borrowed/used breast pump?

sandylou · November 2010

I know we've talked a lot about whether or not to use other peoples breast pumps. I decided that since my SIL did not need hers anymore to use hers and replace the parts.

Now that I have it, I am all grossed out by it and haven't even opened the bag. I hate to spend the money on a new one because I don't anticipate having to pump all that much.

I don't knw what to do!!!! LOL, I can't bring myself to open it up and see what's inside there!!

elizjane26 · November 2010

I am using my sister's breast pump. I have taken it out of the box and it seems like new to me. We will be replacing some of the parts though. It really isn't bothering me. And it's saving us about $300.

Kaylie Plus 1 · November 2010

With my daughter I had bought one that was used (only a few times) from a friend. If you bought new parts and santized everything I wouldn't worry! Save the $200+!!

sandylou · November 2010

elizjane26:
I am using my sister's breast pump. I have taken it out of the box and it seems like new to me. We will be replacing some of the parts though. It really isn't bothering me. And it's saving us about $300.

I honestly am tempted to just bite the bullet and buy a new one because I don't want to open the bag. I guess I envision like crusted up stuff in there?? IDK, it's really creeping me out!

elizjane26 · November 2010

sandylou:
elizjane26:
I am using my sister's breast pump. I have taken it out of the box and it seems like new to me. We will be replacing some of the parts though. It really isn't bothering me. And it's saving us about $300.

I honestly am tempted to just bite the bullet and buy a new one because I don't want to open the bag. I guess I envision like crusted up stuff in there?? IDK, it's really creeping me out!

Ew yea, the thought of that is pretty skeevy! Could DH look at it for you? It might not be as bad as you think!

darlene'smommy · November 2010

I would use one from my sister or sister in law knowing they did not have hiv or anything like that. I just would not get one from someone I dont know.

pawcall · November 2010

I just can't get past the mental images I have of someone else using it. I wouldn't be able to use a preowned pump.

sandylou · November 2010

elizjane26:
sandylou:

elizjane26:
I am using my sister's breast pump. I have taken it out of the box and it seems like new to me. We will be replacing some of the parts though. It really isn't bothering me. And it's saving us about $300.

I honestly am tempted to just bite the bullet and buy a new one because I don't want to open the bag. I guess I envision like crusted up stuff in there?? IDK, it's really creeping me out!

Ew yea, the thought of that is pretty skeevy! Could DH look at it for you? It might not be as bad as you think!

Ha ha! Good idea! I love that he does all the stuff I don't want to do anymore! I swear he probably thinks I'm losing my mind! I'm sure it's clean and fine I'm just paranoid!

mishu917 · November 2010

sandylou:
I know we've talked a lot about whether or not to use other peoples breast pumps. I decided that since my SIL did not need hers anymore to use hers and replace the parts.

Now that I have it, I am all grossed out by it and haven't even opened the bag. I hate to spend the money on a new one because I don't anticipate having to pump all that much.

I don't knw what to do!!!! LOL, I can't bring myself to open it up and see what's inside there!!

If you're not going to pump often, just get a manual one. My friend was off from work for five months so she got a manual one and said while the electric one would have been easier to work with, the manual one was just fine. You can buy one for the same price that it would cost you to replace the parts on the used one... so you won't be spending any extra money to say.

If you really really want an electric one, you can get a single electric or one of the less expensive double electric that was recommended on the boards. I think it was the ameda or lansinoh. Again, you might only end up spending a little more money as you would already have to spend money on replacing the parts for the used ones...although I am not sure about the cost of that.

KatInTheHat28 · November 2010

I went to a breastfeeding class at our hospital and the nurse leading the class told us to never use a used breast pump even if we know the previous owner and we've replaced all the parts that can be replaced. She said that there's no way you can get everything 100% clean and that milk can get into parts that can't be replaced. She was pretty adamant about it. She kind of scared me! I was planning on buying a new one anyway but I would probably still consider a used one if it was a close family member...they're just so expensive new!

kvans81 · November 2010

I'm holding out on this. I registered for one but am waiting to see if I can even breastfeed first ... I know some women's milk never comes in or they don't produce enough. I'm crossing fingers I have no problems and am able to do this! Once I know I can physically do it I plan on biting the bullet and just buying this one ...

