Guidelines To Cleaning Your Breast Pump

Please note that these instructions are intended as general guidelines for cleaning and sterilizing a breast pump and are not intended to replace specific breast pump cleaning and sterilizing instructions from your breast pump's manufacturer. Always review the manufacturer's specific breast pump cleaning and sterilization instructions prior to first using your new breast pump.

Step 1: Sterilize Breast Pump Before Using

Unless your breat pump parts came in a sterile package, all pump parts that will come in contact with your breast or milk should be sterilized or disinfected before the first use. Parts that do not come into contact with your breast or milk do not need sterilization. Sterilizing breast pump parts can be done in a number of ways:

• Boiling Water - Boil separated breast pump parts in boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Dishwasher - Run separated breast pump parts on the top rack through dishwasher cycle {note - use only dishwashers with specific cycle designed for sterilizing (disinfecting) at high temperatures of 140 degrees or highter for a sustained period of time).
in boiling water for 10-20 minutes.
• Electrical Steam Sterilizing (Disinfecting) Units - Electric Steam sterilizers do provide a faster, more convenient method of sterilizing breastpump parts; however, some pump manufacturers do not recommend this route of sterilization and will not guarantee their pump parts if sterilized in this way.
• Microwave Steam Sterilizing (Disinfecting)Units - Microwave Sterilizers also provide a faster, more convenient method of sterilizing breastpump parts; however, some pump manufacturers (including Medela) do not recommend this route of sterilization and will not guarantee their pump parts if sterilized in this way.

Note: If you or your baby are being treated for thrush, daily boiling of all breast pump parts that come in contact with breast or milk is highly recommended.

Step 2: Routine Cleaning of Breast Pumps

After each use, thoroughly wash these same breast pump parts in hot, soapy water - a mild detergent is often recommended for breast pump cleaning. Rinse the breast pump parts well, to assure that no soap residue remains on the breast pump pieces (soap residue in breast pump pieces can lead to melting and/or blistering when placed in a Microwave Sterilizer).

Allow the best pump parts to airdry, or dry them with a clean paper towel if a faster drying time is necessary. Do not use abrasive clothes, bottlebrushes or any abrasive products or chemicals as these can cause scratches in the plastic of the breast pump pieces. Tiny scratches can in turn lead to areas of the breast pump that become difficult to clean and thus can harbor bacteria.

Every third to fourth use - or at the end of a work day - sterilize these parts again.

To assure that your breast pump is easily cleaned, we recommended washing the breast pump pieces immediately after each use. If immediate washing of breat pump pieces must be delayed, then you should risne the breast pump parts immediately after breast pumping with warm tap water. This will help ensure a thorough cleaning later. Also, it is recommended that you thoroughly wash and sterilize the previously rinsed breast pump prior to your next bereast pumping session.

Step 3: Breast Pumps - General Care

• Always maintain the breast pump and pieces used for milk collection in good working order.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for cleaning breast pump equipment.
• Remember to take breast pump pieces apart for individual cleaning.
• Between uses, store your breast pump kit in a clean area or clean plastic zip type bag.

• Choosing A Breast Pump
• Using a Breast Pump
• Breast Pumping Tips