So what is the verdict with borrowed pumps?

PK2 · May 2009

I read in Baby Bargains that you shouldn't borrow a pump and there were posts yeserday about the accesory kits for a borrowed pump. I have a borrowed pump but now I am worried about cross-contamination. Still don't see how the milk gets in the pump engine????

BetsyDavis · May 2009

I'm using my sisters but she never used her she ended up not breast feeding.?

miss_beckman · May 2009

IMO:

I think sharing/borrowing is gross...

It's like sharing used toilet paper.

MrsBeckO · May 2009

https://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul04p54.html

There are certain pumps that are fine to use second-hand and can have certain parts replaced to make it safe and sterile/clean. Other pumps should not be used 2nd hand... there is good info on the linked site.

rcollier_17 · May 2009

Most of my sisters have shared pumps and I'm using one of theirs. I'm not too worried about it. Plus it saves me about $300!

Conway714 · May 2009

We bought a Medela from a family member, and I just sterilized the parts. It worked just fine, and we were comfortable with it.

Phillywife · May 2009

Is there a way to sterilize them? Hospitals rent them so there has to be right?

PK2 · May 2009

miss_beckman:

I think sharing/borrowing is gross...

It's like sharing used toilet paper.

It's just a machine......the other parts are replaceable so it's not that gross

MrsBeckO · May 2009

Phillywife:
Is there a way to sterilize them? Hospitals rent them so there has to be right?

Hospital Grade pumps are closed systems.. unlike the kinds you can buy at BRU that are open systems. Hospitals replace all the parts the milk touches so that there is NO cross contamination. Even sterilizing the parts of a used open-system pump does not eliminate all the milk particles in the motor/diaphragm.

Seeing how many people have no problem using 2nd hand pumps without even replacing the interchangeable parts is making me ill. Sorry.?

rmcrae · May 2009

miss_beckman:

I think sharing/borrowing is gross...

It's like sharing used toilet paper.

I think that is quite a leap!

PK2 · May 2009

MrsBeckO:

https://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul04p54.html

There are certain pumps that are fine to use second-hand and can have certain parts replaced to make it safe and sterile/clean. Other pumps should not be used 2nd hand... there is good info on the linked site.

Great info! Thanks

KatieTheMagnificent · May 2009

I never had any issues with my borrowed pump. There was never milk in the tubing - I replaced all of the shields, bottles, tubing, membranes, etc.

I want a hospital grade pump. I used one in the NICU with C and that thing nearly took my nips off, LOL!

CA_EAM · May 2009

The FDA clearly says DO NOT SHARE. I was thinking about buying a used closed system and new parts, but changed my mind after seeing this:

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

EnglishMajor03 · May 2009

I borrowed a pump with DD from my cousin and I'm borrowing again from a friend this time around. I will just buy the new accessory kit and clean it, but DH and I couldn't figure out the whole cross contamination either.

rcollier_17 · May 2009

CA_EAM:

The FDA clearly says DO NOT SHARE. I was thinking about buying a used closed system and new parts, but changed my mind after seeing this:

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

This just sounds like a scared woman writing an article. She presents this information as if it's going to happen to any woman who shares a pump. It's like eating the freakin cold meat. Yeah there's a risk, but the risk is so low it's hardly worth the concern! If you're sharing a breast pump with a crack addict, sure you have reason to be concerned, but if you're sharing it with someone you know, who does regular health exams there's really no need for concern here.

I'm SOOOO tired of people letting themselves be controlled by every dinky possible little bad thing that's out there. People don't do their research and take an article like this an use it to be the be-all-end-all on the subject. Do the research. How many women sharing a breast pump ever infect their children with anything?!?!?

C'mon people. Lets be reasonable here.

MrsBeckO · May 2009

rcollier_17:
I'm SOOOO tired of people letting themselves be controlled by every dinky possible little bad thing that's out there. People don't do their research and take an article like this an use it to be the be-all-end-all on the subject. Do the research. How many women sharing a breast pump ever?infect their children with anything?!?!?
C'mon people. Lets be reasonable here.

Not that you were calling me out specifically, but I'd like to say that I've done quite a bit of research and talked to my OB about it, thankyouverymuch, and have decided I will NOT be using a second hand pump, even from my very healthy sister.?

You are entitled to make whatever choices you would like when it comes to your parenting, just as everyone else is. Just because someone decides not to use a second pump does NOT make them unreasonable. Let's not open that can of worms...?

?

rcollier_17 · May 2009

MrsBeckO:
rcollier_17:

I'm SOOOO tired of people letting themselves be controlled by every dinky possible little bad thing that's out there. People don't do their research and take an article like this an use it to be the be-all-end-all on the subject. Do the research. How many women sharing a breast pump ever infect their children with anything?!?!?

C'mon people. Lets be reasonable here.

Not that you were calling me out specifically, but I'd like to say that I've done quite a bit of research and talked to my OB about it, thankyouverymuch, and have decided I will NOT be using a second hand pump, even from my very healthy sister.

You are entitled to make whatever choices you would like when it comes to your parenting, just as everyone else is. Just because someone decides not to use a second pump does NOT make them unreasonable. Let's not open that can of worms...

Absolutely, to each their own. That's totally fine with me. I just know there are so many people out there who don't do the research (kudos to you for doing it) and then let the whole basis of their argument be based off of one example, one article, and then spread that fear based "knowledge" to everyone they know. It's that that annoys me, not the fact that people don't want to share a breast pump. Honestly sharing boob stuff with my sisters does kind of gross me out, but for $300 I'm going to get over it.

arob2009 · May 2009

I had a cousin that bought the $300 medela and used it for a month. Her baby was having all kinds of stomach problems from breastfeeding. They offered me the pump & I said thanks but no thanks. Cross contam+ the fact that the baby had problems with the milk had me worried.

I am renting a pump from the hospital & am super excited with that decision. First, if I have trouble bfing, then I can send it back without spending much. 2nd, they are the best out there. 3rd, next baby, if there is an upgrade, I will get the newest & greatest.

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