Cleaning and sanitizing feeding supplies

It is important to clean and sanitize your feeding supplies to keep you and your baby healthy, and to keep supplies in good condition.

Always wash your hands with soap and water before cleaning and sanitizing and make sure all work surfaces (such as countertops) are clean.

Cleaning

Bottles, nipples, tongs, breast pump parts at home

1. Take your feeding supplies apart.
2. Wash them well with warm soapy water. 
3. Rinse the parts with clean water.
4. Leave them to air dry on a clean dish towel and avoid using drying racks. A drying rack can trap moisture, allow mold and germs to grow.

Breast pump parts while your baby is in the NICU

Wash the pump parts in a basin after each use. Do not wash the parts in the sink, as it may be dirty.

1. Rinse the pump parts with water before you wash them.
2. Wash the shield, valve and white membrane in hot water using mild dish soap. All three parts need to be taken apart before washing.
3. Let the parts air dry on a clean towel.
4. When dry, store the parts in a basin. 
5. Wipe down the tubing and yellow adapter with a clean cloth and disinfectant. Store these parts separately from the other pump parts. 
6. After cleaning, do not handle the pump parts unless you have washed your hands.

Breast pumps

Clean the pump before and after each use.

1. Wearing rubber gloves, use disinfectant wipes to clean and wipe the entire pump.
2. Let the pump dry for one minute.

Sanitizing

Sanitize feeding supplies and breast pump parts until at least four months after your due date.

How often to sanitize

• feeding supplies: after each use
• breast pump parts: at least once per week

How to sanitize

There are a few ways you can sanitize your feeding equipment.

Stove top 

1. Clean all bottle parts in warm soapy water and rinse well. 
2. Put clean items in a large pot and cover them with cold tap water. 
3. Bring the water to a boil and boil continuously for 2 minutes. 
4. Take out the sanitized items with tongs (that have already been sanitized). 
5. Place the items on a clean drying surface, such as a clean towel. 

Electric steam or microwave

Follow manufacturer instructions and note microwave wattage. Time varies between products.

Micro-steam bag

Place disassembled items in a micro-steam bag. Follow manufacturer instructions.