How to Clean Your Breast Pump: Tips to Keep it Germ-Free

By: Hailey Nelson, MD, FAAP, IBCLC

Breast milk offers many benefits to babies and their parents. It provides optimal nutrition to help infants grow.

Pumping is one way to maintain your milk supply and provide breast milk when not directly breastfeeding. However, unless it is stored properly once pumped, germs can grow quickly in breast milk. That's why it is important to make sure all parts of the pump that come into contact with milk are cleaned.

Below are steps suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep your breast pump clean and protect against germs. Keep in mind that if your baby was born preterm (prematurely) or has other health concerns, their health care provider may have more recommendations for pumping breast milk safely. (Also see "Pumping and Expressing Milk for Your Premature Baby" and this video, below.)

Before using your breast pump each time:

Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds.

Clean the pumping area. Use disinfectant wipes on the countertop where the pump and bottles will be placed during the session.

Assemble a clean pump kit. Check to make sure the pump kit or tubing has become dirty or moldy during storage. If your tubing is moldy, dispose of and replace it immediately.

If you're sharing a pump, clean it. Be sure to clean the surface of the pump, including the power switch and dials.

As soon as possible after pumping, clean the pump parts that come into contact with the breast and/or breast milk in one of the following ways.

If cleaning in a dishwasher is recommended by pump kit manufacturer:

Wash. Place the disassembled pump parts in the dishwasher. Be sure to place the small items into a closed-top basket or mesh laundry bag so they don't end up in the dishwasher filter. If possible, run the dishwasher using hot water and a heated drying cycle (or sanitizing setting); this can help kill more germs.

Remove from dishwasher. Wash your hands with soap and water before removing and storing the cleaned items. If items are not completely dry, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel to air-dry thoroughly before storing. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

When used correctly, breast pump tubing does not touch the pumped milk so does not need to be cleaned routinely. However, keep a spare set of tubing on hand in case the set you are using gets dirty or damaged.

For extra germ removal, sanitize pump parts at least once every day. Sanitizing is especially important if your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer).

Daily sanitizing of pump parts may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if the parts are cleaned carefully after each use. Sanitize all items (even the bottle brush and wash basin!) by using one of the following options:

Note: If you use a dishwasher with hot water and a heating drying cycle (or sanitizing setting) to clean infant feeding items, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary.

Clean first. Pump parts, bottle brushes, and wash basins should be sanitized only after they have been cleaned.

Sanitize the pump kit, bottle brushes, and wash basins using one of the following options. Check manufacturer's instructions about whether items may be steamed or boiled.

Steam. Use a microwave or plug-in steam system according to the manufacturer's directions.

Boil. Place disassembled items that are safe to boil into a pot and cover with water. Put the pot over heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove items with clean tongs.

Allow to air-dry completely. Put the sanitized pump parts, wash basin and bottle brush on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel. Do this in an area that's protected from dirt and dust. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because this may transfer germs to the items.

Let the clean pump parts, bottle brushes and wash basin to air-dry thoroughly before storing them. This helps prevent germs and mold from growing. Once completely dry, the items should be stored in a clean, protected area to keep them from being contaminated during storage.

Wash hands well with soap and water.

Reassemble. Put together the clean, dry pump parts.

Store safely. Place reassembled pump kit in a clean, protected area such as inside an unused, sealable food storage bag. Store wash basins and bottle brushes in a clean area.

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Hailey Nelson, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, is a complex care pediatrician at Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, California. Dr. Nelson enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities and is especially passionate about providing the best possible care to medically fragile children and their families. She is also a licensed breastfeeding consultant, certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultants to support nursing mothers and their babies.