Infant Feeding Hygiene | Beauty and Wellness - Class 6 PDF Download

Babies grow quickly in the first year of life by drinking breast milk or infant formula. Careful cleaning, sanitizing, and storage of your baby’s bottles and your breast pump parts (if you pump milk) can prevent germs from contaminating the milk you feed your baby. Visit the following pages to learn more about how to keep your breast pump clean and how to clean, sanitize, and store baby bottles to help keep your baby healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cleaning Infant Feeding Items

• Basics
• Cleaning
• Sanitizing
• Storage

Below you will find answers to commonly asked questions about cleaning, sanitizing, and storing infant feeding items to help prevent germs from contaminating the milk you feed your baby. If your baby is hospitalized, follow your health care provider’s instructions for cleaning infant feeding items.

Basics

What are infant feeding items?

Infant feeding items include bottles and the nipples, rings, and caps that go with them. Certain bottles also may include valves or membranes. Some infants may be fed with a syringe, medicine cup, spoon, or supplemental nursing system.

Cleaning

How often should baby bottles be cleaned?

Bottles should be cleaned after every feeding. If your baby does not finish drinking a bottle within 2 hours, throw away the unfinished formula. Germs can grow quickly if breast milk or formula is added to a partially used bottle, or if a used bottle is only rinsed, rather than cleaned.

How do I clean infant feeding items in the dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe)?

(i) Take apart. Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).

(ii) Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water. The water can be warm or cold.

(iii) Place bottle parts and other feeding items in the dishwasher. (Be sure to place small items inside a closed-top basket or mesh laundry bag so they don’t end up in the dishwasher filter.) If possible, run the dishwasher using hot water and a heated drying cycle (or sanitizing setting); this can help kill more germs.

(iv) Remove from dishwasher. Wash your hands with soap and water before removing and storing cleaned items.

• If items are not completely dry, place them on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel to air-dry thoroughly before storing in an area free of dust or dirt. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

How do I clean infant feeding items by hand?

(i) Wash hands. Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds.

(ii) Take apart. Separate all bottle parts (for example, bottles, nipples, caps, rings, valves).

(iii) Rinse bottle parts and any other feeding items by holding them under running water. Do not set them in the sink. The water can be warm or cold.

(iv) Wash feeding items.

• Place all items in a clean basin or container used only to clean infant feeding items. Do not wash directly in the sink because it may contain germs that could contaminate these items.
• Fill wash basin with hot water and add soap.
• Scrub items using a clean brush that is used only to clean infant feeding items.
• Squeeze water through nipple holes to be sure they get clean.

(v) Rinse again. Rinse by holding items under running water, or by holding completely under fresh water in a separate basin that is used only for cleaning infant feeding items.

(vi) Allow to air-dry. Place bottle parts, wash basin, and bottle brush on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Allow to air dry thoroughly.

Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

(vii) Clean wash basin and bottle brush. Rinse the wash basin and brush well and allow them to air-dry after each use. Wash them every few days, either in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle (if they are dishwasher-safe) or by hand with soap and warm water. If your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer), wash basin and bottle brush after every use.

How do I clean brushes and basins used to wash bottles?
You can clean brushes and basins in a dishwasher if they are dishwasher-safe, or wash them by hand with soap and hot water. They can be sanitized with one of the following methods: boil, steam, or soak in bleach solution if recommended by the item’s manufacturer. If you steam an item, be sure the entire item fits in the steamer.

Do I need to clean infant formula containers?

• No studies have shown that babies have become sick from contamination on the outside of an infant formula container. Also, powdered infant formula is less likely to become contaminated if it stays dry. Avoid using liquid cleaners on infant formula containers to help prevent contaminating powdered formula inside the container.
• If you want to clean the formula container, use a disinfectant wipe or paper towel sprayed with disinfectant to clean the outside of the container and lid before it is opened for the first time. Do not submerge the container or place it under running water. Wait until the surfaces are completely dry before opening the container. Do not clean the inside of the infant formula container.

