I just bought a electric breast pump about 2 weeks ago. I'm just wondering how other people clean there parts too. Do you use a dishwasher or by hand? Do you wash them after everytime or do you keep them in the fridge to use again? How often to you sterilize them? Do you air dry them or hand dry them. Basically what I'm asking is can you tell me your routine in cleaning all the parts.
Thanks
Re: Cleaning Breast Pump Parts
By lilenatalem at 2012-01-28
I was a mega-pumper since I couldn't nurse...it sucked!
Each time I pumped, I rinsed my parts in cold water (BTW, you need to do this to break down the milk protein; they usually tell you this at the hospital), then hand wash in hot soapy water using Dawn or Palmolive. I did have multiple sets but would only run through the dishwaster when I had a full load.
At work, I pumped 3-4 times, I would use that Medela alcohol-free wipes - because I did it every two hours -I figure if BM is good at room temp for at approx 4 hours - using the wipes are fine, the last pump session I would rinse cold/wash hot soapy water or bring them home and do it.
I let them air dry on a rack and I sterilized all parts (and bottles because I had to supplement with formula) once a week using a steamer tray or bag.