How to Clean and Sterilize the Breast Pump

Regularly washing and sanitizing your breast pump can help protect your baby from the germs that linger on the pump parts.

Furthermore, it guarantees a healthy and safe pumping experience for both the mother and baby. Hence it is super important to clean and sterilize the breast pump.

If you do not know how to clean your pump the right way, here we are with a set of guidelines for proper cleaning. Follow these steps mentioned below to learn when and how to clean and disinfect the breast pump parts.

Let us first try to know what CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has to say about sterilizing breast pumps.

Updated CDC Breast Pump Cleaning Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recently came up with updated guidelines for keeping the breast pump kit clean.

Let us have a look at those necessary guidelines below:

• Before you start using the breast pump or touching it, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• After you finish pumping the breast milk, disassemble your pump kit. Separate all the parts that came in contact with the breast/breast milk like the tubing, bottles, etc.
• Use a disinfecting wipe for cleaning the buttons, switches, etc., on the pump motor.
• Fill a bucket or tub with hot water and add some soap to it. Now scrub and rinse each individual part in it separately. 
• Now dry all these parts on a clean paper towel or fresh towel.

How to Clean and Sterilize the Breast Pump?

Let us discuss in detail how to clean the breast pump equipment. Follow the below step-by-step process for better understanding:

1. Read The Instruction Manual

Every breast pump comes with a user manual that provides specific information about cleaning. It also explains the manufacturer-recommended methods of cleaning. Read the instructions carefully before cleaning a breast pump. 

2. Rinse Each Part Of The Pump Kit After Use

As a part of the cleaning process, make sure you rinse every piece of the pumping kit that comes in contact with the breast milk. Clean the residues of breast milk left on the portions of the equipment using cool water. This removes any germs or bacteria sitting on them and prevents the risk of infection.

3. Cleaning Breast Pump

Follow any of the below methods to clean all the parts of the pump immediately after use. You can either use soap and water or put the pump kit in a dishwasher for cleaning.

Method 1: Wash With Soap And Water

• Use a wash basin: Use a washbasin that is exclusively for washing the breast pump equipment. Now put all the pump parts in this basin. Make sure you don’t use a sink or place all the items directly in it as it can contaminate the pump.
• Add soap and water: After placing all the parts in the washbasin, fill it with hot water and add some soap to it.
• Scrub: Scrub each item of the pump kit individually as mentioned in the manufacturer’s guidance. If want to use a brush for cleaning the parts, make sure you use one that is explicitly for this purpose.
• Rinse: Rinse each item by holding it under running water. You can also take a basin dedicated to cleaning infant items, fill it with fresh water and submerge the pump parts in it.
• Dry: After rinsing all the parts thoroughly, allow them to air-dry by placing them on a clean paper towel or fresh towel. Never use a dish towel to dry the items, as it may facilitate the transfer of germs to the parts.

Method 2: Using Dishwasher

As discussed earlier, some breast pump kits are dishwasher safe, which means you can put the parts in the dishwasher for cleaning. However, it suggestible to check the manual to know whether the model is dishwasher safe or not. Follow the steps below:

• Place all the parts of the equipment in the top rack of your dishwasher. 
• You can always put the small parts of the pump kit directly in the cutlery section. 
• Ensure that you are placing the milk bottles, breast shields, and teats downward facing. Once you finish placing all the items, customize the settings to hot water and sanitizing. You can now run the machine that washes all the parts and kills germs if any. 
• Before you remove the parts from the dishwasher, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 
• After removing the items, if you notice they are still wet, place them on an un-used clean paper towel or fresh towel.
• Allow them to completely dry before storing the kit.

Method 3: Breast Pump Cleaning Wipes

The other method for cleaning your breast pump is by using breast pump wipes. These wipes are a convenient option that can come to your rescue when you do not have access to basic things like water, soap, etc. 

Use these wipes to quickly clean the parts of the pump by gently wiping away the breast milk on them. 

However, do not forget to clean the equipment well once you reach home. Are you wondering where to purchase these wipes! They are available online and also in baby stores. You can either order them online or buy them directly based on your feasibility.

4. Sanitizing Breast Pump

The next part of the cleaning process is sanitizing the breast pump. You may regularly wash the equipment immediately after each use. However, you will have to sanitize all the items and accessories of your breast pump at least once a day immediately after washing them.

Let us look at the different methods for sterilizing the breast pump.

