Breast Pump Cleaning

Hygiene before, during, and after pumping is crucial to keep the expressed breast milk safe for your baby. That's why we believe it's important to explain step-by-step how to best clean and disinfect your breast pump. Once you've mastered the art of cleaning, it will become second nature. After all, this is about your little one's health. Need some tips and tricks for cleaning your breast pump? Then we have good news, because you can read them in this blog.

Before pumping

Besides cleaning and drying the breast pump parts before and after pumping, it's also important to maintain good hygiene. Therefore, wash your hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds before each pumping session and then dry them thoroughly with a clean towel. You don't need to wash your breasts unless they're covered in a cream or cosmetic product that's not suitable for breastfeeding or pumping. In that case, we do recommend cleaning your breasts before pumping (FDA, 2018).

While pumping

Make sure you're in a room where you can pump in peace, with plenty of privacy, and a comfortable temperature. Make yourself comfortable by sitting comfortably in a comfortable chair or sofa. To maintain the quality of your breast milk, a refrigerator should be available to store the expressed milk at the correct temperature. A tap is also a good idea for washing your hands and cleaning the breast pump after use (FNV, undated).

Cleaning the breast pump

Ideally, wash the pump and all accessories—such as bottles, valves, diaphragms, and breast shields—that have come into contact with your breast or the milk immediately after pumping. We've compiled a cleaning step-by-step plan below to make it simple and easy for you:

  1. Rinse the pump and accessories with tap water (approximately 20°C). This will remove any remaining milk residue.
  2. Afterwards, wash the flask and its parts thoroughly with warm water (approximately 30°C), using dishwashing liquid as well.
  3. Rinse the pump and its components again. Do this for about 15 to 20 seconds. Be careful to remove all soap residue.
  4. Dry the flask and its parts with a clean tea towel, or let them dry in the draining rack.
  5. Do you have a dishwasher? Lucky you, you can skip steps 1 through 3. The hard plastic parts are dishwasher-safe. Tip: place the small parts in the cutlery basket. Note: be sure to rinse the breast pump and let it dry thoroughly.

Note: The pump's tubing should not be cleaned with soap, only with water, and should only be connected to the pump when dry. This will help maintain the pump's quality; moisture can damage it (FDA, 2018).

Disinfecting the breast pump

Don't panic, but you're not done yet. It's important to disinfect the parts daily, in addition to washing them. Every pump is different, so read the instructions carefully to ensure you follow the manufacturer's recommended method. Chances are you'll use one of the following methods:

  • Boiling – Place all ingredients in a large pot with plenty of water. Bring to a boil and cook for a maximum of five minutes. Ensure all ingredients are submerged in water. Do not allow any ingredients to rest against the sides of the pot, and be sure to supervise them at all times.
  • Microwave – often you need to place the parts in a special disinfection bag or manhole cover.
  • Steaming – Do you have an electric steam sterilizer? Place the components in the steam sterilizer with the opening facing down.
  • Sterilizing solution or tablets – these must be diluted with water and the parts immersed in the solution for at least 30 minutes. Discard the solution after use.

Let the parts air out for about five minutes. Once cooled, you can store the parts in a clean, dry place or under a clean tea towel. Ensure the parts are completely dry before using the pump, as this can damage the pump. Again, consult the instructions for the best disinfection method for your breast pump.

How often should you clean the breast pump?

You should clean your breast pump at least once a day. Sterilize all pump parts that come into contact with milk daily until your baby is six months old. After six months, once a week is sufficient. If you keep the parts wet in the refrigerator during the day between pumping sessions, you won't need to wash them. Warm the parts briefly under running water before use (La Leche League, 2009).

This is the only way to guarantee the quality of your breast pump and ensure that the breast milk is safe and can be stored safely for your baby. Do you have any helpful tips for cleaning your breast pump that you'd like to share with our NutureGoods community? Let us know in the comments.

Sources:

FDA. (2018, February 4). Using a Breast Pump . US Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-pumps/using-breast-pump

FNV. (n.d.). Breastfeeding and pumping at work – FNV. Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.fnv.nl/werk-income/zwanger-ouderschap/borstvoeding-en-kolven-op-je-werk
Breastfeeding Handbook. Breastfeeding organization. Veltman Publishers 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2022

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