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Nurseries and Baby Gear
Used Medela Freestyle?
Hi, I would like your opinion on purchasing a used Medela Freestyle Breast Pump on Craigslist for $100 (retails new for $380). I know there are somethings that should not be bought used (carseats, crib, breastpump). But with this pump, I think if I purchase new tubing and breast shield that it would be sanitary. The breastmilk doesn't go through the motor area if I am not mistaken. I have emailed the seller, she said she had purchased it new last November and used it for 5 months. In the add she states the pump is like new and also she is selling it with extras (new bottle set, storage bags, ect). What do you think?
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Re: Used Medela Freestyle?
The Freestyle is not a closed system pump and milk can get in the motor contaminating the entire system. Buying new accessories does not make it sanitary. From the Medela website: "This product is a single user item. Use by more than one user may pose a health risk, performance questions, and voids the warranty."
I would never get a used breast pump, especially from a stranger. Even if they think they're perfectly healthy there are plenty of people who have diseases they don't know about. If they aren't hospital grade (closed system), used breast pumps can carry infectious disease such as CMV, Hepatitis, and HIV. It's not worth risking the health of you and your baby just to save a little money.
The FDA website strongly recommends against used breast pumps and links to this LLL page with more info:
https://www.llli.org//llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul04p54.html
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
I wouldn't get a used Medela unless it was from a close friend or sister. Like PP said - it is not a closed system so it isn't sanitary to share. The milk can get backed up into the motor and cross contaminate your milk.
I think Ameda and Lansinoh pumps are closed systems so those are some other alternatives you could try if you want to buy a used one.
I thought the Free Style was a closed system but it's not. You should consider Ameda, Lansinoh or the Playtex Embrace if you are looking for a used pump.
Good luck
Hmmm.... Gosh/shucks I really wanted to purchase this used one, still kind of do but have 2nd thoughts. I have until tomorrow to decide. Just thinking....if breastmilk particles can get into the motor area or other parts that you can not sterilize. Even though its my own milk, if I pumped and don't pump for a week or so, would bacteria still grow and may harm baby?
As with maybe buying a closed system, I am really attached to buying a Medela Freestyle. I think it would fit my lifestyle perfectly, considering how portable it is.
Thanks for your responses, would love to hear more though.
I have the freestyle and absolutely love the portability. That said, I would never buy it used. I have gotten milk stuck in the tubing before (I didn't snap the parts together completely during a pumping session), which would worry me in buying one used.
IMHO, there's only a few baby related things that I think should be brand new. A pump is one of them (assuming it's not a closed system).
I used a 20% off BRU coupon to make the pump more affordable. Even though I don't work FT, it has still been worth the money.
Gross.
Also, I don't think that any pregnant woman should buy a breastpump. You don't know if BFing will work out for you or not & you don't want to be out that significant amount of cash if it doesn't.