Method 1 – Boiling Method

To sterilize the equipment, follow the steps below:

• Take a pot and fill it with water.
• Submerge all the parts of the pump kit in this pot.
• Allow the water to boil for some time. 
• Let the items sit in the boiling water for about 10 minutes. 
• Allow the water to cool down before removing the parts from it.
• Make sure you use only thongs to remove the parts from the water.

Method 2 – Microwave The Parts

You can also use a microwave to sterilize the breast pump kit. Let us have a look at the step-by-step process:

• Take a microwavable sanitizing bag or a microwave sterilizer.
• Place all the parts of the equipment in the bag or sterilizer.
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to microwave the items.

Although the microwave sterilization process is not FDA-approved, they will sanitize your breast pump items so that they are clean and you can use them again. 

Method 3 – Electric Sterilizer

If you do not want to use a microwave sterilizer, you can opt for an electric steam sterilizer that uses steam to sanitize the breast pump kit.

• Take a sterilizer and plug it in.
• Put the breast pump parts in the basin of the device.
• Close the lid of the basin, and switch on the sterilizer.

Method 4 – Sterilizing fluid or tablets

Some people may choose sterilizing fluids or tablets for sanitizing the breast pump equipment. 

• Take a cold-water sterilizer unit. 
• Fill it with water to a certain level, as mentioned in the manufacturer instructions.
• Now add a sterilizing tablet or fluid. (Please refer to the user manual for the quantity.)
• Now, add the items to the sterilizing solution and see to it that they get covered in it.
• Close the lid, and allow them to sit in the solution for about 30 minutes.
• After that, the kit is all ready to use.

If you do not want to try any of these sterilizing methods, you can use a sanitizing spray as an alternate solution.

5. After Sanitising

Now that you finished sanitizing the breast pump kit, allow all the parts of the equipment to dry thoroughly before you start using them again. Follow the below steps to dry them completely:

• As mentioned earlier, use only clean thongs to remove the parts from the sterilizer or the steam container. You can also remove them with your hands, but make sure you wash them clean before touching the breast pump items.
• After removing them, shake off any excess water on the parts.
• Now, allow all the parts to air-dry by placing them on a clean paper towel or fresh towel. 
• After drying the pump items completely, place them on a sanitized surface, or you can even store them in a sanitized storage container.

6. Wipe Down the Outside Of The Pump

It is equally important to wipe the outside of the breast pump after each use. Make sure you use a paper towel or cloth for this purpose. 

If you are using an electric breast pump, ensure that you are not placing it in the water or you are not using a microwave sterilizer for sanitizing. This could damage the motor of the pump.

7. Store Your Pump Properly

After you finish the process of cleaning and sanitizing your breast pump kit, reassemble it properly before storing it. Always store the equipment in a clean and sanitized storage container with a secure top that is exclusive for this purpose. Placing the kit directly in a dusty closet or drawer can expose it to germs.

How To Clean Breast Pump Tubing?

One should know how to use breast pump tubing correctly. When using, it should not touch the pumped milk. Also, it does not require routine cleaning. 

However, the frequency of cleaning the breast pump tubing is entirely dependent on the model, i.e., whether it is an open or closed system.

The breast pumps with a closed system have a backflow protector that prevents the milk from overflowing and entering into the pump. 

The breast pumps with an open system do not have any barrier, as such, to stop the breast milk from flowing into the tubing during a pumping session. Hence, you will have to clean the tube and dry it completely to prevent condensation in it. 

To clean the system, you have to first disconnect the tubing from the pump kit. But, see to it that it remains attached to the pump. After removing, keep running the pump until the tubing becomes dry.

Once the tubing is dry, wipe the outer surface of the tubing using a damp cloth or a disinfectant wipe.

If you still notice milk or mould in the tubing, discard it immediately, because it becomes a tough task to clean the tubing. Instead, replace it with a new one and check for the below:

• See if you need to replace the valves or membranes, as well.
• Ensure the proper attachment of the tubing to the pump. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

Washing your breast pumping equipment after each use, and sanitizing it thoroughly is extremely important to keep your baby healthy and safe. However, you will have to do it at least once a day.

Though it looks like a time-consuming task, you will get the hang of it once you start doing it regularly.

Protect the newest member of your family from getting sick by following the instructions mentioned in this article. If you need more information, do not forget to write to us in the comments section below.