Is the “fridge method” for pump parts a safe hack?
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The pumping fridge hack is touted as a time-saver for mamas, but CDC guidelines raise safety concerns.
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Any mom who’s ever pumped knows how time-consuming it can be—especially if you do it multiple times a day or exclusively pump. Even with all the amazing pumping gear available that does make things easier, the constant washing, rinsing, sterilizing and drying feels never-ending—and honestly, there are already so many other things on the to-do list.
So it’s no surprise that any tip to save a few minutes becomes appealing. Enter the fridge hack: not a new invention, but an old trick that circulates regularly in mom groups and on social media as a time-saving strategy for pumping mothers. But is the fridge method for pump parts actually safe for your baby?
Before we get into the fridge hack specifically, it helps to know the basics of breast milk storage. (For a full rundown, check out our guide to breast milk storage guidelines and the AAP’s updated breast milk storage recommendations.) Here’s what to know about the fridge hack.
What is the pumping fridge hack?
The fridge hack is a pumping storage method where instead of washing and sterilizing all the pumping parts after each session, you give them a quick rinse and put them straight back into the fridge in a zip-top bag or other airtight container.
The idea is that the cold temperature prevents bacterial growth, so you can reuse the parts the next time you pump, possibly repeating this multiple times a day before you fully wash everything at the end of the day. Moms who use this technique do so as a time-saving measure—especially on a quick break at work or on the go.
What does the CDC say about safety?
What does the CDC say about the fridge hack?
The CDC’s guidance on breast pump hygiene is clear: the CDC and most breast pump manufacturers recommend cleaning pump parts thoroughly after every use to protect babies from germs. The fridge hack is not their recommended best practice.
That said, the CDC does acknowledge that life happens. If you can’t do a full clean between sessions, they say you can rinse the parts (or wipe with a clean paper towel if there’s no sink), place them in a sealed bag, and refrigerate them for a few hours between uses to help slow bacterial growth.
The key word there is slow. Refrigeration doesn’t stop bacterial growth—it just slows it down. And as the CDC explicitly states, no studies have confirmed whether rinsing and refrigerating pump parts between sessions effectively limits bacteria enough to be a safe alternative to washing after every use.
Note: If your baby is immunocompromised or under 2 months old, the CDC does not recommend using this method at all and instead recommends washing parts after each session.
What are the safety concerns with the fridge hack?
The CDC guidelines exist to limit your baby’s exposure to bacteria that can grow on pump parts that aren’t cleaned properly. While breast milk naturally contains antimicrobial components that give it some built-in protection—lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and other bioactive compounds that researchers have studied in more detail in recent years (including a 2019 study in Scientific Reports)—those protective properties diminish over time. They’re also present in the milk itself, not necessarily on the surfaces of pump parts.
Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, but residual milk on pump parts can still harbor bacteria even in the cold. And because no controlled studies have looked specifically at whether the fridge hack keeps contamination levels low enough to be safe, the CDC errs on the side of caution.
If you use the fridge hack, here’s how to do it right
If you’re going to use the fridge method for pump parts—because sometimes that’s just the reality of life—here’s what the guidance suggests for doing it as safely as possible:
- Rinse parts right after pumping. Don’t just drop them straight in the fridge without rinsing—rinse with warm water to remove milk residue before refrigerating. If you’re somewhere without a sink, wipe with a clean paper towel.
- Use a clean, airtight container. A sealed zip-top bag or container with a tight lid protects parts from other fridge contents and reduces the chance of cross-contamination.
- Keep it to a few hours—not a full day. The CDC says ‘a few hours between uses,’ not an all-day storage strategy. Wash everything thoroughly at least once a day, without exception.
- Wash your hands. Before handling pump parts, before pumping, every time.
- Skip this method for high-risk babies. If your baby is under 2 months old, premature, or immunocompromised, this isn’t the time to cut corners on cleaning.
Are there other ways to save time?
If you’re pumping multiple times daily, you can also save time by purchasing several sets of pump parts to keep on hand. This way, you don’t have to go through a full clean after each session but wash everything at the end of the day.
Specialized pump wipes are also an option when you need something fast or if you don’t have access to a sink and soapy water (although wipes still don’t take the place of a thorough clean).
The fridge hack is one of those things you’ll hear conflicting opinions about. Just like some mamas choose to eat deli meat or sushi while pregnant, we all have different levels of risk tolerance. But based on the CDC guidelines, your best bet is to play it safe and clean your pump parts after each use (and you can always chat with your pediatrician if you want to discuss it further).
A version of this article was originally published on August 19th, 2023. It has been updated.
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