Cleaning Your Pump

While human milk has a lot of protective qualities, it is important to take precautions to keep it bacteria free. Most pump equipment should be rinsed out with clean water and stored where it can dry. A cleansing solution provided by the pump company should be okay, but regular soap can give the baby diarrhea. Be sure to clean the area well where the milk comes in contact. Be sure to wash your hands before pumping, too! At least once a week you should wash it thoroughly, preferably in the dishwasher. There you have a non-sudsing detergent, and the high temperatures reached in the dishwasher are important.