Community› The Bump Month Clubs› December 2015 Moms
December 2015 Moms
New Discussion

Hand me down breastpump

angbrienzaangbrienza member
in December 2015 Moms

Hey ladies.. I've looked on the breastfeed board and did a search but nothing has come up for this....

I've received a hand me down Medela pump and purchased all new tubes, shields, bottles etc... I'm wondering why this is still considered unsanitary? It does not look like the milk or any of my germs could get into the actual machine so I'm confused. I have never used a pump as I was able to breastfeed my other two babies... Any insight from moms who pump/ have pumped and understand how these "machines" work would be appreciated !
Report Reply to Post

Re: Hand me down breastpump

  • ATolentino89ATolentino89 member
    I didn't know it's still unsanitary. I have a medela pump from my best friend and I have all new tubing and such too. If you can rent one why not get a second hand one?!?
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • bnwilson11bnwilson11 member

    The ones you can rent are hospital grade and closed systems but more than likely the one you have handed down is not a closed system. Consult your lactation consultant if you are unsure if it's a closed system.

    With that said I did use a hand me down one from my friend with my first with all new tubing etc because I did not know any better at the time and didn't do proper research... Just at least research and know the risks associated unlike I did... the biggest thing is with a non hospital grade they are only made for single use so they can not guarantee cross contamination even though the risk might be low. I have purchased a new one this time around!

    Report Reply
  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    taysun said:

    If it's not a closed system it isn't supposed to be used by more than one person.

    I know... But why? What else touches milk aside from the shields and maybe the tubes?
    Report Reply
  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    ATolentino89 said:

    I didn't know it's still unsanitary. I have a medela pump from my best friend and I have all new tubing and such too. If you can rent one why not get a second hand one?!?

    The hospital grade rentals are "closed system". The others aren't considered such but I just have no idea how it could be unsanitary. I fully plan on using it, and I know many do use them second hand so I'm wondering why they suggest they only be used by one user. Why???? I don't get it
    Report Reply
  • tewinkle27tewinkle27 member
    And depending on how often the pump was used might make it less effective.
    Report Reply
  • lwebleylwebley member
    I have no idea why. I'd still use it though ;)
    Report Reply
  • kawoltkawolt member
    If it's not a hospital rental it is NOT a closed system. It is not recommended to share pumps even with loved ones bc milk and bacteria will still get into the motor and fine parts. Risky.
    Report Reply
  • Court11152325Court11152325 member
    https://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvjunjul04p54.html

    https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/13/is-a-used-breast-pump-safe/

    https://amamasblog.com/2007/02/28/re-using-sharing-breastpumps/

    I just did a simple google search with your question and here is a sampling of what came up. Looks like hygiene is an issue, but it also looks like plenty of women still do what you do. Google probably has more of the "why" that you're looking for.
    Report Reply
  • mrs14678mrs14678 member
    I dunno.... If someone had given me one, I probably would have accepted it..... Those suckers are expensive! Our insurance has the option to rent, but the hospital won't let me, since we are moving out of town so quickly after birth. I just bought a manual one.
    Report Reply
  • MerBotMerBot member
    To explain how it works and to explain disinfecting the one I got, this was really helpful for me:

    https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mini-money-mustaches/reusing-previously-owned-breast-pump/
    Report Reply
  • tralalablahtralalablah member
    I borrowed from a nurse friend the first time around (before the free Obamacare pump thing), the only downside is if they pumped a lot, then you might get less suction out of the motor. I wasn't worried about contamination and it all worked out fine for use with new tubes, etc.

    The Spectra is a closed system that you can buy, but for Medela, only the hospital rental is.
    Report Reply
  • Addy1227Addy1227 member
    With my first I used a hand me down pump, I didn't know any better and honestly wouldn't have been able to afford a new one anyway. Make sure the pump works properly! I didn't realize it but the one I used was dying and didn't do a very good job at all! The suction power wasn't very good so I ended up with breast infections and low supply.
    Report Reply
  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    thanks everyone! And thank you for the link to clean the machine out! Am going to weigh my options. I am solely using the pump to help With supply as I had reduction surgery 7 years ago and pumping helps do that. It may be better to just use a rental for a month or two until my supply is steady!
    Report Reply
  • taysuntaysun member
    angbrienza said:

    thanks everyone! And thank you for the link to clean the machine out! Am going to weigh my options. I am solely using the pump to help With supply as I had reduction surgery 7 years ago and pumping helps do that. It may be better to just use a rental for a month or two until my supply is steady!

    I've heard that if you're trying to establish your supply, hospital grade is best. Many hospitals will let you rent one and your insurance may cover the cost.
    Report Reply
  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    taysun said:

    angbrienza said:

    thanks everyone! And thank you for the link to clean the machine out! Am going to weigh my options. I am solely using the pump to help With supply as I had reduction surgery 7 years ago and pumping helps do that. It may be better to just use a rental for a month or two until my supply is steady!

    I've heard that if you're trying to establish your supply, hospital grade is best. Many hospitals will let you rent one and your insurance may cover the cost.
    That's what I hear too. (Re:supply and using hospital grade) I think it's the route I will go. Thanks!
    Report Reply
  • redfallonredfallon member
    This is why open system pumps (all Medela pumps are open system) are not to be used by more than one person: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/buying-a-used-or-new-pump/

    Jamie


    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers


     Lilypie First Birthday tickers

    Report Reply
  • discohikerdiscohiker member
    Personally, I wouldn't sweat it.  I used a hand me down and had zero issues.  If the system has been dried out and in an environment where there wasn't humidity, I don't believe much of anything is going to grow in the machine itself. 
    IMO, much of the stuff that the companies say you need to buy new because of health, safety, etc... reasons is just them covering their butt in the rarest of cases and also lining their pocketbooks. 
    I got a new one last time via insurance just in case suction from my original, handed down one deteriorated.... but it was still going strong after two kids and a total of 2 years of use. 
    If you do decide to get a new one, there is a service that recycles old breast pumps... https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/medela-recycles

    "There is more to us than we know. Perhaps, if we are made to see it just once, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound

    image

    image

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • TomekiaBTomekiaB member
    Beyond sanitation the Le Leche League discourages it because a hand me down pump is a bad investment. Pumps wear out and if you borrow one the person who gave it to you may have another child and want it back so many people end up paying for the broken pump to replace the one you borrowed and still don't own one. 

    Breastmilk carries many of the same diseases blood does (HIV, Hepatitis etc). Statistically, babies of HIV positive moms are actually more likely to get HIV from being breastfed than if they are delivered vaginally to a mother that is not being treated for HIV. 

    Medela's retail pumps are open system and get enough misting breast milk that they can transfer disease but also can grow mold etc from the misting. Even with changing the tubing etc.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"