Disclosure: I was given a Pumpie 1N1 Dishwasher Bag and Wet Bag to review. The opinions here are my own.
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.
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.)
Emily Lottes says
June 8, 2017 at 8:59 pmSeems like this would make life a bit easier – I’d love to win!
Ty says
June 7, 2017 at 8:29 pmThanks for the review and the chance to win!
Elizabeth Young says
June 7, 2017 at 10:44 amI 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!
Lindy Kasoian says
June 7, 2017 at 8:27 amThis would be wonderful!
Love this site gave me a lot of hope and encouragement.
Jenny says
June 7, 2017 at 6:56 amGreat idea!
Amber says
June 6, 2017 at 9:28 pmSounds like an awesome product to make EP a little easier!
Natalie says
June 6, 2017 at 8:39 pmWhat a fantastic idea! This would make pumping at work that much easier!
Chrissy Podesta says
June 6, 2017 at 8:29 pmThanks for all of your suggestions and reviews! EP is hard but makes it easier to hear others success stories.
Would love to win!
SD in AZ says
June 6, 2017 at 6:52 pmWhat a cool idea!
Liz Borges says
June 6, 2017 at 6:01 pmI’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.
Nicole says
June 6, 2017 at 4:18 pmI 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!
Kaylaa says
June 6, 2017 at 3:18 pmThese are such great ideas! Makes pumping seem just a bit more easy.
Kara says
June 6, 2017 at 2:49 pmLike 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.
Traci Mongelli says
June 6, 2017 at 2:40 pmI would love to win a pumpie! This would be so helpful!
Sara says
June 6, 2017 at 1:37 pmI would love this !
Rachel says
June 6, 2017 at 12:11 pmLoved 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!
Jen Lynn says
June 6, 2017 at 11:53 amI’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!
Heather says
June 6, 2017 at 11:42 amI would love this! I love how companies are making exclusively pumping more convenient for working moms!
Amanda says
June 6, 2017 at 11:10 am8.5 months strong Eping and using ziploc bags. Would love something reusable and helpful on the go!
Lindy Boyne says
June 6, 2017 at 11:06 amI’m always looking for great time saving ideas! Count me in =)
Elisa says
June 6, 2017 at 11:05 amI’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!
Molly says
June 6, 2017 at 11:05 amI’d love to win this!
Megan says
June 6, 2017 at 10:58 amI 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.
Lindzie Spencer says
June 6, 2017 at 10:22 amI’ve been hand washing everything and this sounds like a time saver.
Emily S says
June 6, 2017 at 9:58 amBeen exclusively pumping for almost 10 months and the idea of not washing my pump parts by hand multiple times a day sounds like heaven!!
Shelly Bakosh says
June 6, 2017 at 9:49 amAs an EPer this would be great!
WindyCityAshley says
June 6, 2017 at 9:30 amThe pumpie sounds fantastic. So much easier!
Layne Redman says
June 6, 2017 at 9:18 amAwesome idea – would love to try these!!
Ngoc Chan says
June 6, 2017 at 9:08 amI 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!