Is it really that bad to use a used pump?

el_twirpo

my sister gave me her breast pump along with a ton of other hand-me-downs (crib, glider, swing, clothes galore). she told me i just needed to buy new valves. i sanitize everything in those steam clean bags after each use.

well, at today's LLL meeting, they said you shouldn't use someone else's pump because tiny particles can get back into the pump motor. it's not a truly closed system like the hospital grade pumps. someone mentioned that a pump can be used by the same mother for another baby, but not by another mother. but that makes me wonder that if particles can get in the motor to cause mold, won't that still happen if it's used by the same mom for baby #2? is it really that bad a thing to use a used pump? am i ok to keep using it or do i need to go buy my own? 

L L CG

How can it get into the pump motor?  Take off the face plate and look at it.  The air doesn't touch the motor. 

el_twirpo

L L CG:

How can it get into the pump motor?  Take off the face plate and look at it.  The air doesn't touch the motor. 

the lactation consultant at the meeting said it can travel back up the tubes into the motor. i think i need to crack open the pump now that i'm paranoid about it. 

MrsAJL

Meh. I wouldn't use a complete strangers breast pump, but I'd use my sister's without question.

L L CG

el_twirpo:

L L CG:

How can it get into the pump motor?  Take off the face plate and look at it.  The air doesn't touch the motor. 

the lactation consultant at the meeting said it can travel back up the tubes into the motor. i think i need to crack open the pump now that i'm paranoid about it. 

I am rolling my eyes.  Not at you.  At the LC. 

amycathy

I've heard this a few times and thought about it myself before I bought mine. From a stranger, I might give it a second thought but from your sister (unless you are concerned about her germs) I wouldn't give it a second thought.

The one perk of buying a new one is that you can use your FSA money to purchase it, just incase you need a way to spend the extra dollars as the year comes to an end.

 

SarahPLiz

I've been using a 2nd hand pump for over 3 months now, and my baby is not sick. I think that if it is properly sanitized, there is no reason for worry, especially if you got it from someone you trust. 

kiarox2002

Meh.  I used a used pump and I wouldn't worry about it at all.  I'm willing to concede that it's theoretically possible for milk to get in the pump but if it was likely at all you would have to store your pump in the fridge.  

el_twirpo

thanks, all! my kid is doing fine, and the pump works fine. so i think i'm going to save that $300.

sundot

sorry to be the bearer of bad news...it's your call. I have a very long story that I will try to keep short.

(short story): I was donating milk to the milk bank. They found MRSA in my milk. I was tested and found clean. DS2 was tested and clean. My pump, on the other hand was determined to be responsible for the MRSA.

(long story) Of course, I washed my hands before and after pumping. I sanitized all the parts for every use. I even bought new tubing (this was my 3rd purchase because I bought new tubing for each baby).

So when I was informed of the MRSA I became even more diligent about washing and sanitizing everything. I even bought new tubes again. I went on an antibiotic and ds2 was checked and just fine. But, my milk still had MRSA. Crazy thing it was only some of the milk. Not all. So, the milk bank used some of my milk but they had to test every ounce (I feel so bad about this).

Anyway, it was determined by my doctors that it had to be my pump. Specifically because it was in my pumped milk supply but not in my blood. And, being that my pump was never cleaned--inside out--after three series of breastfeeding babies it was not too far-fetched.

I would just be careful...I would have used my sister's pump, just like you, but knowing what I know now, I think I would make a different decision.

(hope this made sense--I was typing fast and furious--thoughts run together).

MrsBeckO

I couldn't bring myself to use a used pump, even from my sister.. with new tubing. 

I ended up renting a hospital grade pump for a while because they are closed systems and the only pumps safe to go from user to user (with new personal parts).  

el_twirpo

sundot:

sorry to be the bearer of bad news...it's your call. I have a very long story that I will try to keep short.

(short story): I was donating milk to the milk bank. They found MRSA in my milk. I was tested and found clean. DS2 was tested and clean. My pump, on the other hand was determined to be responsible for the MRSA.

(long story) Of course, I washed my hands before and after pumping. I sanitized all the parts for every use. I even bought new tubing (this was my 3rd purchase because I bought new tubing for each baby).

So when I was informed of the MRSA I became even more diligent about washing and sanitizing everything. I even bought new tubes again. I went on an antibiotic and ds2 was checked and just fine. But, my milk still had MRSA. Crazy thing it was only some of the milk. Not all. So, the milk bank used some of my milk but they had to test every ounce (I feel so bad about this).

Anyway, it was determined by my doctors that it had to be my pump. Specifically because it was in my pumped milk supply but not in my blood. And, being that my pump was never cleaned--inside out--after three series of breastfeeding babies it was not too far-fetched.

I would just be careful...I would have used my sister's pump, just like you, but knowing what I know now, I think I would make a different decision.

(hope this made sense--I was typing fast and furious--thoughts run together).

so your pump was brand new and you just replaced parts for each baby and STILL had MRSA show up? what do they suggest then? new pump for every baby?? 

molliedb

i'd use my sister's pump.  i gave mine to a neighbor between pregnancies and then used it again myself before giving it back to her permanently.  i didnt bat an eye and we are all healthy.

kiarox2002

el_twirpo:

sundot:

so your pump was brand new and you just replaced parts for each baby and STILL had MRSA show up? what do they suggest then? new pump for every baby?? 

Seems like you'd need a new pump for every pumping session.  I guess you could make an argument for only hand expressing, but that would never have worked for me. 

sundot

I'm sorry for the confusion. I just replaced the tubing for each new baby because the tubes were spotty from milk. At times, I wouldn't pay attention and milk would get in the tubes when the pump-bottle was full. I didn't think that the milk would get into the pump and cause a problem.

FWIW: I am pretty confident that the pump was contaminated during my pumping time with child#3. However, there is no way to tell. And, quite honestly, we would have never known about the MRSA if I weren't donating to the Milk Bank. AND, the only reason it's a big deal is that the milk was going to preemies/nicu babies. Babies who are very fragile.

But, on the flip side our pediatrician wasn't too concerened about using my pumped milk for my ds since MRSA is everywhere and ds was without any symptoms and older and healthy.

As for your last question, "a new pump for every baby?" I don't know. I never called Medela to see if they clean pumps. I have been meaning to call about how to dispose of used pumps...(one day). 

I guess I just wanted you to know that using someone else's pump is not without some risk.

HTH--I seriously didn't want to post my experience because I find this embarrassing...but, I think it's more important to know what's possible...