Not sure if you need to wash your pump parts every time you pump? Here is how the CDC recommends washing breast pump parts, and how to make following these recommendations as easy as possible.
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Background on the CDC’s guidelines
Previously, there was no official protocol for how breast pump parts should be cleaned, but in 2017, the CDC decided to publish new guidelines after the death of a preterm infant was linked to contaminated pump parts.
More information on the very sad case of the preterm infant is available here; the short version for anyone not wanting to read the story is that the baby became very sick after being exposed to a pathogen called Cronobacter sakazakii.
During the investigation, the same bacteria was found in the family’s home sink. The investigation concluded that the baby was exposed to it after the pump parts came into contact with the bacteria when they were being cleaned in that sink.
In this particular instance, the mother soaked the pump parts in hot soapy water in the sink for several hours before rinsing them off and air-drying them.
What are the new guidelines for cleaning breast pump parts?
The new recommendations are written to avoid cases like this.
I recommend reading and printing out the CDC’s handout, but below are a few highlights that may be different from what you are already doing.
1. Wash pump parts and bottles in a wash basin
Instead of washing your pump parts directly in the sink, use a wash basin that is only used for washing pump parts.
This will reduce the chances that bacteria from food or anything else that’s already in the sink touches your pump parts.
2. Take your breast pump parts apart before washing
Every piece that can be taken apart should be and washed individually.
3. Use your bottle brush only for infant cleaning items
Don’t use your bottle brush to clean your food dishes or anything else.
(If you like using a bottle brush to wash your dishes, that’s fine, just get a separate one for that.)
If you have a dishwasher, it’s a good idea to run your wash basin and bottle brush through it once a day, or as often as you run it.
4. Scrub in hot soapy water, then rinse
Wash your bottles and pump parts with the bottle brush in hot soapy water, then rinse in clean running water.
5. Air dry your pump parts
Allow your pump parts to completely air dry after washing. Do not dry them with a rag – if you do need to hand dry them, use a paper towel.
Once they’ve dried, you can store them in a clean covered container, like a food storage container or a plastic zip-top bag.
(Not sure what to do with your tubing? More on cleaning breast pump tubing here.)
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Can you wash pump parts in the dishwasher?
Yes. If your bottles and pump parts are dishwasher safe, the CDC states that is also an acceptable way to wash them. (Check your breast pump manual to confirm if they are dishwasher safe. If you no longer have yours, they are usually available as a PDF online.)
Put pump parts and nipples in a mesh bag or container, and use soap and a hot water and heated drying cycle.
If parts are still somewhat wet when the cycle is finished, allow them to finish air drying before storing them in a container.
More on washing pump parts in the dishwasher here.
Do you have to sterilize breast pump parts after each use?
No.
The CDC recommends sterilizing pump parts, bottles, your wash basin, and your bottle brush at least once per day if your baby is less than three months old, is currently ill, or was born prematurely.
If your baby doesn’t fit into any of these categories, the CDC says it “may not be necessary” to sterilize every day, but they don’t give an alternative timeframe.
There are a bunch of different ways you can sterilize pump parts. More on how to do this here.
What about the fridge hack?
So far, all of the guidelines that we’ve talked about have been pretty manageable.
Now, here’s the kicker. The CDC now says that you should wash your pump parts “as soon as possible after every use.”
In the past, I had recommended keeping pump parts in the refrigerator in a zip-top plastic bag in between uses, and washing them thoroughly every few pumping sessions. This is known as the “fridge hack.”
If you cannot clean your pump parts thoroughly after each pumping session, you can rinse and then refrigerate pump parts for a few hours between uses to help slow the growth of bacteria. It’s important to understand that refrigeration does not stop bacteria from growing. No studies have shown whether rinsing or wiping and then storing pump parts in the refrigerator between pumping sessions effectively limits the growth of bacteria and is a safe alternative to washing between use every time.
So I would say that they are decidedly unenthusiastic about it, but understand that in some cases it may be the best option.
What if you don’t have access to clean water?
If you’re on a long flight or in an area without clean water, Medela wipes may work well.
I wouldn’t recommend these for everyday use, but in situations where your other choices would be reusing dirty pump parts or washing in water that isn’t clean, I think they make sense.
How can you make following CDC guidelines for washing pump parts easier?
In order to follow the recommendation to wash pump parts after each use, I would buy enough sets of pump parts to get me through a full day.
At the end of the day, I would either wash them all together in a batch as described in the CDC handout, and then sterilize them, or put them all in the dishwasher and run it every night.
The obvious downfall of this strategy – buying a lot of pump parts – is that it can get expensive. There are a few ways that you may be able to mitigate this cost:
- You may be able to find replacement parts at a better price on amazon, as Nenesupply and Maymom may make more affordable sets that are compatible with your pump.
- You may be able to get replacement breast pump parts for free through your insurance company.
What do you think about this guidance for cleaning breast pump parts, and what is your plan? Tell us in the comments!
More on washing bottles and pump parts here.
References
- Bowen, Anna, et al. “Notes from the Field: Cronobacter sakazakii Infection Associated with Feeding Extrinsically Contaminated Expressed Human Milk to a Premature Infant” Pennsylvania, 2016.” https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6628a5.htm
- Centers for Disease Control. “Frequently Asked Question on Breast Pump Cleaning.” https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/childcare/breast-pump-cleaning-FAQ.html
- Centers for Disease Control. “How to Keep Your Breast Pump Kit Clean.” https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/hygiene/breast-pump-fact-sheet.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control. “How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items.” https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/childcare/clean-sanitize.html