How do you store breast pump parts between uses?

Properly storing breast pump parts between uses is crucial for keeping them clean and safe for your baby. Here are some quick tips for storing your pump parts:

Table of Contents

After Pumping

After you finish pumping, you’ll first want to clean the parts. Rinse any breast milk residue off with cool water. Then wash the parts in hot, soapy water or put them in the dishwasher. Make sure to scrub bottles, flanges, valves, membranes, and any other parts that come into contact with breast milk. This helps remove milk residue and bacteria.

Once clean, the parts will need to dry fully before storing. Air drying is best, but you can also use a clean dish towel. Ensure no moisture is left, as this can allow bacteria to grow.

Refrigerate Between Uses

For storage between pumping sessions throughout the day, refrigeration is best. Place clean, dry parts in a sealed container or plastic bag. Then store in the refrigerator between uses. The cold temperature helps prevent bacteria growth. Refrigerated parts should be used within 24 hours.

Refrigerating parts after each use maintains hygiene. It also saves time since you won’t need to wash parts again until the end of the day. Just be sure to fully wash any milk residue off before refrigerating.

Freezing Breast Milk

If you won’t use freshly pumped breast milk within a few days, freeze it for later use. Here are some recommendations for freezing breast milk:

Store breast milk in clean breast milk storage bags, containers, or bottles designed for freezing. Leave space at the top for expansion.
Lay bags flat in the freezer to prevent spills once frozen.
Freeze breast milk in 2-4 ounce portions to avoid waste.

Label bags or containers with the date pumped. Use oldest milk first.
Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Avoid refreezing thawed breast milk. Use within 24 hours after thawing.

Properly freezing breast milk preserves nutrients and antibacterial properties.

Overnight and Long-Term Storage

For overnight and longer storage, you have a few options:

Refrigerate: As mentioned above, refrigeration preserves pumped milk for up to 24 hours. Make sure all parts are clean and dry first.

Freeze: The freezer maintains safety and nutrients of milk for months. Store in bags laid flat or bottles/containers designed for freezing.
Sterilize: Sterilizing parts by boiling, steaming, or using a sterilizer removes all bacteria. Then parts can be stored dry for up to a few days.

If storing parts for several days or longer, take extra precautions. Wash thoroughly, dry fully, and store in a clean, sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer. Sterilizing first is also recommended.

Avoid Contamination

Here are some tips to avoid contaminating pump parts and breast milk during storage:

Ensure all parts are thoroughly clean and dry before storage.
Store in a clean, dedicated container, bag, or bottle.

Don’t add fresh milk to already frozen milk.
Use oldest frozen milk first.
Don’t save milk from a breast pump collection bottle for use later.

Don’t leave expressed milk out for more than 4 hours.
Don’t save unfinished bottles of expressed milk if baby didn’t finish it within 2 hours after feeding starts.

Following proper hygiene practices prevents bacteria or viruses from getting into breast milk during pumping, storage, and feeding.

General Tips

Here are some general tips for storing your pump parts:

Read the instructions for your breast pump for specific guidelines.
Discard milk if it smells sour, tastes off, or has changed color.

Use oldest frozen milk first. Date all containers and bags.
Store parts in a closed container in the refrigerator between uses to limit bacteria growth.
Don’t store parts longer than recommended by the pump manufacturer.

Sterilize parts occasionally for long-term storage or if you have repeated mastitis infections.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific pump ensures best results. But in general, keeping parts refrigerated between uses and fully washing/drying before long-term storage keeps them clean and safe.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Thorough cleaning and proper sanitizing or sterilizing of pump parts helps prevent mold, bacteria, and viruses that could contaminate expressed breast milk. Here are some best practices:

Cleaning

Rinse or wash parts in cool water after each use to remove breast milk residue.
Clean all parts that come into contact with breast milk in hot, soapy water after each use.
Clean valve membranes carefully with a small brush and water to remove buildup.

Clean any milk residue out of breast pump tubing and bottles.
Let all parts air dry fully after washing.

Sanitizing and Sterilizing

Sanitize daily by boiling, steaming, or using a dishwasher, bottle sterilizer, or other sanitizing system.

Sterilize parts occasionally by boiling for 10 minutes, steaming for 5 minutes, or using an electric steam sterilizer.
Sterilize any parts that touched contaminated breast milk before reusing.
Replace deteriorating valves, membranes, bottles, and other parts as needed.

Proper daily cleaning followed by occasional sterilizing or sanitizing destroys bacteria and prevents illness from contaminated breast milk or pump parts.

Storing Breast Milk When Traveling

Traveling with your breast pump means you’ll need to safely store milk between pumping sessions. Here are some tips:

Pack pump parts in a cooler bag with frozen ice packs if you won’t have refrigerator access.

