In hospital we tell moms to wash all the "personal parts" each time,
even initially when there doesn't seem to be anything there.  It is
important to take it COMPLETELY apart.  For the Medela this means taking
off the yellow valve and the white membrane, washing and rinsing
thoroughtly, then reassempling those parts to the flange to dry so they
don't lose the small parts.  I have seen moms who haven't done this and
their valve is virtually "glued" to the flange by dried milk!
As for problems rinsing, here is a trick I tell patients.  First, use
the plastic "box" the kit comes in for a dishpan in the hospital (fill
it about half full of warm water).  That way mom isn't washing the pump
parts in the same sink where everyone has been washing their hands.  We
give mom a specimen bottle with dish soap (we use Joy on recommendation
of our infection control nurse because it contains a little alcohol).  I
tell her to dip her first two fingers into the soap just up to the first
joint.  Let the soap run off her fingers for a few seconds, then swish
the fingers inthe water.  The amount that clings to her fingers is just
right.  If she pours soap into the "dishpan" she usually uses too much
and it is a hassle getting it all rinsed off.

 Winnie

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