Nurseries and Baby Gear
munica00
member
Medela Pump in Style advice
munica00
member
Need some advice please...I can purchase a used medela pump in style electric breast pump and a manual one also for $65. I've heard Medela is a good brand and electric is much easier to use to pump than manual. Should I go ahead and purchase this? I didn't want to buy a used pump, but I really have no choice and don't want to spend the $250 it costs new. I need to let this lady know very soon so thanks for the advice!
Best of luck! Veronica 
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Re: Medela Pump in Style advice
The nurse who led my BF class said never to buy a used pump b/c it could have bacteria, unless it's a "closed system" that prevents milk from getting into the base of the pump. I'm pretty sure she said Medelas were not closed systems, but you might want to check into that.
She did say that Medela was a good brand and that electric is far better than manual.
Those are both meant to be single user pumps. The PISA is not hospital grade (closed system) pump. The milk can get in the motor contaminating the entire system. Obviously the manual pump is exposed to milk too. I would not purchase them used even if I knew the person.
You could be potentially exposing you and your baby to viruses including HIV and Hepatitis. The FDA strongly recommends against used breast pumps and links to this LLL website. It's not worth risking the health of you and your baby to save a little money.
Use a 20% off coupon at BRU or watch for sales if you don't want to pay full price. There are also cheaper electric options available, you don't have to get the PISA. If you absolutely can't afford a pump there are programs that will help with the cost, including your state health dept. and WIC. Scroll to the bottom here for more info.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
I would not buy a used pump. Especially a used medela- they are not a closed system. The Ameda's are, but even so, I would only consider buying it from someone I knew very well and even then... I'd rather just have my own. I got an Ameda last week for $143 on drugstore.com. The lansinoh double electric is basically the same pump and Amazon has it for $129:
https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Double-Electric-Breast-1-Count/dp/B001TUZOBA
It's a great pump and you can just buy your own carrying bag or use one that you already have. Shop around, there are some deals right now.
This is exactly why people need to be more informed rather than blindly following advice just because it comes from a doctor.
I would hope they assumed you were referring to a closed system pump.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
I wouldn't purchase a used one either. My one friend wanted to borrow mine with hers and I told her it broke. I can't bear to part with it. The Medela is a good pump and after a very long discussion about pumps on the other board I belonged to with my son I decided I'd rather spend the money then spend twice that with purchasing a cheaper system and having it break or not work as well.
BRU is very good at putting them on sale and that is how I purchased ours. I wouldn't open it though until you know bf'n is going to work out or you want to exclusively pump. Otherwise, they will not take it back if the seal is broken because of that reason. Also, if you purchased a used one and something does go wrong it voids the manf. warranty.
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I have to echo to not blindly follow your pediatrician and ob/gyn's advice (or any doctor's) without doing your research. (I've learned from experience at my son's expense) Our pediatrician's office has a lactation consultant on staff to assist with any breastfeeding concerns and questions, etc.
I can't possibly imagine not one but two doctors saying a used pump is okay. If I received/bought one from a relative or close friend then I would consider but definitely not otherwise. All advice I've seen says to never share a pump. For the OP, you can usually work the cost down quite a bit watching for sales/using coupons. For example, if you can find the Lansinoh pump that was mentioned above and then use a 20% coupon from BRU and use your 10% completion coupon then your not paying that much more than for the used pump. Check Amazon too and just really watch out for deals. This is one area where you really need to buy new.