

How frequently should you perform this step in the first place? When determining how often to sterilize breast pump parts, take a look at your feeding schedule. How Often Should You Clean Your Breast Pump?īefore we dive into the specific steps involved in cleaning breast pump equipment, let's take a step back.

Today, we'll walk you through the steps required to sterilize breast pump parts to clear up any confusion and help you get started right away. Yet, with so many components involved in a breast pump, you might not be sure where to start.
#Cleaning spectra pump parts how to
That's why it's important to know how to get it as clean as possible.īy establishing a thorough and consistent washing routine as early as possible, you can help set a healthy foundation for your little one. If you have questions about pumping or safe storage of breast milk, speak with your Methodist Physicians Clinic pediatrician.Every time you use your breast pump, you want to make sure the experience is safe, comfortable, and sanitary for both you and your baby. The oldest milk should always be utilized first.įeeding your baby breast milk can be a lot of work at times, but it is the best thing for your baby. If you have a separate deep freeze, breast milk can be stored in deep freeze for up to 6-12 months.Again, it should be stored at the back of the freezer. Pumped milk may be stored in freezer for 3-6 months.It should be stored in the back of the refrigerator. Pumped milk may be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.Place a cool towel over it to keep it cool. Pumped milk may be stored on the counter for up to six hours.Once milk is expressed, how long is it good for before refrigeration? Do not use the microwave or stove to thaw frozen breast milk. To thaw milk from the freezer, either thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or swirl it in a container of warm water.This milk cannot be used for a later feeding. Once a baby has drank milk from a bottle, the milk has been contaminated by bacteria from baby’s mouth. Clearly label milk with the date it is expressed, and use the oldest milk first.Store milk in clean, screw-top bottles or in sterile breast milk storage bags.Current recommendations on storage for pumped breast milk include: It is also very important to store breast milk safely. They can be sanitized using boiling water, steam or in a dishwasher on a sanitize setting. Sanitize the pump parts, wash basin and bottle brush at least once daily after they have been cleaned. Sanitize the pump for extra germ removal.Once dry, you may store the breast pump in a clean protected area until needed again.Load them into a mesh laundry bag or plastic basket and run with soap in the dishwasher with hot water and a hot, dry, sanitizing cycle. If your breast pump parts are dishwasher safe, you can alternately wash them in the dishwasher. It is important also to scrub with a brush, not just to rinse them off. Use running water and soap to clean the parts that come in contact with breast milk.Have a dedicated cleaning brush that you use only to clean your breast pump parts.The kitchen sink may have germs from other food prep. The CDC does not recommend you use the kitchen sink to clean the pump supplies. Keep a separate wash basin for the breast pump parts.It is generally a good idea to get new tubing and parts prior to each new child. If tubing is moldy, discard and replace immediately.

Following this event, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came out with new recommendations for cleaning breast pumps to prevent infections. The bacteria was traced to mom’s breast pump. CDC recommendationsĮarlier this year, there was a case of a premature infant who contracted a bacteria after drinking breast milk. Germs can grow quickly in breast milk or breast milk residue that remains on pump parts. Young infants are the most susceptible to bacterial infection as their immune systems are immature and not as capable of fighting off infection. Pumping your milk is one way to provide breast milk to your baby, however not properly cleaning breast pumps can mean introducing them to the dangerous bacteria you’re trying to help them fight. It contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.

Providing breast milk is one of the best things you can do for your baby’s health and development.
