How often should you clean your breast pump

by jyoti singh digital marketer

Introduction

Breast pumps are a lifesaver for moms who want to continue breastfeeding while returning to work or when they have to travel. But, if you're a new mom, you may be wondering what exactly you need to clean and how often it should be done. The good news is that most of the time, cleaning your breast pump is pretty easy: You just need some soap and water! If you're interested in learning more about how often you'll need to clean parts of your breast pump as well as what specific products can help make this process easier than read on….

Pump parts that require regular cleaning.

All parts that come in contact with breast milk, including:
the breast pump motor base
Parts that come in contact with the breast, including:
the tubing and valves of your pump (so not just the base)
Parts that come in contact with your nipple(s), including:
any part of your flange (this is what goes over your nipple to keep it from being sucked into the pump)

When to clean your pump.

The best time to clean your breast pump is after each use. For the best results, you should also clean the motor of your breast pump once a month.

To clean the motor:

Remove the cap and brush attachments from the tube of your electric breast pump.
Put on gloves before handling any parts of your electric breast pump, as they can be very hot and may cause burns if they come in contact with skin.
Take a dry paper towel and wipe down all surfaces of the motor until it is completely dry (dampness could cause mold growth). Be sure to wipe off all crevices where debris could collect, including around any buttons or knobs on top of or near where you will insert tubing into them (you may need tweezers or another tool for this).

How to clean your pump.

Turn off your pump and remove the breast shield, tubing and bottle.
Fill a large bowl with clean water and add a few drops of dish soap. Submerge all parts except for any part that has a microprocessor (the white plastic piece inside).
Let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. You can also run hot water over them if they need more than just a rinse to get clean. Be sure not to leave these parts in soapy water or have them submerged in hot water longer than necessary, as this could damage their internal electronics!
Rinse each part thoroughly under running water before putting it back together again (if you're using hands-free pumping accessories like an electric pump bra or hands-free bra, skip this step). Make sure there are no traces of cleaning solution left behind on your breast shields when rinsing them off with water—this will keep milk from building up inside between pumping sessions which may lead to clogging issues down the road!

Cleaning products to use.

When it comes to cleaning products, we recommend using a non-toxic cleaner. You can try disinfecting wipes or solutions that are specially made for pumping equipment, but the most important thing is to read the label carefully and make sure they're safe for your pump's materials.

To clean the inside of the pump: Fill a bowl with hot water and add 1 teaspoon of dish soap to it. Put your pump parts in this solution and let them soak for 10-20 minutes (longer if you have a lot of milk buildup). Then use an old toothbrush to scrub away any residue or moldy buildup at the bottom of each part before rinsing them off with cold water.*
To clean tubing (this applies only if you have both single electric pumps and double electric pumps): Fill up a large container with warm water (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit), then place one end of your tubing into it. Use either an old toothbrush or cotton ball/cloth to gently scrub away any milk buildup until you see no more white gunk coming off onto your cloth.*

Pump parts should be cleaned after every use, and the motor should be cleaned once a month.

The pump parts should be cleaned after every use, and the motor should be cleaned once a month.

To clean the breast shields:

Remove any residue with a wet cloth or paper towel.
Use a bottle brush to clean inside of each shield (see our [how to](https://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-clean-breast-shields_10303669.bc?page=1) for tips on removing dried milk from your nursing equipment).

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure about how often to clean your breast pump, it might be helpful to reach out to a lactation consultant or other breastfeeding expert. They can help you figure out what works best for your situation and provide tips on how to keep things sanitary without being too difficult.