The Fridge Hack
What is the Fridge Hack?
To save time, some mothers will skip washing their pump parts with soap and water after each use, and instead, place the parts in a clean, sealed bag in the fridge between pumping sessions. Then, fully clean their pump parts at the end of the day.
What is Recommended?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and most breast pump manufacturers recommend cleaning pump parts thoroughly with soap and water after every use to help protect babies from germs.1 No research shows whether rinsing, wiping or storing pump parts in the refrigerator between pumping sessions effectively limits the growth of bacteria and is a safe alternative to washing.1 Infants have become ill from contaminated milk due to bacteria growing on pump parts that were not cleaned properly.2 If the infant is younger than 2 months or has a compromised immune system, proper cleaning of pump parts after each use and sanitizing at least once daily is especially important.
If you cannot clean your pump parts with soap and water after each pumping session, you can rinse them and then place the parts in a clean, sealed bag in the fridge for a few hours. If rinsing is not possible, you can wipe milk residue off the parts with a clean, disposable paper towel before storing in a sealed bag in the fridge.1
What If I Have Questions?
If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:
- Pumping 101
- Exclusive Pumping Breakout
- Navigating Maternity Leave
To register for these classes, log into your portal or click here.
Want More Info?
For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:
Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical evaluation or consultation. Please seek advice from your own healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.
References