Do I need to clean infant formula scoops?
When powdered formula stays dry, it’s less likely to get contaminated. To keep liquids away from the powdered formula, don’t clean the formula scoop unless it gets dirty. If the scoop was dropped on the floor or otherwise soiled, clean it as carefully as you would your baby’s bottles and allow it to air-dry completely before placing it in the formula container.

Sanitizing

How often should baby bottles be sanitized?

If your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer), sanitizing feeding items daily (or more often) is particularly important. Daily sanitizing of feeding items may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if those items are cleaned carefully after each use.

How do I sanitize infant feeding items for extra protection?

• Note: If you use a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle (or sanitizing setting) to clean infant feeding items, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary.
• For extra germ removal, sanitize feeding items at least once daily. Sanitizing is particularly important when your baby is younger than 3 months, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system. Daily sanitizing of feeding items may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if those items are cleaned carefully after each use.
• Before sanitizing, make sure you have cleaned feeding items, bottle brushes, and wash basins using one of the methods above. Sanitize all items (even the bottle brush and wash basin) by using one of the following options. Check with the item’s manufacturer about which method to use.

(i) Boil

• Place disassembled feeding items into a pot and cover with water.
• Put the pot over heat and bring to a boil.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Remove items with clean tongs.

(ii) Steam

• Place disassembled items in microwave or plug-in steam system and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sanitizing, cooling, and drying the items.

(iii) Bleach: (if you can’t boil, steam, or use a dishwasher)

• Prepare a bleach solution of 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon (16 cups) of water in a clean wash basin.
• Put all items completely underwater. Make sure the solution touches all parts and there are no air bubbles in the bottles.
• Squeeze solution through nipple holes.
• Soak items in solution for at least 2 minutes.
• Remove with clean hands or tongs. Do not rinse because germs could get back onto the sanitized items. Any remaining bleach will break down quickly as it dries and will not hurt your baby. This process is similar to what is done to sanitize dishes in restaurants.

(iv) After sanitizing, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Allow to air-dry thoroughly before storing. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

Storage

How should I store infant feeding items safely?

Allow the clean feeding items, bottle brushes, and wash basins to air-dry thoroughly before storing to help prevent germs and mold from growing. Once the items are completely dry, put them back together and store them in a clean, protected area to prevent contamination.

• Wash hands. Wash hands well with soap and water.
• Put back together. Put together the clean, dry bottle parts.
• Store safely. Place reassembled bottles and other feeding items, wash basin, and dry bottle brush in a clean, protected area such as inside a closed kitchen cabinet that is used only to store clean dishes.

Why should I air-dry infant feeding items on a clean towel instead of using a drying rack?

Air-drying infant feeding items on a clean dish towel or paper towel is probably more hygienic than using a drying rack. Drying racks may trap moisture, allow mold and germs to grow, and be difficult to clean. If you prefer to use a drying rack, use it to dry only your infant’s feeding items. Every few days (or at least daily if your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system), be sure to wash it, sanitize it, and allow it to dry thoroughly to reduce contamination.

How to Keep Your Breast Pump Kit Clean: The Essentials

Providing breast milk is one of the best things you can do for your baby’s health and development. Pumping your milk is one way to provide breast milk to your baby. However, germs can grow quickly in breast milk or breast milk residue that remains on pump parts. Following these steps can keep your breast pump clean and help protect your baby from these germs. If your baby was born prematurely or has other health concerns, your baby’s health care providers may have more recommendations for pumping breast milk safely.

Before each use:

• Wash hands. Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Assemble. Assemble clean pump kit. Inspect whether the pump kit or tubing has become moldy or soiled during storage. If your tubing is moldy, discard and replace immediately.
• Clean if using a shared pump.Clean pump dials, power switch, and countertop with disinfectant wipe.

After every use:

1. Store milk safely: Cap milk collection bottle or seal milk collection bag, label with date and time, and immediately place in a refrigerator, freezer, or cooler bag with ice packs.
If milk collection container will be stored at a hospital or childcare facility, add name to the label

2. Clean pumping area: Especially if using a shared pump, clean the dials, power switch, and countertop with disinfectant wipes.

3. Take apart and inspect pump kit: Take apart breast pump tubing and separate all parts that come in contact with breast/breast milk (for example, flanges, valves, membranes, connectors, and milk collection bottles).

