How to Clean Your Breast Pump Parts and Extend Their Life

Keeping your breast pump parts clean and in good condition is essential for effective and hygienic pumping. Proper cleaning not only protects your baby but also helps prolong the life of your breast pump parts. Here’s a guide to ensure you’re getting the most out of your pumping essentials.

Step 1: Wash After Each Use

After every pumping session, it’s important to thoroughly wash all parts that come into contact with breast milk. Follow these steps for routine cleaning:

1. Disassemble Your Pump Parts: Take apart all components, including the bottles, flanges, connectors, and the duckbill valve.
2. Use Hot, Soapy Water: Wash the parts in hot soapy water, ensuring you remove all milk residue. Pay extra attention to small crevices where milk can hide.
3. Be Gentle with the Duckbill Valve: The duckbill valve is a delicate piece that plays a key role in suction quality. Avoid pulling or overstretching it, as tears or damage can compromise performance.

Step 2: Sterilise Regularly

Sterilising your breast pump parts is crucial to kill bacteria and ensure cleanliness. You can choose from a variety of sterilisation methods, such as:

• UV Sterilisation: A convenient and gentle option we highly recommend, as it’s effective without the use of steam or heat that may degrade silicone over time. Our UV/LED Multifunction Steriliser & Dryer is a favourite amongst parents!
• Steam Sterilisation: Using a microwave or an electric steam steriliser.
• Boiling Water: Place parts in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.

Ensure you check your pump’s user manual for any specific sterilisation recommendations or limitations.

Step 3: Address Residue Build-Up

Over time, breast milk can leave a fatty residue on your pump parts, even with regular cleaning. This residue can make silicone components feel slippery and affect the performance of the duckbill valve or other suction components.

To tackle residue buildup:

1. Wash the parts in hot, soapy water as usual.
2. Place the silicone parts (like flanges and duckbill valves) into a pot of boiling water for 4-5 minutes. This helps melt away the fatty residue and restores the silicone's texture.
   • Tip: Set a timer to avoid overboiling, which can weaken the material.
3. After boiling, gently inspect the duckbill valve and pinch it to ensure the edges are flat and properly sealed. This step is vital for maintaining suction efficiency.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Pump Parts

1. Inspect Regularly: Check parts like the duckbill valve and tubing for signs of wear and tear. Replace damaged parts promptly to maintain suction and hygiene.
2. Rotate Spare Parts: Having an extra set of pump parts on hand can reduce wear and tear on a single set and ensure you’re never caught without clean equipment.
3. Avoid Abrasive Cleaners: Stick to gentle dish soap, and avoid using harsh scrubbing pads that could scratch or damage delicate surfaces.
4. Dry Thoroughly: Allow all parts to air dry completely before reassembly to prevent mold or bacteria growth.
5. Keep Crucial Spare Parts on Hand: It’s a great idea to have a spare set of inserts or Valves in case you damage or lose one. This way, you can continue pumping without any interruptions. You can find spare parts for each of our kit styles below

All-In-One Parts

Original Parts

Invisi Flow Parts

By following these steps, you’ll ensure your breast pump parts stay in top shape, providing optimal suction and hygiene for your pumping journey. A little extra care goes a long way in keeping your pump working efficiently and saving you from unnecessary replacements.

Happy pumping! 💕