why can't breast pumps be resold?

SanHawaii08

i've seen a few mentions of this, and i couldn't come up with a good reason why not.  if everything is cleaned, what's the big deal?  

(i don't know much about pumping...yet...)

MauiWedding08

most of the pumps you buy for home use are "open systems" so there is a possibility that milk could get into the pump.  It's hard to explain without seeing it, but the tubing that connects the pump motor to the valve thingy cycles back and forth to form the suction. 

That said, I have overflowed my pump bottle (I was reading and forgot to pay attention) and while it made a big mess on me it didn't even get close to the pump motor (that I could see with the naked eye). Plus since there is a possibility of infection and disease getting in the pump and then contaminating all new milk I would guess that repeated use would be doing that anyways - the theory is that since it's a one user item at least it's your own disease??  gross.

My friend is using her sister's PISA b/c they just decided that it wouldn't be much different than putting it aside and using it for a second child.  I would probably do the same if my sister or a close friend needed it and I was done with mine (my friend lost her job and didn't have any money to buy a pump and insurance didn't cover it).  She just bought new tubes and all new valve/flange parts.  If my insurance covers it for any furture children I would probably get a new one - sad to think the old one would be "useless"

this probably explains it better https://www.breastpumpsdirect.com/open_system_breastpumps_vs_closed_system_breastpumps_a/147.htm

inamra

I may be wrong, but I think that only applies to the older pump systems. All the ones I've looked at when purchasing mine were closed systems, so that you're able to sterilize all the parts that touches you or the milk, so there is supposed to be no issues purchasing them second-hand. I think that's why they have pumps for rent at the hospital and even my OBG told me I could purchase one used from Craigslist. But I still ended up purchasing one new anyway.

sanae78

inamra:

I think that's why they have pumps for rent at the hospital and even my OBG told me I could purchase one used from Craigslist.

The hospital grade pumps are closed systems and I think some companies make personal pumps that are closed systems.

The Medela personal ones are not, though.  But I would use one if it belonged to a close friend or family member.  I've never gotten milk in the tubing, just condensation.

inamra

Hm, you're right, I can't seem to find any mention of a closed system on the Medela pumps. But mine is Lanisoh and it specifically mentioned that it's a close system. It's also cheaper than the Medela ones. I like it a lot thus far. It's a little noisy but it does the job well.

mrspresley

yes my understanding is that hospital grades pumps are closed and therefore can be shared but most pumps that people buy from stores are open.... and even though you don't see milk getting in, i have read that microparticles can get in and that's why you shouldn't share them or used a used one.  that said, if you know that you are disease free then there is no harm in saving your pump to use for the next child.

regardless...if you are BFing then you should think of all the money you are saving on formula (i heard one LC say $3k per year), so a few hundred dollars on a breast pump isn't that much.  i got my PISA on sale for $150 but i know you can regularly find them for $200-230.  the first PISA i got was $200 after 8% bing cashback on "buy it now" purchases on ebay...when i found the one for $150 i bought that one and sold the ebay one on CL

(btw - congrats on the house!  i just read your post on TN)

SanHawaii08

ah, got it.  thanks   just seemed so wasteful to me, especially for the people who buy them and then don't end up using them for whatever reason - it's sad that they're hard to get rid of.

mrspresley:

regardless...if you are BFing then you should think of all the money you are saving on formula (i heard one LC say $3k per year), so a few hundred dollars on a breast pump isn't that much. 

good point!

mrspresley:

(btw - congrats on the house!  i just read your post on TN)

thanks!!  we're super excited, we're closing in 3.5 weeks!

myday1708

One downer note of caution.....

My friend's mom is a lactation consultant and she forbaid my friend from getting a used pump or even using her sister's pump.

The reason is that if your pump gets contaminated with a disease that you have, your baby is OK but another baby would not be. 

Anyway, my friend's mom said knows someone where the mother used her sister's old pump and her baby caught a disease and died.

Horrible and very rare, but is that a chance you want to take to save $200-300? This would be for open systems, but not sure if I would risk it even with a closed system... 

MrsZiz

sanae78:

The Medela personal ones are not, though.  But I would use one if it belonged to a close friend or family member.  I've never gotten milk in the tubing, just condensation.

Christine is right, the Medela ones are not recommended to use for multiple people... THAT said, I have NEVER gotten milk in the tubing, just condensation so if I knew then what I know now, I would 100% buy a used one. It could have saved me $150+ dollars! I got a good deal on mine but still, it's the point. Part of me thinks that this is another way for the company to make money. My milk has never gotten into the tubing which means it's not come close to the pump at all!  

mrspresley

SanHawaii08:

ah, got it.  thanks   just seemed so wasteful to me, especially for the people who buy them and then don't end up using them for whatever reason - it's sad that they're hard to get rid of.

you can start out with a cheapie manual pump and if BFing pans out for you, then get a pump. or rent a hospital grade pump for the first few weeks and then buy

bradandjodie

wow, i didn't realize there was so much at risk. I was talking to my sister and she was planning on giving me her pump but said i could probably buy new tubes to use.  Anyone know if they sell the tubes seperatly?

bradandjodie

p.s. not really sure how it works but is there any way to just disinfect the tubes?

mie.

bradandjodie:

wow, i didn't realize there was so much at risk. I was talking to my sister and she was planning on giving me her pump but said i could probably buy new tubes to use.  Anyone know if they sell the tubes seperatly?

I have a Medela pump and yes, you can buy the tubing.  They recommend that you sterilize the tubing before the first use.