Community› The Bump Month Clubs› May 2011 Moms
May 2011 Moms
New Discussion

sharing pumps....

maggiedmmaggiedm member
in May 2011 Moms

Do you think its gross??

My friend just had her baby a few months ago and isn't using her Medela Pump any more... I figured I could just sterilize everything or buy new pieces for it.. no bid deal right....?

My husband thinks its gross and wants me to buy my own pump... I don't think he understands that the whole pump comes apart and you can buy new pieces....

Is this gross? should i buy a new one?

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image Pregnancy Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: sharing pumps....

  • Lisa FrankLisa Frank member

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • CarrieLeigh84CarrieLeigh84 member
    I think as long as you replace the parts it's ok, and sterilize it, of course.
    Stillbirth at 23w6d on Sept, 22, 2008 M/C at 5 weeks June 14, 2010 My miracle, James Frederick born May 2, 2011 via C-section
    Report Reply
  • ZTAsunshineZTAsunshine
    Before I bought my Medela Pump I was using the pump my SIL used with her son.  It broke on me though, on the way to DD#1 specialist.  So I got to buy a new one.  I do not think that it is gross, but I can understand why some people do think that way.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Lisa FrankLisa Frank member
    From the Medela website.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • 00tedsgirl00tedsgirl
    I use the one my sister used.  I wouldn't use one from a stranger, though.  The way I see it, if some milk did get into it, what do I care if that milk came from me or my sister?  If milk getting sucked into the machine is that unsanitary, then why do they continue to market a product that they think is? 
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • NJMom050911NJMom050911 member

    I'm using a friends Medela pump, I bought all new parts for it and will sterilize it. I know her very well and feel comfortable with using it. I understand that Medela might have that on their site but don't you think it might be partly to sell more pumps?

    Logan Alexander born May 9th 2011. He has stolen my heart forever. Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BFP #2 05/24/12 EDD 01/31/13 D&C 06/26/12 Missing you. Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers Diagnosed with Ashermans 11/06/12 Surgery 01/18/13, Cleared for TTC 03/01/13 BFP 03/26/13 IT'S A BOY! Please Be Our Rainbow! BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ToBeMrsC6907ToBeMrsC6907
    imageLisa Frank:

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    This!

    My sister also had a Medela PISA and after about 3 or 4 months, had milk back up into the system, and it ended up causing black mold.  Gross.

    If you are concerned about cost, check with your insurance- mine was covered as DME (durable medical equipment) 100% with a doctor's script for one.  My sister's was covered at 80%.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • NJMom050911NJMom050911 member
    imageToBeMrsC6907:
    imageLisa Frank:

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    This!

    My sister also had a Medela PISA and after about 3 or 4 months, had milk back up into the system, and it ended up causing black mold.  Gross.

    If you are concerned about cost, check with your insurance- mine was covered as DME (durable medical equipment) 100% with a doctor's script for one.  My sister's was covered at 80%.

    This is very concerning. What if you don't notice this mold and keep feeding your child? This was her pump not a shared one so in this case it didn't matter her baby could have gotten sick with a brand new pump...

    Logan Alexander born May 9th 2011. He has stolen my heart forever. Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BFP #2 05/24/12 EDD 01/31/13 D&C 06/26/12 Missing you. Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers Diagnosed with Ashermans 11/06/12 Surgery 01/18/13, Cleared for TTC 03/01/13 BFP 03/26/13 IT'S A BOY! Please Be Our Rainbow! BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • mcwhittakermcwhittaker member
    imageLisa Frank:

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    This

    Your husband is right. 

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Anniversary
    Report Reply
  • Lisa FrankLisa Frank member
    imagekathygrzywnowicz:
    imageToBeMrsC6907:
    imageLisa Frank:

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    This!

    My sister also had a Medela PISA and after about 3 or 4 months, had milk back up into the system, and it ended up causing black mold.  Gross.

    If you are concerned about cost, check with your insurance- mine was covered as DME (durable medical equipment) 100% with a doctor's script for one.  My sister's was covered at 80%.

    This is very concerning. What if you don't notice this mold and keep feeding your child? This was her pump not a shared one so in this case it didn't matter her baby could have gotten sick with a brand new pump...

    It's a hot point of contention amongst many breastfeeding advocates, LC's etc.  Medela is catching a lot of flack for this, but as long as they continue to market an unclosed system, the potential for this is always there.  Take a few minutes and lurk around on the BF'ing board. Many girls there have posted links to sources that diss Medela in a really bad way. I don't have the time to find the links for you, but search around. It's a main reason I will only ever use a Medela pump purchased by myself.  And I'm not using the one I used in 2008. I bought a brand new one instead.  If I didn't have all the parts and accessories, I would have purchased the Ameda Purely Yours system.  OP, that would actually be the one I would get if I'm you.

    Take it for it's worth, I guess.  

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Lisa FrankLisa Frank member
    imageToBeMrsC6907:
    imageLisa Frank:

    Medela pumps are not "closed" systems and on their website they recommend that you do not, under any circumstances share a pump or purchase one used.  Milk can back up into the pump (it's happened to me) and make it unsanitary.

    So, no.  I wouldn't.  If it were a closed system like Ameda, I would say go for it, but with a Medela, there is no way I would.  

    This!

    My sister also had a Medela PISA and after about 3 or 4 months, had milk back up into the system, and it ended up causing black mold.  Gross.

    If you are concerned about cost, check with your insurance- mine was covered as DME (durable medical equipment) 100% with a doctor's script for one.  My sister's was covered at 80%.

    And on this same note, you can now also use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) money to purchase pumps and accessories. That's what I did to buy myself a new one for this baby.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • mcwhittakermcwhittaker member

    United Healthcare does not cover breast pumps under durable medical equipment FYI :)

    I called and asked.

    It should be covered if you're using a flexible spending account. 

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Anniversary
    Report Reply
  • nickelbabinickelbabi
    I believe that starting in 2011, you now need a prescription in order to have your flexible spending account reimburse you for a pump (or any other OTC you used to be able to use your FSA for). I'm going to ask my Dr. to write me a prescription for all of the breast feeding OTC supplies.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Lisa FrankLisa Frank member

    imagenickelbabi:
    I believe that starting in 2011, you now need a prescription in order to have your flexible spending account reimburse you for a pump (or any other OTC you used to be able to use your FSA for). I'm going to ask my Dr. to write me a prescription for all of the breast feeding OTC supplies.

    No prescription is needed according to the IRS.  There is a new law in 2011 that requires you to have a script for OTC items, but this doesn't apply here since it's considered a medical device and not OTC.  Same goes for diabetes testing equipment and that sort of thing.  

     

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • PeejeePeejee
    imagekathygrzywnowicz:

    I'm using a friends Medela pump, I bought all new parts for it and will sterilize it. I know her very well and feel comfortable with using it. I understand that Medela might have that on their site but don't you think it might be partly to sell more pumps?

     

    Honestly? no. I don't tend to assume that people who are using something that equates to medical equipment are telling you to not swap said equipment just so they can share more.

     I mean, you can sterilize a cath tube but I don't think you'd want to share one your friend had just because it was free :P

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"