Now that you have chosen the perfect breast pump for your needs, it’s important to know how to clean your hands-free breast pump properly. Without proper cleaning and sterilization, bacteria can build up in your breast pump parts, leading to potential health risks for both you and your baby. A breast pump that is not properly cared for, can lose some of its efficiency. This can lead to a decrease in milk supply. Let’s break down the best ways to keep your breast pump clean and safe for use.
Cleaning the Parts of Your Breast Pump
First things first, you will want to make sure that all of the parts of your breast pump are cleaned properly after each use. This includes all detachable parts like tubing, flanges, valves, membranes, bottles, and other components that are found in your pump kit. Here is what you should do:
- The first step in cleaning your breast pump is disassembling all of the parts. Take apart every piece of the pump and make sure that each part is clearly labeled so you know how they go back together when you are finished.
- Once disassembled, rinse off each piece with warm water immediately after each use and use a soft brush (or an old toothbrush) to remove any stuck-on food or milk particles. This will help get rid of any milk or formula residue left behind on the parts.
- Using mild soap such as dish soap or washing-up liquid, thoroughly scrub all the surfaces on each part with a soft cloth or soft sponge. Make sure that no soap residue remains on any surface as this could contaminate the milk later on when fed to your baby. For particularly stubborn bits, try soaking in warm water with a bit of mild detergent for about 15 minutes before rinsing again with warm water.
- Rinse off all the parts with warm water again until all traces of soap are gone. It is important to ensure that every part is thoroughly rinsed so no soap residue remains when feeding your baby.
- Lastly, lay the clean pieces out to dry on a clean soft cloth ready for reassembling when you need them again!
- For extra hygiene protection, consider boiling some of the parts (as instructed by the manufacturer). Be sure to read up on the directions provided by manufacturers before taking this step as not all products can be safely boiled due to sensitive components which could be damaged in this process.
Storing Your Breast Pump Parts Properly
Once you have finished cleaning and sterilizing your breast pump parts they must be stored away properly to avoid contamination from dirt or dust particles which could lead to health risks for both you and your baby if ingested through contaminated milk feedings later on down the road. Here is what you should do:
Store all detachable parts in an airtight container away from direct sunlight exposure (UV rays can damage some plastic materials). A good suggestion would be a plastic storage bin with a lid or a zip-lock baggie designed specifically for storing breast pump pieces; however make sure these storage containers/bags are washed regularly too since they can also gather dust particles over time if not taken care of correctly!
Don't store them near any strong odors like those produced by perfumes or household cleaners since these smells may linger onto the plastic surfaces of some delicate components making them unsafe when used again at another time; this also applies even if these smells dissipate shortly afterward as residual traces may remain present enough so as not make them safe anymore either way!
Conclusion
Cleaning your hands-free breast pump regularly will ensure that you can provide the best quality nutrition for your baby without having unnecessary worry about contamination from dirty equipment. By following these simple steps—disassemble parts, wash with soap and water, boil in hot water—you can ensure that your breast pump stays clean and working properly for years to come! Doing so will give you peace of mind knowing that you are doing everything possible to take care of yourself and provide optimal nutrition for your baby!
If you are still looking for a great hands free breast pump then why not take a look at our article 'Powerful And Silent: The 12 Best Hands Free Breast Pump' today and find the perfect device for you?
