All breast pump parts that come in contact with breast milk, such as bottles, valves and breast shields, should be cleaned after each use. It is not possible to completely sterilize breast pump parts at home, even if you boil them. However, sterilization is not necessary to keep these parts safe and sanitary.

What’s the best way to sterilise a baby bottle? Make sure bottles, lids and teats are facing downwards. You may prefer to wash teats separately by hand to make sure they are completely clean. Rinse all your equipment in clean, cold running water before sterilising. The advice above applies to all your baby’s feeding equipment, and whether you are using expressed breast milk or formula milk.

What should I use to sterilise my breast pump? If you’re using a dishwasher, make sure you place bottles and teats face down, so they don’t fill with dirty water. Using clean bottle and teat brushes will help you reach each part of the bottle, teat or breast pump. After washing, rinse all equipment in clean, cold, running water before you sterilise it (NHS, 2019a).

Why do you need to sterilise breast milk? That’s why, in the UK, the NHS recommends that all equipment used for collecting, storing or feeding expressed breastmilk or formula milk for babies is sterilised before use (NHS, 2019a). You might not think it but milk provides an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that could give your baby an infection (Renfrew et al, 2008).

Do you have to sterilise a breastfeeding Cup? Any formula milk that’s left in the cup or bottle at the end of the feed should be thrown away (NHS, 2019b). And you’ll need to thoroughly wash up and sterilise the cup, bottle or spoon just before you use them again (NHS, 2019a).