What does it mean to be "bacteriostatic" or "bacteriocidal" or "antiseptic" "antibacterial" or "antifungal"? We have a tendency to use a lot of terms interchangeably which are really not the same thing. The term "sterilization" refers to the absence of all organisms - the good guys as well as the bad guys. Washing (even in a dishwasher) does not achieve "sterilization." Gas sterilization or boiling comes closer if the goal is really "sterilization." In my opinion, mothers should not be given the impression that a dishwasher will "sterilize" anything. Sterile technique would also require using sterile gloves to touch the pump parts afterwards in order to maintain "sterility". Using normal cleaning methods for pump parts, the best we get is "clean", "sanitized", "pathogen-reduced" "antiseptic" ............... well, anyway...... For premie babies, or those who are immunocompromised, it may be a good thing to boil or gas sterilize. What do you think, Jennifer, Nancy, Jack? Or any other microbiologists or docs on the list. Deanne, BsN IBCLC NICU *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html