Many women choose to offer the health benefits of breast milk to their babies by utilizing a breast pump. Breast pumps, whether they are electric, semi-electric or manual, must be cleaned after each use in order to prevent mold or mildew growth on the parts of the pump that come in contact with the milk. These parts can include the tubes, pump body and areola stimulator and can be washed at home without the need of a professional sterilization.
Instructions
1. Disassemble the breast pump. Separate the parts that come in contact with breast milk from the parts that do not. The instruction manual that accompanies the pump should also give a detailed list of items that should be washed.
2. Wash each of the pieces that comes in contact with breast milk separately in hot soapy water. Use a soft cloth to gently scrub any parts that have breast milk residue on them. Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools, such as bottle brush, on the breast pump components as these could scratch the plastic.
3. Rinse the pieces for 10 to 15 seconds each with warm water.
4. Set out a clean towel and place all of the cleaned breast pump parts on it. Allow the components to air dry completely. Avoid using a towel to dry the pieces, as it could be covered in bacteria that could transfer to the breast pump components.
5. Place the breast pump components into the original storage container. Avoid touching the inner surfaces of any parts as this could also cause contamination.
Tags: breast milk, breast pump, breast pump, breast pump components, contact with, parts that
