Once you’re done pumping, you have several good options for that breast pump: save it for a future baby, donate usable parts to a local shelter, recycle it as electronic waste, or repurpose the bottles and accessories around the house. The right choice depends on the type of pump you have, its condition, and whether you plan to use it again.
Keep It for a Future Pregnancy
If another baby is in your plans, storing the pump properly now will save you the hassle of getting a new one later. Before packing it away, give every part that touched milk a thorough cleaning and sanitizing. Disassemble the flanges, valves, membranes, connectors, and collection bottles, then wash them in a dedicated basin (not directly in the sink). Sanitize by boiling the parts for five minutes or running them through a microwave steam bag. Let everything air-dry completely on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel. Rubbing parts dry with a cloth can transfer germs, so hands off until they’re fully dry on their own.
Once everything is bone dry, store the pump and accessories in a sealed bag or container in a cool, dry place. Moisture left on parts before storage is the fastest route to mold. If your pump has a rechargeable battery, check the manufacturer’s guidance on long-term storage, as some recommend storing the battery at a partial charge rather than fully drained or fully charged. When you pull the pump out months or years later, plan on replacing the small silicone parts (valves, membranes, and tubing) before using it again. These wear out even when sitting unused and are inexpensive to replace.
Replacing Worn Parts While You’re Still Pumping
If you’re still actively pumping and noticing weaker suction or slower output, worn parts are usually the culprit. Valves and membranes should be replaced every two to four weeks if you pump four or more times a day. For less frequent pumping, every two months is a reasonable schedule. Tubing should be swapped out if you see residue that won’t wash away, cloudiness, or any sign of mold. Replacing a cheap valve can feel like getting a brand-new pump.
Cleaning Between Sessions
The CDC recommends cleaning every part that contacts milk after each use. Rinse under running water first to clear residual milk, then wash with soap in a clean basin. Sanitizing (by boiling or steaming) is recommended at least once a day for extra germ removal. If you use a dishwasher with a hot-water wash and a heated drying cycle or sanitizing setting, that counts as both cleaning and sanitizing in one step.
Why You Shouldn’t Give Your Pump to a Friend
This is the most important thing to understand before passing a pump along. The FDA classifies most breast pumps as single-user devices. That means the pump itself, not just the accessories, is intended for one person only. Even with new flanges and tubing, there is no way to guarantee a single-user pump has been fully decontaminated between users. Pumps reused by different mothers can carry infectious particles that could make a parent or baby sick.
The exception is hospital-grade, multi-user pumps. These are specifically engineered with barriers that prevent milk from entering the motor or internal tubing. Hospitals and lactation consultants rent these out, and each renter buys a fresh accessory kit. If your pump is a standard personal model (the kind most people get through insurance), it falls in the single-user category.
You may see the terms “closed system” and “open system” used online. A closed-system pump has a barrier that prevents milk from overflowing into the motor housing. An open-system pump does not. These aren’t official medical definitions, and different manufacturers use them inconsistently. Having a closed system does not make a personal pump safe to share. The FDA’s single-user guidance still applies.
Donating Accessories and Bottles
While the pump motor itself shouldn’t be shared, many of the accessories that come with it can help someone else. Bottles, storage containers, and other hard plastic parts in like-new condition are often accepted by women’s shelters, family crisis centers, and local breastfeeding support organizations. Some community groups hold monthly collection events where families bring used pump supplies. Parts in good shape get donated, and everything else gets routed to electronics recyclers.
If you’re involved in a parenting group or breastfeeding support circle, your old supplies can also serve as teaching tools for new parents learning to assemble, use, and clean pump equipment.
Selling a Used Pump
Reselling a breast pump is technically possible but comes with complications. Major platforms like Facebook Marketplace classify breast pumps as medical devices and may block or remove your listing. Some sellers work around this in private buy/sell groups, but the FDA’s guidance remains clear: single-user pumps are not designed to be passed between users. If you do sell, be transparent about the pump’s history, and know that the buyer assumes real health risks that cleaning alone cannot eliminate.
Recycling the Motor and Parts
No major breast pump manufacturer currently operates a take-back recycling program. Medela previously offered one but discontinued it. Brands like Ameda, Elvie, Lansinoh, Motif Medical, and Pumpables all recommend recycling the pump motor at a local electronics or e-waste recycling center, the same places that accept old laptops and phones.
For the accessories, here’s how it breaks down:
- Hard plastic parts (bottles, flanges, connectors): Check the recycling number stamped on the plastic. Many are polypropylene, which some curbside programs accept. If yours doesn’t, a local recycling drop-off center likely will.
- Silicone parts (tubing, valves, membranes, flange inserts): These cannot be recycled. If they show any damage, toss them in the trash.
- The motor unit and power adapter: These are electronic waste. Drop them at any location that accepts e-waste. Most cities and counties have designated drop-off sites, and many big-box electronics stores offer free e-waste bins near the entrance.
Repurposing Bottles and Accessories
Breast pump bottles are surprisingly handy around the house once you clean them thoroughly. Their small size and tight-sealing lids make them useful for storing homemade sauces, salad dressings, or small portions of baby food in the fridge. They also work well as travel containers for toiletries. Storage bags can organize small hardware like screws and beads, or portion out dry snacks for toddlers on the go.
Some parents turn their pump supplies into a keepsake, assembling a shadow box with the pump, bottles, and other items from their feeding journey. It’s a niche idea, but for parents who found pumping to be a significant chapter of early parenthood, it can be a meaningful way to mark that time.