Has anyone had problems using a used breast pump? I have heard that they can be contaminated and it is better to buy new. Any suggestions? I have a used one and haven't yet used it yet. Thanks!
I would say as long as you sterilized the containers and tube, you should be fine. I have one that I used from someone else and everything went fine.
I have 2 used Medela pump in styles that I have used for both of my kids now. Just get new tubing etc. I never had a problem whatsoever. I bf my first for a year and worked so I pumped while I was at work. I also have a 6 month old that I am using them for. I don't know how it could get contaminated anyway with the type of pump that I use.
Good luck and congratulations!
A.
I also had a used pump. I heard all the things you are talking about, but after talking with the nurses after delivery of my first child, I decided to use the pump. I made sure I got ALL NEW ACCESORIES, however (like the hose, pump kit that attach to your nipples, bottles that catch the milk, etc). The nurse told me that they I should be OK as long as I have those new things...it would take a lot for the "contaniments" to travel all the way down the hoses to the mechanics of the pump! Oh, I am referring to the Medelia double pump. I think if you buy all new accessories and boil all the parts you can to steralize them you should be fine. The used one I have has worked fine for both my kids.
A little about me: I am a SAHM of two girls, ages 2 yrs and 6 months. I was a teacher pre-children, and hope to return to teaching when my children are in school.
It is true that the pump equipment can lead to contaminated milk, but once the equipment is cleaned and steralized, it is no longer a threat, as long as you continue to clean/steralize between pumps. I borrowed a friends pump and everything was fine. Just boil as much as you can prior to use, and between each use. (I actually didn't boil anything, I just ran it through my dishwasher in a linen bag. Usually that water is hot enough to steralize everything.) In between pumps, I kept the pieces that touched milk in a ziplock bag in the fridge. Then, washed it all everynight to restarilize it for the next days use. If you're still uncomfortable about using someone elses equipment, you could just buy a new flange set to fit the pump. (only 1 or 2 parts actually touch the milk) If you buy just the pieces you need, you won't have to buy a whole new pump. Try here to get just the pieces you need. She is in Andover. http://www.milkmoms.com/
She can get you supplies you need based on the pump you have. It's not always crystal clear in the stores and some stores might not carry the different replacement parts. They want you to buy a whole new pump instead. This gal helped me with mine, and she can also show you how to use the pump if you don't have instructions. The one I borrowed didn't and looking at all those parts was a bit wierd. Good luck. :)
ps. I pumped at work for 8 months and grew quite comfortable with the process, so feel free to e-mail me if you want to chat about it, or have any other questions. :)
The pump will be fine, but you need to buy new hoses and all of the nifty little attachments that go onto it. Those keep the "germs" from the previous pumpers milk, and could make your little one sick.
I have a 10 month old and I am still breastfeeding and I pump every day. I am using the Medela Pump-N-Style and it is used. It was from a person that I knew. She was very clean and did not have any diseases, etc. However, I would recommend buying new hoses (or use the steralization bag to steralize them) and clean all of your parts in the dishwasher with the heat dry cycle before using them. I am an overproducer so I have used my pump a TON from the very first week I brough my daughter home.
We took the breastfeeding class at the Hospital and they said that they can not recommenc using another person's pump, because the manufacturers want to sell pumps and don't want to be responsible.
Hope this helps!
Chris
HI there. I would only use the old pump I would buy all the accessories new. Otherwise there should be no problem using a used pump to save money!
I think all the warnings are just to cover the manufacturer's butts. I use a used breast pump and there is no place the milk touches that couldn't be replaced with new stuff which I actually chose not to do. I knew the previous owner of the pump and know her health stuff etc. I don't think there should be any problem, but I guess I'd be nervous about using it if you don't know who used it before you.
Good luck
Hi A.- I have a newborn (my 3rd) and am using a borrowed pump. I wouldn't worry about it as long as the attachments have been sterilized and that is very easy to do. With my 1st baby I worked for a company that supplied the breast pumps in the "mother's room" and we just brought our own attachments...so with my 2nd & 3rd babies I had no problem borrowing a pump from a friend. My baby was in the NICU for 10 weeks and I used the hospital's pump there as well. I guess what I am trying to say it I think it is ok to borrow! (believe me, my baby is absolutely the most important thing in my life & I would never put her at risk). Best of luck to you as a new mom!
I, personally, would not use a used breast pump. Breast milk is a bodily fluid and I would rather not worry about contamination - especially when it comes to feeding my baby.
S., mom of 3 (bf all of them)
When I had my first little boy I bought a brand new pump because the insistance from our class instructor not to use a used pump. However, when I got it home I realized that all the parts are washable and can be steralized. No milk enters the pump itself. If I could do it over, I would save myself the hundreds of dollars that I spent and gotten a used one.
Just wash all the parts that you can (the instruction booklet will tell you how to steralize them) and wipe the rest down with a disinfectant cloth and you will be fine.
Congrats on the new addition!
You can usually buy new parts for the pump so as long as you buy new hoses/bottles/bit's n peices and just use the mechanical part it's fine!
The only type that are at risk for being contaminated, are types where milk can possibly get inside the machine. I believe most common breast pumps use the "hygeniseal" or some other name for how they are made that the pump provides the suction, but the milk doesn't go anywhere inside the machine. You can sterilize all the pieces, or buy new ones and just use the motor. I used a used pump for a few months before I made the committment to purchasing one, just to ensure that everything was going to go as planned with breastfeeding and pumping before I spent a few hundred on a pump.