4. Rinse pump kit: Rinse breast pump parts that come into contact with breast/breast milk under running water to remove remaining milk

5. Clean pump kit: As soon as possible after pumping, clean pump parts that come into contact with breast/breast milk in one of the following ways.

(i) Clean by hand

• Use a wash basin: Place pump parts in a clean wash basin used only for washing infant feeding equipment. Do not place pump parts directly in the sink, because germs in sinks or drains could contaminate the pump.
• Add soap and water: Fill wash basin with hot water and add soap.
• Scrub: Scrub items according to pump kit manufacturer’s guidance. If using a brush, use a clean one that is used only to clean infant feeding items.
• Rinse: Rinse by holding items under running water, or by submerging in fresh water in a separate basin that is used only for cleaning infant feeding items.
• Dry: Allow to air-dry thoroughly. Place pump parts, wash basin, and bottle brush on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

(ii) Clean in a dishwasher (if recommended by pump kit manufacturer).

• Wash: Place disassembled pump parts in dishwasher. Be sure to place small items into a closed-top basket or mesh laundry bag so they don’t end up in the dishwasher filter. If possible, run the dishwasher using hot water and a heated drying cycle (or sanitizing setting); this can help kill more germs.
• Remove from dishwasher: Wash your hands with soap and water before removing and storing cleaned items. If items are not completely dry, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel to air-dry thoroughly before storing. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

6. Clean wash basin and bottle brush. If you use a wash basin or bottle brush when cleaning your pump parts, rinse them well and allow them to air-dry after each use. Consider washing them every few days, either in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, if they are dishwasher-safe, or by hand with soap and warm water.

For Extra Protection, Sanitize

For extra germ removal, sanitize pump parts at least once daily. Sanitizing is especially important if your baby is less than 3 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer). Daily sanitizing of pump parts may not be necessary for older, healthy babies, if the parts are cleaned carefully after each use. Sanitize all items (even the bottle brush and wash basin!) by using one of the following options.

Note: If you use a dishwasher with hot water and a heating drying cycle (or sanitizing setting) to clean infant feeding items, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary.

(i) Clean first: Pump parts, bottle brushes, and wash basins should be sanitized only after they have been cleaned.

(ii) Sanitize: Sanitize the pump kit, bottle brushes, and wash basins using one of the following options. Check manufacturer’s instructions about whether items may be steamed or boiled.

(a) Steam:

• Use a microwave or plug-in steam system according to the manufacturer’s directions.

(b) Boil:

• Place disassembled items that are safe to boil into a pot and cover with water.
• Put the pot over heat and bring to a boil.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Remove items with clean tongs.

(iii) Allow to air-dry thoroughly: Place sanitized pump parts, wash basin, and bottle brush on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Do not use a dish towel to rub or pat items dry because doing so may transfer germs to the items.

Store Safely Until Needed

Allow the clean pump parts, bottle brushes, and wash basins to air-dry thoroughly before storing to help prevent germs and mold from growing. Once completely dry, the items should be stored in a clean, protected area to prevent contamination during storage.

• Wash hands: Wash hands well with soap and water.
• Reassemble: Put together the clean, dry pump parts.
• Store safely: Place reassembled pump kit in a clean, protected area such as inside an unused, sealable food storage bag. Store wash basins and bottle brushes in a clean area.

Key Tips for Handling Breast Pump Tubing

• When used correctly, breast pump tubing does not touch the pumped milk and does not need to be cleaned routinely.
• Keep a spare set of tubing on hand in case the set you are using gets soiled or damaged.
• If your tubing has water droplets in it at the end of a pumping session, disconnect the tubing from the flange/pump kit, but leave it attached to the pump. Run the pump for a few more minutes until the tubing is dry.
• If your tubing has milk or mold in it, throw it away immediately because it is difficult to clean properly. Replace it with a new set of tubing, and check to see if the problem happened because
  • The valves or membranes need to be replaced.
  • The tubing was attached to the pump incorrectly.
• If the outside of your tubing is soiled, wipe it with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe.