How often should a breast pump be sterilized

Breast pumps are very common in life and are very important for breastfeeding women. Some women need to go to work after giving birth, but because the child is still in the breastfeeding period, they usually use a breast pump to suck out the milk and then feed the baby through a bottle. Everyone knows that things used for babies need to be disinfected frequently, and the same is true for breast pumps. So how often should breast pumps be disinfected?

How often should a breast pump be sterilized?

Clean the breast pump carefully after each use. If some parts cannot be disassembled and cleaned separately, sanitary dead corners will be created.

1. After using the breast pump, rinse each part that has come into contact with breast milk with cold water as soon as possible to prevent breast milk from adhering to the breast pump.

2. Clean each part separately with detergent and plenty of warm water.

3. Rinse each part thoroughly with hot water for 10-15 seconds to avoid detergent residue.

4. The cleaned parts can be placed on a clean paper towel or a special drying rack to dry naturally. If you don't have enough time, dry it with a clean paper towel, but not a cloth towel, which may contain bacteria and germs.

5. After the parts are dry, they can be assembled for next use.

6. Be careful not to touch the inside of parts that may come into direct contact with breast milk.

7. Some mothers may also have a microwave sterilizer for breast pumps. Although the effectiveness of a microwave sterilizer cannot meet FDA standards, this method of sterilization is acceptable if the breast pump is used by the mother alone and cross-infection is not a concern.

8. The breast pump tube only needs to be cleaned after breast milk enters. After cleaning using the above method, make sure the pipe is hung to dry before installing it back. If you find condensation in the tube after use, just turn on the breast pump and let it idle until the water in the tube dries up.

How to use a breast pump correctly

1. Wash your hands and breasts. Gently express a little milk from each breast to make sure the ducts are not blocked;

2. Make sure you have sterilized and installed the breast pump;

3. Choose a comfortable chair, relax your body, lean forward slightly (put a pillow behind your back), and put a glass of water next to you;

4. Press the funnel and massage pad of the breast pump tightly against the breast, and do not let air in to avoid loss of suction;

5. When you press the handles gently, you will feel suction on your breasts. The suction of the breast pump does not need to reach the maximum level to make your milk flow smoothly, so there is no need to press the handle all the way down to form a vacuum, just feel comfortable;

6. When you first start pumping milk, you can quickly press the handle 5-6 times. Next, press the handle to keep it there for 2-3 seconds, then release it to let it return to its original position. This imitates the natural sucking action of the baby. The milk will flow out when the handle is put back in place;

7. If no milk comes out after pressing a few times, don't be anxious, just relax and keep trying. If you experience discomfort or pain during breastfeeding, stop immediately and consult a doctor;

8. Using a massage pad will speed up the flow of milk, making it easier to pump milk;

9. It usually takes 10 minutes to express 60-125 ml of milk. But everyone's physique is different, there are always differences. If you express more than 125 ml of milk at a time, use a larger bottle.