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2588014

I figure I want to breastfeed more so than bottlefeed, so this one would be perfect and its only $160 vs the more expensive $280 one.

pawcall · November 2010

KEW1982:
I went to a breastfeeding class at our hospital and the nurse leading the class told us to never use a used breast pump even if we know the previous owner and we've replaced all the parts that can be replaced. She said that there's no way you can get everything 100% clean and that milk can get into parts that can't be replaced. She was pretty adamant about it. She kind of scared me! I was planning on buying a new one anyway but I would probably still consider a used one if it was a close family member...they're just so expensive new!

The woman who did our bf'ing class said the same thing. I can understand why people might feel comfortable using a family member's pump I guess - but I wouldn't. Not that I think my sister is diseased and dirty - just - ick. Yeah they're expensive, but exponentially less so than formula over the course of the year.

SoulfulWhim5862 · November 2010

I wasn't planning on using a used breast pump but I had one given to me. I have the Medela Pump In Style Advanced in the Metro or shoulder bag, not too sure which one since it's a couple years old. My friend only used it for a month if that. I went to the baby talk online store and bought all new tubing, valves and membranes, disinfecting wipes, personal fit breast shields, breastshield connectors, and collection bottles. Including shipping it was $78. Everything except the actual motor will be replaced. I do understand though that this pump is not a closed system but will give it a try. I'm not sure how much I will be pumping, but should I need it for an emergency I will have it.

branlynn · November 2010

I don't know... a lot of people seem to have no problem with a used one... but I'm so paranoid about bacteria and yuck. my friend only used hers a couple times and said she was going to sanitize it and give it to me... but I think I'm just going to buy my own electric one after I get my income taxes... I don't plan on going back to work for a couple weeks after the baby comes, so my taxes should be back by then (I'm filing right away).

My only problem is that I plan to stop BFing around 6 months-ish because I'll be going to school full time and working come July or August, and BFing at that point, even while pumping, will be a major PITA, even though the baby will be at home with my mom. So I'm not sure how much exactly that I want to spend on one...

kpv · November 2010

KEW1982:
I went to a breastfeeding class at our hospital and the nurse leading the class told us to never use a used breast pump even if we know the previous owner and we've replaced all the parts that can be replaced. She said that there's no way you can get everything 100% clean and that milk can get into parts that can't be replaced. She was pretty adamant about it. She kind of scared me! I was planning on buying a new one anyway but I would probably still consider a used one if it was a close family member...they're just so expensive new!

I guess I still don't get it. I mean, bacteria/viruses DIE if there is nothing for them to live off of.

mzclaire · November 2010

kpv:

I guess I still don't get it. I mean, bacteria/viruses DIE if there is nothing for them to live off of.

Yup, this was my thinking, too.

I am using my sister's pump. She was always adamant about keeping it clean, and I know she hasn't used it for awhile now, so it's been nicely cleaned and packed up and ready to go. I DEFINITELY would not use a pump that wasn't a family member's pump. But I think hospital staff wants to be overly cautious, so they try and scare you off of a lot of things...because it's too much of a risk factor for a hospital to "endorse" any used product that involves bodily fluids. I think it'lll be fine.

izzourclue · November 2010

darlene'smommy:
I would use one from my sister or sister in law knowing they did not have hiv or anything like that. I just would not get one from someone I dont know.

I guess I would ask how you know for sure your sister or SIL doesn't have HIV or Hepatitus? Are you absolutely 100% positive their husbands have never cheated on them? I don't think you can know for sure anyone else's status. Even if they are good friends or relatives. As far as viruses dying, hep lives for 48 days on solid surfaces and inside a breast pump there is no air and condensation which would allow them to live longer. My hospital "clears" you to use their pumps by testing you for HIV and Hep when you come in to give birth which tells me there is a small chance of transmission even in their pumps which are designed to be multi-user. Or they would let anyone use them without testing them. Which is why I chose to buy my own pump and bring it to the hospital with me and will refuse to use their pump. Even if they tested every woman that used it, it takes at least 6 weeks to detect HIV and up to a year to detect hepatitus after exposure. Infected women could get cleared.

shareegrant · November 2010

I get a free new pump from my insurance but a used one doesn't bother me. I think its because if your baby is in the NICU and you do not have a pump of your own, they have a Medella pump for you to use while in the room with LO. The base unit is sterilized after each person uses it and you are provided new sealed tubing, shields and everything else. Just from my experience (nieces/nephews) nothing but air gets dispensed into the tubing on Medella models.

CAB'smommy · November 2010

elizjane26:
I am using my sister's breast pump. I have taken it out of the box and it seems like new to me. We will be replacing some of the parts though. It really isn't bothering me. And it's saving us about $300.

This for me too. I'm using my SIL's. Just sterilize what you can and replace what you can. It would be different if it was a strangers.

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