Regarding pump kits, Jane commented:

<< If you are providing the mother with a brand new sealed unsterile kit, it
is
 just that . . . . "unsterile".  You have no idea what germs may be on it.
The
 only way to be sure the kit is germ free is to buy sterile kits >>

Not all hospitals buy sterile kits, and you can bet the farm they aren't
sterilizing them before they give them to patients.

If she washes the pump parts in HOT soapy water (using a good dish detergent)
and a bottle brush, and does NOT wash the tubing (or put them in boiling
water), just washes the outside, you will get them as clean as they need to
be.

Sterilization is NOT necessary.  Cleanliness is.  And if she does it the way
I've suggested, the stuff won't grow bacteria.  It is quicker than boiling,
and I've done the kitchen table research to demonstrate that this will be as
effective as boiling.

Jan Barger