How to Clean Electric Breast Pump?

Maintaining proper hygiene while using an electric breast pump is an essential aspect of the breastfeeding journey, as it directly impacts the health and well-being of your baby. A clean breast pump not only safeguards your little one from potential infections but also preserves the quality of expressed breast milk, ensuring it remains a safe and nutritious source of nourishment.

By adhering to the best practices outlined in this guide, you can rest assured that your breast pump remains a safe and hygienic tool for expressing breast milk, contributing to a smooth breastfeeding journey for both you and your little one.

Let’s dive into the details of how to effectively clean and maintain your electric breast pump to ensure the health and happiness of your baby.

Clean vs. Sterile: Understanding the Difference

While the terms “clean” and “sterile” are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two when it comes to breast pump hygiene. Being clean refers to the removal of visible dirt, milk residue, and other contaminants from the pump parts through washing and rinsing. This process helps maintain a hygienic environment for expressing breast milk.

On the other hand, sterilization is a more thorough process that involves killing all microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, on the pump parts. Sterilization can be achieved through methods like boiling water or using sanitizing wipes or solutions specifically designed for this purpose.

We’ll critically look into the importance of cleaning an electric breast pump and how to do it.

Complete Steps to Cleaning an Electric Breast Pump

Maintaining proper hygiene is important when you’re feeding your baby, so it’s equally essential to clean an electric breast pump. Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow:

Preparing for Cleaning

Before you start cleaning to attain a high-quality breast pump, gather all the necessary supplies. You will need dish soap or a baby bottle cleaner, warm water, clean dishcloths or paper towels, a bottle brush or specialized breast pump cleaning brush, and sanitizing wipes or a pot of boiling water for certain parts. Find a clean and well-lit workspace to perform the cleaning process.

Recently, research was conducted that compared different techniques for cleaning and disinfecting breast pumps. It analyzed that cleaning breast pump parts with hot soapy water followed by disinfection with boiling water was the most effective method for completely removing bacteria and minimizing the risk of contamination. This information underlines the importance of using proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques to ensure the safety of expressed breast milk for infants.

Disassembly of Electric Breast Pump

To begin the cleaning process, unplug the breast pump from the power source. Carefully detach and separate all removable parts, including breast shields, bottles, valve membranes, and tubing (if applicable). To ensure you disassemble the pump correctly, always refer to the manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions.

Rinse with Warm Water

Before using soap, rinse each part under warm running water. Make sure to remove all milk residue from every component of the breast pump. Avoid using hot water, as it may cause damage to some parts.

Cleaning with Soap and Water

Use a small amount of dish soap or baby bottle cleaner and a brush to thoroughly clean all the pump parts. Pay special attention to crevices and hard-to-reach areas where milk residue might accumulate. After scrubbing, rinse the parts again with warm water to ensure there are no soap residues left.

Sanitizing the Breast Pump

After cleaning, it’s essential to sanitize and sterilize the breast pump to eliminate any harmful bacteria. You have two options for sanitization:

Option 1: Boiling Water

Place all pump parts in a pot of boiling water and let them boil for 5-10 minutes. Afterward, allow the parts to cool and air dry on a clean towel.

Option 2: Sanitizing Wipes

Use alcohol-based sanitizing wipes to clean the pump parts thoroughly. Let the parts air dry on a clean towel after sanitizing.

A research compared two methods of decontaminating breast pump milk collection kits and concluded that using steam decontamination in a microwavable bag after washing the breast pump kit led to fewer discarded samples of donor human milk (DHM) and reduced contamination with harmful bacteria compared to just washing it. This means that steam decontamination can help ensure safer milk for infants and reduce the need to discard DHM.

Drying and Storage

After sanitization, gently shake off excess water from each part. Place the pump parts on a clean towel and let them air dry completely. Make sure all parts are entirely dry before reassembling and using the breast pump again. Store the breast pump in a clean and dry place to avoid contamination.

Cleaning the Pump Motor

Cleaning the motor unit of the breast pump is essential for its proper functioning. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the motor unit. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the surface of the motor, but avoid using harsh chemicals or immersing the motor unit in water.

Frequency of Cleaning

To maintain the optimal cleanliness of your electric breast pump and ensure the health of your baby, establishing a proper cleaning routine is crucial. Below are the recommended cleaning frequencies and practices for different stages of breast pump usage:

Daily Cleaning After Each Use

After each pumping session, it is essential to clean the breast pump thoroughly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and the accumulation of dried milk residue. Follow these steps for daily cleaning:

  • Disassemble: Carefully disassemble all the detachable parts of the breast pump, including breast shields, bottles, valves, and membranes.
  • Rinse: Rinse all the pump parts under warm running water to remove any visible milk residue.
  • Clean with Soap: Use a small amount of dish soap or baby bottle cleaner and a breast pump cleaning brush to scrub all the parts. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas.
  • Rinse Again: Rinse the parts with warm water to remove any soap residue.
  • Air Dry: Place the cleaned parts on a clean towel to air dry completely before reassembling and storing the pump.

Weekly Deep Cleaning

In addition to daily cleaning, a more thorough deep cleaning is recommended at least once a week. This will help ensure any hidden debris or milk residue is removed. The steps for weekly deep cleaning include:

  • Disassemble: Just like the daily cleaning routine, carefully disassemble all the pump parts.
  • Soak: Fill a basin with warm, soapy water and soak all the pump parts for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Scrub and Rinse: Using the breast pump cleaning brush, scrub each part to remove any stubborn residue. Rinse the parts thoroughly with warm water to remove soap residues.
  • Sanitize: After deep cleaning, sanitize the breast pump parts either by boiling them in water for 5-10 minutes or using alcohol-based sanitizing wipes.
  • Air Dry: Place the sanitized parts on a clean towel to air dry completely before reassembling and storing the pump.

Should I Sterilize the Breast Pump After Each Use?

While regular cleaning of your breast pump after each use is essential, sterilizing the pump parts daily may not always be necessary. The decision to sterilize depends on certain factors related to your baby’s age and health condition. Here are some guidelines to help you determine the appropriate frequency for sterilizing your breast pump:

Electric-Breast-Pump-Working
  • For extra germ removal and added safety, it is recommended to sterilize your breast pump parts at least once daily if your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer).
  • However, for older, healthy babies, daily sterilization of pump parts may not be necessary if you follow a thorough cleaning routine after each use. Carefully washing and rinsing all parts with soap and warm water, and allowing them to air dry completely, can be sufficient for maintaining proper hygiene.
  • It’s worth noting that if you use a dishwasher with a hot water cycle and a heating drying or sanitizing setting, a separate sanitizing step is not required, as the dishwasher will effectively sterilize the pump parts.

Tips for Traveling with a Breast Pump

When traveling with your breast pump, hygiene is of utmost importance. Follow these tips to ensure your pump remains clean and safe:

  • Pack Cleaning Supplies: Bring travel-friendly breast pump cleaning supplies such as sanitizing wipes and a breast pump cleaning brush.
  • Clean After Each Use: Even while traveling, make sure to clean the pump parts thoroughly after each use, following the daily cleaning routine.
  • Carry a Clean Storage Bag: Use a clean and dedicated storage bag to keep all the pump parts together when not in use.
  • Avoid Public Sinks: If possible, avoid using public sinks for cleaning. Instead, use bottled water or bring a small basin to clean the parts.

FAQs

Can I use a breast pump twice before cleaning?

While it’s tempting to reuse breast pump parts without cleaning, it’s recommended to clean them thoroughly after each use to prevent the risk of bacterial contamination. This includes disassembling the pump and using warm soapy water to clean all parts that come in contact with breast milk.

How many times can I use a breast pump without washing?

While some may suggest wiping down pump parts and storing them in the refrigerator between uses, it’s best to wash them after every use to minimize the risk of bacterial growth. Despite common beliefs, studies haven’t shown this method to effectively limit bacterial growth, so it’s safer to wash pump parts after each session.

What happens if you don’t sterilize a breast pump?

If you don’t sterilize your breast pump, harmful bacteria can grow on the pump parts, contaminating breast milk and potentially making your baby sick. Proper cleaning and sanitizing of the pump parts after every use are crucial for your baby’s health and safety.

Should you wash your nipples after pumping?

Washing your nipples before or after pumping isn’t necessary. However, rinsing them a few times a day to remove saliva and applying unscented moisturizer can help prevent dryness and cracking. Avoid using soap, as it can remove natural lubrication. After each feeding, applying a few drops of breast milk can also help keep your nipples moisturized and protected.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper hygiene and following the recommended cleaning practices for your electric breast pump is vital for ensuring the health and safety of your precious little one. By consistently cleaning and sanitizing your pump, you can confidently provide your baby with the nourishing benefits of breast milk without compromising on quality or hygiene.

Remember, a clean breast pump not only safeguards your baby from potential infections but also preserves the integrity of your expressed milk. With proper care and maintenance, your electric breast pump will remain a reliable ally in your breastfeeding endeavors.