Feeding support
Washing and assembling pump parts
Owning the pump station means she never checks whether clean parts exist. Flange fit matters as much as cleaning.
Dedicated basin
Illustrated frame placeholder
Never the sink itself.
Transcript and media source
Full transcript available. Placeholder media for the prototype; production media is sourced only from hospitals, university medical centers, government health agencies, professional medical organizations and certified lactation professionals.
Reviewing clinician: R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Reviewed 2026-05-14 · Captions available
Supplies needed
- ·Dedicated wash basin and brush
- ·Hot soapy water
- ·Drying rack used only for pump parts
- ·Steam bag or sterilizer
- ·Spare duckbills or membranes
Safety warnings
- Do not wash parts directly in the sink basin.
- Never wash or submerge tubing that does not contact milk unless the manual says to.
- Replace valves and membranes on the schedule in the manual; worn parts kill suction.
Step by step
- 1Collect every used part right after the session so nothing dries on.
- 2Rinse in cool water first, then wash in hot soapy water in a dedicated basin with a dedicated brush.
- 3Rinse, then air dry fully on a clean towel or dedicated rack. Do not towel-dry the inside.
- 4Sterilize daily for babies under 3 months, premature, or with a weakened immune system.
- 5Reassemble a complete kit and set it beside the pump ready for the next session.
- 6Flange fit: the nipple should move freely in the tunnel with little or no areola pulled in. Rubbing, blanching or pain means the wrong size.
- 7Log which parts are wearing out and add them to the restock list.
Common mistakes
- Washing in the sink basin
- Reassembling damp parts
- Ignoring flange size when she reports pain
- Running the pump on maximum suction
How do I know I am doing this correctly?
- A clean assembled kit is always ready
- Pumping is comfortable, not painful
- Output is steady between sessions
When to stop and seek help
- · Nipple damage, blanching or bleeding: contact an IBCLC
- · Sudden drop in output with breast pain or fever
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
Finish this tutorial
How confident do you feel doing this on your own?
Clinical review
- Author
- Partnered Postpartum clinical content team
- Reviewer
- S. Whitfield · IBCLC
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-14
- Next review
- 2027-05-14
- Version
- 1.2
- Applies to
- United States and Canada
Evidence sources
- · American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
- · AWHONN postpartum and newborn care standards
- · NHS newborn care guidance
Version history
- · 1.0 initial publication
- · 1.1 cord-care wording aligned to AAP
- · 1.2 added safety-check steps
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.