Breast Pump questions

AbbyMae · February 2009

Would you borrow your sister's breast pump? My sister said I could borrow her's and it's some really good brand (Medela maybe? I forgot...). I told her I would rather rent one from the hospital that I know should be able to be sanitized thoroughly or buy a new one myself if bf ends up working out for us.

Also, she has an STD (HPV) which is probably another reason I'm leery...Can you really sanitize the home versions as well as hospital grade pumps?

Am I just being a hyperparanoid first time mom or is it common to borrow pumps?

CallMeKel · February 2009

I would normally not have a problem using my sister's breat pump, but I am not sure how the possible exposure to HPV would affect things. I would ask your Dr. Pedi before using her's.

But in all truthfulness, I'd probably just rent a hospital grade pump to determine how/if breast feeding/pumping even works for you.

houstonkdw · February 2009

I am with Kel. I would just rent until I figured out if it worked for me. I am also a bit of a germ freak at times. I would prefer to have my own breast pump.

KKMMex · February 2009

With my second baby I borrowed a friend's Medela pump and used it for six months, but I'll be honest and say I wouldn't have done that the first time around. I was much more leery (like you said) of germs and whatnot with my first baby. I can totally understand the paranoia of new mothers as I was there once too.

PAGAS · February 2009

I am not sure how the Medela works, but my pump never has any contact with the BM. So if you get new horns, you would be set to go. They gave me a set of Medela horns at the hospital for free, so maybe ask for some...

melissa0312 · February 2009

if its the kind of medela that your milk would never touch the machine, then i'd be ok with it. i rented the symphony from the milk bank at texas children's. you have to buy a kit to go with it, which includes the funnels, tubing, etc. i've seen the parts for sale at target and heb. even using my own equipment i was sanitizing atleast once a day.

i'd be leery of using your sister's with the hpv situation if you'd be using the same parts and pieces she did. you never know on that one.

IMFun · February 2009

and fwiw... HPV cannot be transmitted via breastmilk.

I would borrow it.

KKMMex · February 2009

IMFun:

and fwiw... HPV cannot be transmitted via breastmilk.

I was wondering about that!

The only time breastmilk got into the tubing of my pump was when I pumped so much milk that the bottle was overflowing and it backed up into the horns. On second thought, I might be imagining this. But some moisture did accumulate in the tubing during each pumping session.

rayskit10 · February 2009

for any medela pump, you can buy all new tubes, horns and connecting bits. i would buy those regardless of who i was borrowing from. if she has taken decent care of her pump, there is no need to be concerned. even if she hasn't, if it's been more than a couple days since she used it, any bacteria that might have been in the pump itself has died. with new personal parts you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Karey08 · February 2009

I sent you an email

AbbyMae · February 2009

Thanks so much ladies, I have no clue how the pumps are built or work...I just know they're expensive.

Karey, I emailed you back. Thank you!

PAGAS · February 2009

The pump I have, Lansinoh Double Electric, is reasonably priced and has been a great pump for me. More importantly, milk never gets in the pump or tubing, there is this ingenius valve system.

https://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=154346&catid=26912&aid=337953&aparam=lansinoh_double_electric&CAWELAID=61282986

AggieDee · February 2009

I exclusively pumped with the same pump that PAGAS mentioned - it is a really good pump. I actually borrowed it from my SIL and just bought all new horns, tubing, etc.

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