Using a breast pump is an essential part of many new mothers’ breastfeeding journeys. It allows moms to express and store breast milk when they are away from their babies. However, proper cleaning and sanitizing of the breast pump parts after each use is critical to prevent the growth of bacteria and ensure the health of mom and baby.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is no, you should not use your breast pump twice before washing. Best practice is to wash and sanitize all pump parts that come into contact with breast milk after each use. Reusing pump parts without proper cleaning puts you at risk of infections and exposes your expressed milk to contaminants.
Overview of Breast Pump Cleaning Recommendations
Here is an overview of the key breast pump cleaning guidelines from health organizations:
- Wash hands before handling pump and bottle parts
- Rinse pump parts in cold water to remove residue after each use
- Wash all parts that come into contact with breast milk in hot, soapy water after each use
- Sanitize pump parts daily – either by boiling, using a dishwasher, or with chemical sanitizers
- Air dry all pump parts fully before reassembling
- Store clean, dried parts in a clean bag or container between uses
Why You Should Not Reuse Breast Pump Parts
There are several important reasons why reusing breast pump parts before cleaning is not recommended:
Risk of Infection
Milk residue left on breast pump parts can allow bacteria like Staphylococcus, yeast, and mold to quickly grow. Reusing contaminated pump parts can introduce these pathogens into your milk ducts or your expressed breast milk, leading to infections like mastitis, thrush, or milk spoilage.
Impacts Milk Quality
Residue film on pump parts may also affect the amount of milk that can be expressed or pumped. For efficient pumping and maximum milk flow, all pump parts must be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
Exposes Milk to Contaminants
Milk fats left on pump parts from a previous pumping session can oxidize or spoil. Reusing dirty pump parts essentially exposes your freshly pumped milk to contaminants from the previous session.
Difficult to Sanitize
If pump parts are not rinsed or washed right after pumping, the milk residue can dry on the equipment and be very difficult to remove later. Proper sanitization becomes challenging if organic matter is stuck on pump parts.
CDC Guidelines for Cleaning Breast Pumps
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following best practice guidelines for cleaning breast pumps:
After Each Use
- Take apart breast pump parts that come into contact with milk
- Rinse in cold water to remove milk residue
- Wash thoroughly with hot soapy water
- Rinse soaked parts with hot water
- Air dry fully on a clean dish towel or paper towel
At Least Daily
- Sanitize pump parts by boiling, steaming, or using a dishwasher
- You can also sanitize using bleach, vinegar, or other chemical sanitizers
- Rinse sanitized parts with hot water before use
Safety Tips
- Always wash hands before handling pump and bottles
- Prevent mold by storing parts in a clean covered container after drying
- Inspect equipment regularly and discard if cracked or damaged
How to Sanitize Breast Pump Parts
In addition to regular washing, sanitizing your breast pump parts helps kill any lingering germs or bacteria.
Here are some easy methods to sanitize pump parts and bottles:
Boiling
Place pump parts in a pot with water. Boil for 10 minutes. Allow to air dry fully on a clean towel.
Steam Sterilizers
Use an electric steam sterilizer following manufacturer’s instructions. Steam for the recommended time.
Dishwasher
Place pump parts on top rack of dishwasher. Run a full cycle using hot water and dishwasher safe detergent. No need for high heat drying.
Bleach Solution
Soak pump parts for 15-30 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach per 1 gallon of water. Rinse thoroughly with hot water before use.
Vinegar Solution
Mix together 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts hot water. Soak pump parts for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with hot water before use.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Submerge pump parts in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for 5 minutes. No need to rinse after soaking.
UV Light Sterilizers
Use a UV sanitizing bag or box following manufacturer’s instructions. Typically involves drying parts first and placing in bag for a short UV disinfection cycle.
Storing Breast Pump Parts Between Uses
To prevent mold or bacterial growth, always store your cleaned pump parts in a clean covered container:
- Pump kit storage bags
- Closed containers or bags
- Covered baskets or bins
- You can use a clean towel but ensure it is fully covered
Do not store damp or wet pump parts between uses. Make sure all parts are completely dry before storing to prevent mold.
Cleaning Breast Pump Tubing
For cleaning the breast pump tubing and connectors:
- Rinse tubing with hot water after each use
- Wash with hot soapy water and rinse at least once daily
- Sanitize by running a bleach solution through the tubing
- Hang to dry with both ends open to avoid moisture build up
- Replace tubing every 3 months or according to manufacturer
Cleaning Pump Dials and Power Units
To clean the pump dials, power units and other exterior surfaces:
- Wipe surfaces with microfiber cloth soaked in soapy hot water
- Never submerge the electric pump motor in water
- Disinfect pump unit by wiping down with 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Spot clean any milk residue using rubbing alcohol
- Check manufacturer guidelines for cleaning specifics
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Always wash hands before handling pump parts
- Clean and sanitize after every use – no exceptions!
- Hot, soapy water removes residue; sanitizing kills germs
- Ensure equipment is fully dry before reassembling and storing
- Replace damaged or cracked pump parts
- Deep clean all pump parts at least daily
Benefits of Proper Pump Hygiene
Following recommended pump cleaning guidelines provides many benefits for mom and baby:
- Prevents infections like mastitis, thrush, stomach bugs
- Maintains efficient milk expression and supply
- Ensures expressed milk is not contaminated
- Prolongs life and quality of breast pump equipment
- Provides reassurance about your baby’s health and safety
The minor effort of washing pump parts properly after each use is well worth it to protect your breastfeeding relationship and keep your baby healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just rinse my pump parts instead of washing?
No, rinsing alone is not sufficient. All parts that contact breast milk must be washed with hot, soapy water after each use to remove residue and milk fats where bacteria can grow.
How long can breast milk sit out before it goes bad?
Freshly expressed breast milk is good for:
- Up to 4 hours at room temperature
- Up to 3 days in the refrigerator
- 6-12 months in a freezer
Using clean pump parts helps prevent milk from being contaminated or spoiled.
Can I wash my pump parts in the morning and reuse all day?
Washing just once daily is not enough. Used pump parts will still have milk residue where bacteria can multiply quickly. All parts must be washed after each individual use for proper hygiene.
What if I don’t have time to wash pump parts at work?
Come prepared with extra pump part kits, bottles, and milk storage bags. This allows you to use fresh, clean setups for each pumping session without needing to wash parts at work between uses.
How do I clean a closed system breast pump?
For closed system pumps, clean exterior tubes and valves with hot soapy water or disinfectant wipes. Replace internal tubing regularly. Other parts like shields, bottles, and lids must still be washed after each use.
Conclusion
Maintaining proper hygiene practices for your breast pump equipment should be a top priority. Washing and sanitizing parts that contact breast milk after every use reduces infection risks and ensures your expressed milk stays safe for your baby.
While it may take a little extra effort to clean as recommended after each pumping session, forming this habit is vital for the health of your breasts, your milk supply, and most importantly – your precious little one relying on your milk.