Thoughts on used pumps?

SummerOH · July 2012

I see a lot of pumps for sale where moms have only used them for a couple months. The savings are significant - 50% or more. I know you can buy new tubing, flanges, etc. or just sterilize the current ones. Would you buy a used breast pump? Why or why not?

maestra816 · July 2012

I am using my sister's BP and she just said to buy new tubing for sanitary issues. I would just get the new tubing and maybe the part that touches the breast replaced?

caymanianseminole · July 2012

So glad you asked that question! Two of my friends have really nice medella ones - both of them have offered them to me so all I have to do is replace the tubing. But I'm kind skeptical because they are both a few years old (both of them have kids that are 3-4 now). I kinda want to just start fresh with one of my own BUT it is significant cost savings as well. So it's kinda one of those things that I'm still up in the air about.

rnfromtn · July 2012

I haven't done much research on it, but if you can get new tubing and it is a closed system, why not? The IV pumps that we use at the hospital are not new for each patient. (but they do go through a deep cleaning/sterilization process) But we do use new tubing for each patient. I don't see it as much different.

chicagobridelibby · July 2012

I am using my cousins. I will get new tubes-it doeesnt bother me.

Wild_flower25 · July 2012

I had a used PIS last time, I didn't die.

daniellerm23 · July 2012

Excuse me if this is a stupid question - but is the Medela PIS a closed system??

Watergirl's World · July 2012

I got my used Ameda closed system at a mom to mom sale for $30, tubing cost $30, and I was all set. I am going to get a newer one this time around, because the motors can wear out and not be as efficient. Anything over 3yrs I would try to bypass.

MelleTX · July 2012

From friends or family, yes! A stranger off Craig's list, no!

However, I think I am going to rent from the hospital for a while to decide what I will really need.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · July 2012

If it were an Ameda or the old Lansinoh, I might consider it because they are closed systems. I would not buy a used Medela, or any other open system where the milk has any contact with the machine itself.

With an Ameda or Lansinoh, the milk is blocked from entering the tubing, so connecting new tubing/flanges to the machine has no risk of cross contamination with someone else's milk.

With an open system, even if the machine had been "sanitized," I still wouldn't trust it.

MommaAmers · July 2012

Mrs.DeliaMarieP:
If it were an Ameda or the old Lansinoh, I might consider it because they are closed systems. I would not buy a used Medela, or any other open system where the milk has any contact with the machine itself.
With an Ameda or Lansinoh, the milk is blocked from entering the tubing, so connecting new tubing/flanges to the machine has no risk of cross contamination with someone else's milk.
With an open system, even if the machine had been "sanitized," I still wouldn't trust it.

This. I agree completely.

GigiFairy · July 2012

I have a Medela I'm reusing. It's not a closed system but I honestly don't see how milk can or could get inside the machine at all. At most it got a few droplets of milk inside the tube where it meets the boobs and not even. I think by replacing the tubes it should be pretty safe, but that's my personal opinion.