Used Breast Pumps?

AthenaPlusOne · Jan 27th, 2013, 10:12 AM

I have a question for you lovely breast feeders! I've been toying with the idea of buying a used breast pump (due in March) and have read a lot of controversial things. Many people buy pumps and attempt to use them for a month then never touch them again then sell their $300 systems for $100. I've read that if you get a used pump you have to replace pretty much everything but the motor (which is obvious to me), but I've also read that you should never get a used pump (open system) because there are parts that cannot be sterilized and things like HIV and over infections can be transmitted from one user to another and to the baby--however, this has never actually happened.

Thoughts??

Sproglet · Jan 27th, 2013, 10:19 AM

If you want a second hand pump, it's fine so long as it is a closed system meaning no milk (or bodily fluids) can get into the motor. Then you can replace the parts that do come into contact with the milk and it's all good!

Problem with open systems is the motor, which you haven't replaced, can harbour milk, bacteria, etc. which can then find their way back into the pump parts leading to infection. A closed system prevents this. Hence why closed systems can be rented out, by hospitals or lactation consultants.

alaskagrown · Jan 27th, 2013, 16:16 PM

Save yourself all the trouble of replacing the parts and changing the motor and just buy it new!

The $250 for a Medela Pump in Style Advanced is money WELL spent! It's certainly worth it new.

gryphongrl · Jan 27th, 2013, 18:12 PM

I have a used pump in style... I replaced the tubes, and it cost us $50 total. It is a great pump. We couldn't have managed the $250. I looked at youtube videos about the design, and it is possible to take the motor out of the backpack and sterilize the interior of the machinery if you have any doubts about it.

urchin · Jan 28th, 2013, 03:18 AM

go for a closed system and buy new pumping parts - much cheaper that way

although I wouldn't want to use a pump with someone else's manky old milk in it, you/your baby won't get HIV from it - HIV is a very fragile virus and doesn't last for long outside the body.
Bacteria and fungal infections are a different matter.....

marron · Jan 28th, 2013, 13:47 PM

Stupid question, but how would milk get inside the motor? I have the Pump In Style in the tote bag and the motor seems pretty removed from the actual liquid.

gryphongrl · Jan 28th, 2013, 13:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marron

Stupid question, but how would milk get inside the motor? I have the Pump In Style in the tote bag and the motor seems pretty removed from the actual liquid.

The idea is that milk vapor could get sucked all the way down the tube and into the diaphragm (not really the motor)... then it could possibly stay wet in there and grow stuff, which then would have to make it the reverse direction... I dunno. I dont really believe its plausible, so I just replaced the tubes myself.

Sproglet · Jan 29th, 2013, 03:09 AM

It is possible, someone on here posted about how they looked inside and there was all mould growing inside the motor part.

alaskagrown · Jan 29th, 2013, 03:28 AM

Is there a chance you qualify for WIC? I got my PISA through them for free. I've heard you can get a pump with your health insurance as well.

HLanders · Jan 29th, 2013, 09:06 AM

This may be a silly question... but if breast pumps are only good for one person, what are you supposed to do with it when you're done??? Throw it away?!?!

Jan 27th, 2013, 10:12 AM	#1
AthenaPlusOne Active BnB Member Cooking Jelly Bean #1! Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Country: Posts: 475 Thanked others: 18 Thanked 168 times in 134 posts	Used Breast Pumps? I have a question for you lovely breast feeders! I've been toying with the idea of buying a used breast pump (due in March) and have read a lot of controversial things. Many people buy pumps and attempt to use them for a month then never touch them again then sell their $300 systems for $100. I've read that if you get a used pump you have to replace pretty much everything but the motor (which is obvious to me), but I've also read that you should never get a used pump (open system) because there are parts that cannot be sterilized and things like HIV and over infections can be transmitted from one user to another and to the baby--however, this has never actually happened. Thoughts?? __________________
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Jan 27th, 2013, 10:19 AM	#2
Sproglet BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Country: Posts: 3,119 Thanked others: 388 Thanked 1,294 times in 1,086 posts	If you want a second hand pump, it's fine so long as it is a closed system meaning no milk (or bodily fluids) can get into the motor. Then you can replace the parts that do come into contact with the milk and it's all good! Problem with open systems is the motor, which you haven't replaced, can harbour milk, bacteria, etc. which can then find their way back into the pump parts leading to infection. A closed system prevents this. Hence why closed systems can be rented out, by hospitals or lactation consultants. __________________
Status: Offline

Jan 27th, 2013, 16:16 PM	#3
alaskagrown Chat Happy BnB Member Mom Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Some island in the middle of nowhere, Alaska Country: Posts: 1,611 Thanked others: 423 Thanked 1,028 times in 608 posts Currently Feeling:	Save yourself all the trouble of replacing the parts and changing the motor and just buy it new! The $250 for a Medela Pump in Style Advanced is money WELL spent! It's certainly worth it new. __________________
Status: Offline

Jan 27th, 2013, 18:12 PM	#4
gryphongrl Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Country: Posts: 399 Thanked others: 260 Thanked 250 times in 150 posts Currently Feeling:	I have a used pump in style... I replaced the tubes, and it cost us $50 total. It is a great pump. We couldn't have managed the $250. I looked at youtube videos about the design, and it is possible to take the motor out of the backpack and sterilize the interior of the machinery if you have any doubts about it.
Status: Offline

Jan 28th, 2013, 03:18 AM	#5
urchin BnB Addict Brand New Mummy Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Midlands Country: Posts: 6,409 Thanked others: 776 Thanked 2,943 times in 2,222 posts Currently Feeling:	go for a closed system and buy new pumping parts - much cheaper that way although I wouldn't want to use a pump with someone else's manky old milk in it, you/your baby won't get HIV from it - HIV is a very fragile virus and doesn't last for long outside the body. Bacteria and fungal infections are a different matter..... __________________ Last edited by urchin; Jan 28th, 2013 at 03:23 AM..
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Jan 28th, 2013, 13:47 PM	#6
marron Active BnB Member Mommy Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: OC, CA Country: Posts: 404 Thanked others: 438 Thanked 389 times in 182 posts Currently Feeling:	Stupid question, but how would milk get inside the motor? I have the Pump In Style in the tote bag and the motor seems pretty removed from the actual liquid. __________________ Last edited by marron; Jan 28th, 2013 at 13:48 PM..
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Jan 29th, 2013, 03:09 AM	#8
Sproglet BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Country: Posts: 3,119 Thanked others: 388 Thanked 1,294 times in 1,086 posts	It is possible, someone on here posted about how they looked inside and there was all mould growing inside the motor part.
Status: Offline

Jan 29th, 2013, 03:28 AM	#9
alaskagrown Chat Happy BnB Member Mom Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Some island in the middle of nowhere, Alaska Country: Posts: 1,611 Thanked others: 423 Thanked 1,028 times in 608 posts Currently Feeling:	Is there a chance you qualify for WIC? I got my PISA through them for free. I've heard you can get a pump with your health insurance as well.
Status: Offline

Jan 29th, 2013, 09:06 AM	#10
HLanders Active BnB Member Mom of twin girls Join Date: Sep 2011 Country: Posts: 560 Thanked others: 188 Thanked 169 times in 135 posts Currently Feeling:	This may be a silly question... but if breast pumps are only good for one person, what are you supposed to do with it when you're done??? Throw it away?!?! __________________
Status: Offline

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