One of the challenging things about exclusively pumping is the constant washing of pump parts and bottles – not only do you need to take the time to both pump and to bottle feed, but you have to clean everything! It can feel like the worst of both worlds. One way to make it easier to wash your breast pump parts in the dishwasher.
Disclosure: I was given a Pumpie 1N1 Dishwasher Bag and Wet Bag to review. The opinions here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. More info here.
One way to make this easier is to use the dishwasher. With bottles, it’s pretty self explanatory how to do that – you can just put them on the top shelf with your drinking cups and glasses and other stuff. For more complicated bottles, you can use a dishwasher basket like the one for Dr. Brown’s bottles.
However, putting breast pump parts in the dishwasher on their own isn’t an option because they are too small, and they will fall through the top rack. You definitely need something to put them in so that this doesn’t happen, but that at the same time, lets the water and soap in so that the pump parts actually get clean.
The Pumpie 1N1 is a really good solution to this problem. I ran the dishwasher with my pump parts a few times, and everything got clean and nothing fell out.
One note: when I used my dishwasher bag, I wasn’t sure if I should remove the valve that attaches to the yellow connector because I was a little nervous that it would fall out. I asked Helen (the founder of Pumpie), and she assured me that I should. I tried it and ran the dishwasher that way a few times, and it was totally fine.
If you run your dishwasher every day, you could have a pretty simple system set up. You’d need to have at least two sets of pump parts on hand; one set you run through the dishwasher – along with your bottles, if you want – and the other you use and keep in the fridge between pumping sessions. (Updated 4/21/18: The CDC issued guidelines for washing pump parts that may contradict advice to keep pump parts in the fridge in between sessions. One option that would be compliant with the guidelines would be to buy as many sets of pump parts as you pump in a day, and run them all through the dishwasher every night.)
Speaking of keeping pump parts together, the Pumpie Wet Bag is similar to the Pumparoo (which I reviewed here) – it’s a reusable bag that you can keep your pump parts in after you pump and before you wash them.
There are a couple of features that I like about this product as compared to the Pumparoo or a ziploc bag – first, I like that you can collapse it out on the counter and use it as a spot to put your bottles and pump parts while you unhook yourself, and then easily use the drawstrings to pick everything up. The drawstrings also make it easy to open up the bag and have everything that you need in front of you.
The one concern that I had with these two products is that they are a little pricey (the Pumpie Wet Bag retails for $35, and by comparison, the Pumparoo is almost half that). I asked Helen about this, and she said that the bags are handmade by a mom in St. Louis. Additionally, they are adding monograms to the Pumpie bags, and the monogram will be included in the price.
(Updated 4/21/18: This post was originally and a review/giveaway, and was updated to provide more up-to-date information on the product.)
Seems like this would make life a bit easier – I’d love to win!
Thanks for the review and the chance to win!
I would love to have this! Im exclusively pumping my 2 month old due to latch problems from her being in the NICU for 2 weeks and being bottle fed my breast milk. What a great idea for a product!
This would be wonderful!
Love this site gave me a lot of hope and encouragement.
Great idea!
Sounds like an awesome product to make EP a little easier!
What a fantastic idea! This would make pumping at work that much easier!
Thanks for all of your suggestions and reviews! EP is hard but makes it easier to hear others success stories.
Would love to win!
What a cool idea!
I’d love a pumpie!! I am going back to work on Thursday and can use all the help I can get since I’ll be pumping there.
I would love to have this! Yesterday was my first day back to work and this would be such a time saver when I get home to my little one!
These are such great ideas! Makes pumping seem just a bit more easy.
Like maby of these amazing mamma’s I am using zip lock bags! Would love to
Simplify. Am an exclusive pumper with 2 others (4 and 2) at home.
I would love to win a pumpie! This would be so helpful!
I would love this !
Loved this article! My midwife sent me the link for your website and I’m so thankful for all the information and easy tips you bring. My daughter wouldn’t latch and I fell into deep depression thinking I failed because I had to switch to formula, this time with my son, I’ve been pumping exclusively for 2 weeks, my son will be a month old on Friday. Last week I completely dried up but pumping to your times, and taking fenugreek and eating oatmeal has helped me produce now 1.5 to 3 oz a pumping session. I would love to be considered for this giveaway, nice to not have to wash your pumping supplies every time (which I have been doing). Thank you again for all the info from your site!
I’m using a ziplock bag but still end up washing a ton of parts since I pump at work and at home. This bag sounds like an amazing accessory to have!
I would love this! I love how companies are making exclusively pumping more convenient for working moms!
8.5 months strong Eping and using ziploc bags. Would love something reusable and helpful on the go!
I’m always looking for great time saving ideas! Count me in =)
I’m a first time mom and now first time pumper after trying to breastfeed the first 3 months:( getting the hang of it all and these products would be great to have. I’ve already spent so much ha!
I’d love to win this!
I use a glad container to put my parts in the fridge or cooler. It can be bulky and annoying when I go places. I have used a zip loc bag as well. I would love to have something more convenient and simple.
I’ve been hand washing everything and this sounds like a time saver.
Been exclusively pumping for almost 10 months and the idea of not washing my pump parts by hand multiple times a day sounds like heaven!!
As an EPer this would be great!
The pumpie sounds fantastic. So much easier!
Awesome idea – would love to try these!!
I have been exclusively pumping for 3 weeks now and anything to make my life easier would be amazing! Love that there are useful accessories for EP-ers out there!