As a busy parent, you rely on your breast pump every day to provide nourishing breast milk for your baby. To ensure the milk you express is safe and to maintain the longevity of your equipment, following proper cleaning and sanitizing guidelines is non-negotiable.
Here is an easy, step-by-step guide on how to clean your breast pump parts safely and effectively.
Step 1: Immediate Cleaning After Every Pumping Session
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning breast pump parts immediately after each use.
The Quick Clean Routine:
- Hand Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds before touching any pump parts.
- Disassemble: Take apart all pieces that came into contact with your breast milk (flanges, valves, membranes, connectors, bottles/ milk collection kits). Do not submerge the tubing, as milk should never enter the tubing on a closed system breast pump.
- Rinse: Hold all parts under cool, running water to rinse away any remaining breast milk proteins. Note: Using cool water first prevents the milk proteins from “cooking” onto the plastic.
- Wash: Fill a clean wash basin (dedicated only to pump parts and bottles) with warm water and a small amount of dish soap.
- Scrub each part with a clean brush (also dedicated only to feeding equipment).
- Pay extra attention to small areas like the valves and membrane, as milk residue can easily build up there.
- Rinse Again: Rinse the parts under clean running water to remove soap residue.
- Air Dry: Place the cleaned items on a clean, unused drying rack or a clean paper towel. Do not use a dishcloth, as it can harbor germs. Allow the parts to air dry completely before storing them or using them for the next pumping session.
Step 2: Sanitizing (Sterilizing) for Extra Protection
While washing removes germs, sanitizing kills them. Sanitizing is especially important for babies less than three months old, babies born prematurely, or babies with weakened immune systems. Parts need to be sterilised after each wash until baby is 3 months old thensterlizing the parts at least once per day.
Sanitizing Methods:
- Boiling: Place the disinfected parts in a pot of water, bring the water to a boil for five minutes, and then carefully remove the parts using clean tongs.
- Steam Sanitizing: Use a microwave steam bag or an electric steam sterilizer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This is a very convenient way to ensure your breast pump equipment is completely sterile.
- Dishwasher: If your parts are dishwasher-safe, place them on the top rack inside a closed mesh bag. Use the hot water setting and a heated drying cycle (or the sanitize setting, if available).
After sanitizing, place the parts on a clean surface to air dry fully.
Step 3: Clean Storage and Maintenance
Proper storage is the final step in ensuring hygiene for your pumping equipment.
- Dedicated Container: Store your fully dry breast pump parts in a clean, sealed container (like a Tupperware box or a large zip-top bag) dedicated only to your pumping supplies.
- Check Tubing: If you notice condensation or milk inside the breast pump tubing (which should not happen with a closed system pump), stop using it immediately and replace it. Tubing cannot be effectively washed and dried, and moisture can lead to mold growth.
- Regular Replacement: Breast pump accessories wear out! Check the membranes and valves regularly. If they look torn or stretched, they need to be replaced. Worn parts reduce suction, making your pumping session less efficient and negatively impacting your milk supply. Find genuine replacement parts at www.mybreastpump.co.za.