work effectively.
If you’re not sure whether your parts need to be replaced, check the user manual for your specific pump model.
You can also contact Medela’s customer service department for more information.
By replacing your parts regularly, you can help ensure that your pump continues to work effectively.
#5 Accidentally Using The Wrong Parts
The Medela Freestyle Flex and MaxFlow parts are designed to be a closed system, meaning that milk shouldn’t be able to get into the tubing.
However, if you interchange parts from the Medela PISA breast pump (which is an open system), milk may be able to get into the tubing of the Pump in Style Advanced.
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Additionally, if you are using an older model of Medela pump (the Pump In Style Advanced), the parts may not fit together correctly with newer models even if they appear compatible.
Medela says “The NEW Pump In Style with MaxFlow breast pump and prior Pump In Style Advanced breast pumps have different tubing designed to optimize their individual performance. Tubing is not compatible between these two pump types”.
#6. Breast Pump’s Battery Doesn’t Have Enough Power
If your breast pump’s battery doesn’t have enough power milk can back up and get into the tubing
To prevent this from happening, make sure to check that your battery is fully charged or get new batteries before using your breast pump.
What To Do If You Find Milk In Your Medela Tube?
Medela tubing replacement parts can be bought from Amazon quickly.
If you notice that milk is getting into your tubing, don’t panic! There are a few things you can do to fix the problem.
First, make sure you stop pumping as soon as this happens. You could be getting milk inside your pump which can damage the motor.
Next, try to figure out what is causing the issue. Use all of the ‘milk in tube’ causes we’ve given above to troubleshoot.
Ideally, you should replace the tubing immediately with a new one. You can buy new Medela tubings here.
However, this may not always be possible. It’s fine to wash the milk from the tubing in such situations.
If you see that milk has gotten into the tubing, it’s important to clean it thoroughly. Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Start by disassembling the pump and taking out the tubing.
- Wash the tubing in hot soapy water and rinse well.
- Medela recommends shooting rubbing alcohol through the tubing. This will get rid of any water or milk stains.
- To dry, spin it around quickly like a lasso.
- Then run your pump with only the tubes attached for 5 – 10 minutes. This will force air into the tubes, allowing them to dry out.
- Once the tubing is dry, reassemble the pump and test it to make sure it’s working properly.
- If you notice any issues, be sure to contact Medela’s customer service department for assistance.
You may also need to replace the pump’s parts – especially the tubing, valves, and membranes. These parts can wear out over time and may need to be replaced every few weeks.
If milk does get into your tubing, make sure you are sitting up when you are pumping so that it doesn’t happen again.
If you think it’s a valve issue, you can buy backflow protectors so it stops happening.
If the problem is water stains, Medela suggests running rubbing alcohol through the tubing and letting it air dry.
You may need to do this process multiple times, but it should eventually get rid of the water spots.
Finally, contact Medela ‘s customer service. They are incredibly helpful.
They will replace the pump for free or send you replacement parts if necessary, as many times as you need within the first year.
They also offer free support and may be able to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Final Thoughts on Milk in Medela Tubing
By following these simple tips, you can prevent milk from getting into your Medela tubing in the future.
You can ensure that your breast pump stays clean and functional and your Medela pump continues to work properly.
If you have any further questions, be sure to check out the Medela website or contact a representative for more assistance.
Happy pumping!