Borrowing a breast pump from a friend?

Re: Borrowing a breast pump from a friend?

• MrsC2009

  August 2011

  I've been told not to use a used Medela.  While Medela is highly rated, they are not "closed systems" and there's a possibility of milk backing up into the motor. 

  

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• JillianAshley6

  August 2011

  I know a lot of people are against using a used bp, but I just cannot get up in arms about it. If your sister, bff, etc offered you a bp that they had previously used and you felt comfortable with it, thouroughly cleaned it, etc then I wouldn't think twice.

  However....considering this pump has been used by what sounds like 5 or 6 people, I would probably pass on it. You cannot guarantee that it has been adequately cleaned over the life of the pump. I would be more concerned about bacteria and/or mold than anything else.

  Breast pumps can be expensive, and if you are set on breastfeeding and need a pump (b/c you are going back to work, etc), and cannot afford it....and this is your best option then go for it. But you might also call your insurance and your hospital. Sometimes insurance companies cover breast pump rentals, and some hospitals offer them at a low monthly rental rate. You might also see if you have a lactation consultant in the area with any recs- we have one that actually has her own store and rents breast pumps.

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• raeski2008 member

  August 2011

  I received the advice of buying the attachments new. You can go ahead and use their pump, but getting your own attachments makes sure that only your breast milk goes through there. I can't remember exactly why it was better, but my friend and also my mom told me I should never use attachments that have been used by someone else.
  

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• jnealet member

  August 2011

  Get new tubing and flanges.  The tubing is seriously like 3 ft long, someone would have to work really hard to get milk in the motor.

   

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• azcobride member

  August 2011

  I borrowed a Medela last time and am borrowing one again this time. I just bought all new tubing and flanges (about $50). With that said, 5-6 different people hadn't used it prior to me. That might make me a bit more hesitant/weirded out.

  
  
  
  

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• mindad

  August 2011

  Re: Borrowing a breast pump from a friend?

  I borrowed a Medela last time and am borrowing one again this time. I just bought all new tubing and flanges (about $50). With that said, 5-6 different people hadn't used it prior to me. That might make me a bit more hesitant/weirded out.

   

  So you only bought new tubing and flanges? What about bottles, etc.? I got one from a friend as well but was thinking I would have to replace everything but the motor itself...
  

   
  

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• feistyred23

  August 2011

  azcobride:

  I borrowed a Medela last time and am borrowing one again this time. I just bought all new tubing and flanges (about $50). With that said, 5-6 different people hadn't used it prior to me. That might make me a bit more hesitant/weirded out.

   I think the 6 people ahead of me is what weirds me out the most and I think the year of the pump is a 1999? I don't know if that matters or not, but I've obviously got some reservations.

  

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• Jules08 member

  August 2011

  MrsC2009:

  I've been told not to use a used Medela.  While Medela is highly rated, they are not "closed systems" and there's a possibility of milk backing up into the motor. 

  THIS!  Plus Medela own site even says:

  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.

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• azcobride member

  August 2011

  mindad:

  Re: Borrowing a breast pump from a friend?

  I borrowed a Medela last time and am borrowing one again this time. I just bought all new tubing and flanges (about $50). With that said, 5-6 different people hadn't used it prior to me. That might make me a bit more hesitant/weirded out.

   

  So you only bought new tubing and flanges? What about bottles, etc.? I got one from a friend as well but was thinking I would have to replace everything but the motor itself...
  

   
  

  I also had all new bottles. But there was only one person that used it ahead of me, and she only pumped for 3 weeks before she quit pumping completely. This other pump that I'm borrowing this time around I'm not as sure about. She gave it to me and I didn't want to offend her so I haven't asked her any questions about it...yet. However, if I don't feel comfortable (as in, she received it from someone else too), then I'll probably look into renting one from the hospital. I don't think I could borrow one from 1999 that had been used by 6 previous women.

  
  
  
  

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• jaybird127

  August 2011

  Jules08:

  MrsC2009:

  I've been told not to use a used Medela.  While Medela is highly rated, they are not "closed systems" and there's a possibility of milk backing up into the motor. 

  THIS!  Plus Medela own site even says:

  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.

   

  Well, of course Medela would try to get people to buy NEW pumps, as it generates more business for them. I am of the opinion that new tubes/attachments is fine. 
  

  

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• Jules08 member

  August 2011

  jaybird127:

  Jules08:

  MrsC2009:

  I've been told not to use a used Medela.  While Medela is highly rated, they are not "closed systems" and there's a possibility of milk backing up into the motor. 

  THIS!  Plus Medela own site even says:

  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.

   

  Well, of course Medela would try to get people to buy NEW pumps, as it generates more business for them. I am of the opinion that new tubes/attachments is fine. 
  

  Fair enough, but it's not the only place that I have read info on the non-closed system pumps as well as pump motor life. 

  If I remember correctly somewhere in here it was mentioned that the pump was dated 1999.  I am going to go ahead and guess that 12 years and 6 kids later, the pump / motor is not going to be operating at 100%  Not to mention that if something did get into the motor, how long has it been in there for and what kind of bacteria is growing?!  Ew.
  

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