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Used Medela breast pump? Safe?

laura3462laura3462 member
in 2nd Trimester

I found a Medela (pump in style) breat pump at a consigment store for $90 vs $240 new. The store owner said it normal for people to buy used breast pumps. What are your thoughts on this issue? The Medela website states:

Personal use pumps that you buy at the store are personal care items, much like a toothbrush. Personal use pumps should never be resold or shared among mothers. The Medela Pump In Style Advanced has an internal diaphragm that cannot be removed, replaced, or fully sterilized. Therefore, the risk of cross-contamination associated with re-using a previously owned pump such as the Pump In Style cannot be dismissed, even when using a new kit or tubing. Similarly, the Medela Single Deluxe breastpump has an internal motor that cannot be removed, replaced or fully sterilized. Another consideration when deciding to borrow or even lend a previously owned electric pump is the pump?s motor life. A high quality electric double pump might last through the breastfeeding of your second child, or even several children. However, like computers or other electronic products, an electric breastpump has a limited lifetime. Medela guarantees its pump motors with a one year warranty. If you use an electronic pump that has been used for more than one year, there is no guarantee that it will generate as much speed and vacuum as it did earlier in it?s life. By using your own pump, you can compare the pump?s performance with each child. However if you borrow a pump, you cannot gauge its performance to ensure it is operating at full capacity.

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Re: Used Medela breast pump? Safe?

  • mlc92404mlc92404
    You can buy them but you need to buy new parts for anything that the milk will touch.
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  • LadyDelilahLadyDelilah member
    A friend of mine wanted to give me hers and I said no I postes something similar to this. I would rather go new simply on the basis of warranty
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  • SparkleKSparkleK
    Nope, only hospital grade pumps (closed system pumps) can be shared.
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  • niccole_eniccole_e

    I know others will disagree, but I think it's fine. Just buy all the hoses and bottles etc.

    I have a lot of friends that have bought used ones b/c they couldn't afford them. 

    I will say check with your insurance to see (if you haven't already) if you are entitled to  durable medical goods  and your pump may be covered.

     

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  • Temp200154562509288Temp200154562509288
    Borrowing from a friend I MAY consider, getting one from a consignment store NO WAY. It just kind of skeeves me out a little bit, you really have no idea who used it last, how many different people used it, if they were clean or not, etc.
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  • monkiemmonkiem

    I wouldn't do it.  Especially from a stranger.  And a PP mentioned the closed system pumps such as hospital-grade ones...that's the only type I would get used.

    SIL wanted me to use hers, and got offended when I said no thank you.  LOL

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  • TulipsAndChampagneTulipsAndChampagne member
    Old milk can get stuck in the motor. It cannot be cleaned. New tubing, attachments, etc. will not make the unit "safe". Lots of things/toxins can be passed through breast milk and for me the savings do not outweigh the potential harm it could do to my child, so I would not buy a used personal pump. I could not live with myself if my child were to get sick from the contaminated pump. Is her safety and health really worth $200 in savings?
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  • wife1014wife1014 member
    nope, I would never use a used breast pump. Not even my sisters.  And buying new parts wouldn't make me change my mind.
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  • sarah&greg2006sarah&greg2006
    The lactation specialist I spoke to said don't buy a used Medela Pump in Style because it is not a closed system and there is no way to get the residue from inside the sytem completely out. She said Medela Lactina or Symphony are better options
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  • slc2bslc2b
    At my breastfeeding class last week the nurse said that this brand and model is definitely a good one but unfortunately is not the kind you would want to share because the milk does get into the parts.  I am not sure if you can buy replacement tubing for this model or not.  With that being said that, my bff has this pump and my sister borrowed it from her when she was nursing, but they have known eachother for a long time.  I probably wouldn't risk it from an unknown person though.
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