Use a thermos cooler bag to store freshly pumped milk.
Consider using disposable breast milk storage bags while traveling.
Carry an insulated bottle bag for transporting milk.

Pack ready-to-feed formula as a backup if needed.
Bring extra breast milk storage bags, bottles, ice, and cooling elements.
Know the location of refrigerators at rest stops, stores, and your destination for storing milk.

Proper storage while traveling protects your milk supply and allows you to safely transport breast milk home. Prior planning helps ensure you can refrigerate or freeze milk as needed.

Common Pumping Mistakes

Improperly storing pump parts or expressed milk increases contamination risks. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Not washing hands before handling pump parts or milk

Reusing milk collection bottles for fresh milk
Storing used parts or milk in non-sterile containers
Not fully disassembling parts for proper cleaning

Letting parts air dry rather than towel drying
Storing wet or damp parts in the refrigerator
Not labeling and dating milk storage bags or containers

Pumping milk into used collection bottles instead of sterile storage bags

Careful cleaning, fully drying parts, proper refrigerated storage, and using sterile collection bags reduces contamination risks. Follow your pump manufacturer’s guidelines for best results.

Signs of Spoiled Breast Milk

Check stored breast milk for signs of spoilage before feeding to your baby. Watch for:

Sour smell
Change in color or consistency
Mold spots or fuzz

Curdled or lumpy appearance
Sour or soapy taste

If breast milk smells, tastes, or looks abnormal, discard it. Do not taste milk directly – pour a small amount into a clean spoon first. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and throw it out.

How Long Does Breast Milk Last?

How long breast milk stays fresh depends on the storage method:

Countertop or room temperature: Up to 4 hours
Insulated cooler bag: Up to 24 hours

Refrigerator: Up to 5 days
Freezer section inside a refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks
Standalone freezer: Up to 6 months

Deep freezer at 0°F: Up to 12 months

Store milk in the back of the refrigerator or freezer where temperature is most constant. Discard any unused frozen milk after one year.

Thawing and Warming Milk

Frozen milk must be properly thawed and warmed before feeding to preserve safety and nutrients.

Thawing

Refrigerator: Place frozen milk in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 12 hours to thaw slowly.
Countertop: To thaw faster, hold sealed bag or bottle under cool running water or place in a container of cool water.
Warm water: Place sealed milk in a bowl of warm water. Change water every 15 minutes to keep it cool.

Never thaw at room temperature or in hot water, which could cause bacterial growth in milk.

Warming

Once thawed, warm milk by placing bottle or storage bag in a container/bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
Avoid using the microwave, which can create hot spots that could burn baby.

Gently swirl or shake milk to mix any separated fat back together before warming.
Test temperature before feeding.

How to Store Breast Milk While at Work

Returning to work while pumping breast milk introduces some additional storage considerations:

Store milk in a refrigerator at work if available. Use an insulated lunch bag if no refrigerator.
Use cooler packs in your pump bag to keep milk cool for the commute home.
Consider buying a second pump kit to keep at work.

Wash hands before pumping and wipe down surfaces.
Pump directly into storage bags, then seal, label, and store.
Track milk temperature and times to ensure safety.

Transport milk home within 24 hours.

Proper storage helps preserve your milk for baby while accommodating your work schedule. Planning ahead helps make it easier.

Cleaning and Storing Breast Pump Properly

In addition to parts, proper care for the breast pump itself is also essential:

Wipe down external pump surfaces with a disinfectant wipe after use.
Store the pump in a clean space away from potential contaminants when not in use.
Follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning or replacing tubing, valves, and other internal parts.

Refer to guidelines for the frequency of replacing milk collection kits.
Inspect the pump for any cracks, condensation, mold, or damage before each use.
Replace any deteriorating or moldy parts immediately.

Routine cleaning and inspection ensures the pump continues working properly and doesn’t introduce bacteria into the pumping system.

Storing Milk for a Preemie Baby

Here are some tips for storing milk for a premature or immunocompromised infant:

Consult your baby’s doctor for any specialized storage guidelines.

Sterilize all pump parts before first use.
Immediately refrigerate or freeze milk after pumping.
Store milk in small 1-2 oz portions to avoid waste.

Label everything thoroughly with pumping date and time.
Discard any unused frozen milk within 3-6 months.
Disinfect all storage bag tops before opening to feed baby.

Extra vigilance protects fragile babies. Storing breast milk in small quantities and discarding unused portions quickly reduces waste and ensures the freshest milk possible.

Conclusion

Properly storing breast pump parts and expressed milk keeps them safe for feeding your baby. Be sure to wash all parts thoroughly after each use. Let air dry fully before storage to prevent mold growth. Refrigerate clean parts between sessions, and freeze milk not used within a few days. With some planning and care, you can safely store pump parts and breast milk for your baby’s ongoing nutrition.