Used breast pump - would you do it?

Chenny555

My sister used her medela pump in style for 8 weeks max.  It has been sitting in storage and she said I can have it.  I understand the official word is that all parts can't be sanitized, but I'm still considering using it.  She's my sister, whom I trust, with no known diseases.  The savings is huge - these pumps are expensive! 

 Would you use a pump from someone you trust or are you buying a new one? 

BoogieMonster629

My friend told me I could borrow hers if I wanted, and I probably will.. pumps are expensive

MamaMayhem

Me? No, but I'm squicked out by things like that.

katie4253

No way.  Please read up on this.  Only closed system pumps are recommended for sharing.  I am sure your sister's is not. 

It is not healthy.  Yes, even if you replace the tubing and horns.

I am sorry, but this has been posted by at least 4 people now and it is shocking to me how little people know and how willing people are to just take peoples used medical equipment. 

Call your insurance company and see if they cover it

When you google "used breast pumps" this is the first link that comes up. 

https://www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml

GracieLou Freebush

I don't think I could do it.  It feels like I'd be letting my sister spit in my LO's milk before feeding them.

I LOVE my sis, she's one of my best friends, but it grosses me out.

ETA:  See if your hospital will let you rent one for a few weeks.  If pumping is working for you, you will feel more justified going out and buying your own.  Or, but a closed system pump (like the Ameda Purely Yours) so you can safely sell it to someone when you're done with it.

jdm7

A co-worker/friend has a breast pump that she offered to lend to me, I told her that that would be great. I'd rather borrow one then go out and have to purchase a breast pump.

Mira06

Nope, I wouldn't do it.  You said it yourself, she has "no known diseases".  What about the unknown? Herpes can remain latent for along time int e body, meaning someone could have it and have no clue, but it could get passed on (via breast milk)   Also thrush can be transmitted via pumps. 

Too much risk for me.  And it just grosses me out. 

Chenny555

I am not ignorant about the issues, I have read up on this extensively and understand the risks.  My intention was to poll opinions out of curiousity, not to have internet strangers make the decision for me.

Chenny555

Also, I didn't mean to sound snarky in my last response.  No snarky intentions at all, I didn't realize it was such a hot topic.

katie4253

Chenny555:

I am not ignorant about the issues, I have read up on this extensively and understand the risks.  My intention was to poll opinions out of curiousity, not to have internet strangers make the decision for me.

I don't understand why you'd take a poll then.  If you know the risks, and are still willing to take them with an infant who has no immune system...go for it...

Kristen61607

Sorry, I wouldn't do it!!!! The thought kind of skeeves me out.

GracieLou Freebush

Mira06:

Nope, I wouldn't do it.  You said it yourself, she has "no known diseases".  What about the unknown? Herpes can remain latent for along time int e body, meaning someone could have it and have no clue, but it could get passed on (via breast milk)   Also thrush can be transmitted via pumps. 

Too much risk for me.  And it just grosses me out. 

Excellent points.

loiskoo

I had the chance of taking a close friend's breast pump too but I had to say no and just buy my own. If you go onto ebay you can find pretty great deals. I found my medela breast pump - metro bag which originally goes for $300+ and got it for $220 which included shipping and handling. If I'm going to worry about if its really worth it to borrow from a friend then I'm better off just spending the money to make sure it is 100% okay for my baby. Do your research, I did, and I realized that I wouldn't want to risk it. 

mpaden

I'd probably do it. They sell replacements for all the parts. I'd probably at least buy replacement tubing, valves, and whatever those other little things are called- membranes, I think. My friend, an OBGYN, gave her breast pump to her sister after she was done with it and they had no issues. If my SIL wanted to, I'd be willing to let her use my pump after I'm finished with it.

GracieLou Freebush

mpaden:

I'd probably do it. They sell replacements for all the parts. I'd probably at least buy replacement tubing, valves, and whatever those other little things are called- membranes, I think. My friend, an OBGYN, gave her breast pump to her sister after she was done with it and they had no issues. If my SIL wanted to, I'd be willing to let her use my pump after I'm finished with it.

With an open system pump, milk (a.k.a. bodily fluids) can back up into the motor.  You can't clean/replace the motor.  

Britt & Scott

I probably wouldn't do it. We purchased a nice Medela pump right before I delivered and with coupons from BRU I was able to get it for more than half off. If you wait to get it when you make purchases to complete your registry, then you get a % off from a completion coupon and we had BRU bucks from making big purchases with our BRU credit card. Anyhow, if you time it right you can get a top of the line pump for a good price.

thetwinkies&Vivi

Mira06:

Nope, I wouldn't do it.  You said it yourself, she has "no known diseases".  What about the unknown? Herpes can remain latent for along time int e body, meaning someone could have it and have no clue, but it could get passed on (via breast milk)   Also thrush can be transmitted via pumps. 

Too much risk for me.  And it just grosses me out. 

Just an FYI; Not generally true, just checked on this. Thought I had heard otherwise. "In most cases, a woman infected with genital herpes can breastfeed without infecting her child. The herpes virus cannot be passed to a baby through breast milk. However, the baby could get infected by touching a blister or sore on the mother's breast. "

source : https://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp054.cfm

Mira06

katieleaisamommytobe:

Mira06:

Nope, I wouldn't do it.  You said it yourself, she has "no known diseases".  What about the unknown? Herpes can remain latent for along time int e body, meaning someone could have it and have no clue, but it could get passed on (via breast milk)   Also thrush can be transmitted via pumps. 

Too much risk for me.  And it just grosses me out. 

Just an FYI; Not generally true, just checked on this. Thought I had heard otherwise. "In most cases, a woman infected with genital herpes can breastfeed without infecting her child. The herpes virus cannot be passed to a baby through breast milk. However, the baby could get infected by touching a blister or sore on the mother's breast. "

source : https://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp054.cfm

 

I'm sorry I should have been more thorough.  I was speaking of the cytomegalovirus.  Which is present in breast milk.  Many women do not show symptoms, and like all other herpes virus it does remain latent in the body for a long period of time. 

eta: typo

thetwinkies&Vivi

Mira06:

katieleaisamommytobe:

Mira06:

Nope, I wouldn't do it.  You said it yourself, she has "no known diseases".  What about the unknown? Herpes can remain latent for along time int e body, meaning someone could have it and have no clue, but it could get passed on (via breast milk)   Also thrush can be transmitted via pumps. 

Too much risk for me.  And it just grosses me out. 

Just an FYI; Not generally true, just checked on this. Thought I had heard otherwise. "In most cases, a woman infected with genital herpes can breastfeed without infecting her child. The herpes virus cannot be passed to a baby through breast milk. However, the baby could get infected by touching a blister or sore on the mother's breast. "

source : https://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp054.cfm

 

I'm sorry I should have been more thorough.  I was speaking of the cytomegalovirus.  Which is present in breast milk.  Many women do not show symptoms, and like all other herpes virus it does remain latent in the body for a long period of time. 

eta: typo

Ah, got you. I like reading up on things like this.