How to Clean Medela Breast Pump Parts

If you have to be separated from your baby and you are breastfeeding, a Medela pump can help you maintain your milk supply and provide food for your baby while you are away. Using the pump correctly is important and cleaning the parts does take time, but it will quickly become part of your pumping routine.

Instructions

Cleaning the Breast Pump Parts

1

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your breasts or anything that comes in contact with your breasts or breast milk.

2

Sanitize every part of your pump that comes in contact with your breast and milk before using. Take apart your newly purchased breast pump and boil the breast shields, the connectors, the valves, the membranes, the bottles and bottle caps for ten minutes. Dry the parts thoroughly before using. You can wipe down the outside of the tubing, but don't ever immerse it into water, as water on the inside of the tubing can hinder proper circulation of air while pumping.

3

Disassemble all parts that come in contact with your breast and milk after each use. See the previous step to determine which parts you need to disassemble to wash.

4

Wash the parts in warm, soapy water.

5

Rinse the parts properly in clear water.

6

Dry the breast pump parts on a clean towel and cover them in another towel when they are not in use, the Medela Pump in Style Original owner's manual says. The parts should be completely dry before you use them again.

7

Wipe down the diaphragm cap with a damp, but not wet, cloth after each use. The diaphragm is the yellow, plastic shield located in the bag that covers the pump itself.