Would you buy a used nursing pillow?

[Paperhearts]

I'm a pretty frugal mama for the most part and have no problem buying used for most things. I was getting ready to email someone about a nursing pillow they were selling when I started to wonder if I could sanitize it properly?

I usually get a boppy but wanted to get the My Brest Friend this time. The cover can be washed but the actual foam pillow can't really.

What do you guys think? I was thinking that since it was a nursing pillow it's possible that it has had milk leaks, spit up, or other baby "stuff" on/in the foam. I've also heard of women using them between their legs to sleep with at night. Opinions?

 

[futurephotos]

Don't know what I'd do with the foam...
I bought 2 Boppy's used and washed the whole pillow and cover in the washing machine. I'm satisfied with that, but would maybe feel a bit more reluctant about a surface wash only option.

 

[TicToc]

I bought a boppy at a rummage sale, I plan to wash the cover and disinfect the pillow before use. I never thought of trying to put it in the washing machine though, maybe I will try that.

 

[deafgal]

Yes. I have a used boppy pillow. You can wash it. And they have a removable cover.

 

[Squiggy]

I don't think I would, just because I used my head-pillow to prop my baby when breastfeeding and he pooped through his diaper twice (naturally once on each side; with one leaving a tiny stain and the other leaving a huge stain).
Additionally, I'd be worried about the smell; newborns have a far more sensitive sense of smell than we do so the baby will smell the former house/owners.

I don't know. For me, I wouldn't.

 

[ClairAye]

I would but I'm slightly OTT about cleaning second hand things and so I'd probably put the foam on a handwash in the machine!

 

[sept2010]

i wouldnt...only because i know what went all over LO's feeding pillow

 

[LaraSue]

I admit it kind of grosses me out a little bit. One option you might try to clean it is using a hand-held carpet cleaner on both sides. I had to clean an office chair someone urinated in (long story) and that's what I did. No hint of smell and no staining at all. You might also try a dry cleaner and see if they can clean it.

 

[MelliPaige]

I would hand wash it, then steam it really good and hot and wash the cover.

 

[Paperhearts]

I admit it kind of grosses me out a little bit. One option you might try to clean it is using a hand-held carpet cleaner on both sides. I had to clean an office chair someone urinated in (long story) and that's what I did. No hint of smell and no staining at all. You might also try a dry cleaner and see if they can clean it.

That's actually a really good idea!

I think if it were a boppy I'd buy used since I can toss it in the machine. If I decide on a my brest friend I may just buy new. I think those are cheaper than boppy's aren't they?

 

[Blah11]

I wouldn't get a nursing pillow at all. I just use my arms :/

 

[Paperhearts]

I wouldn't get a nursing pillow at all. I just use my arms :/

Lol, I get the pillow to support my arms. My babies tend to nurse foreeeeeever and they get tired sometimes.

 

[willowblossom]

What about buying a 'v' shape pilliw? I had a boppy last time and it put him at the wrong height for me. A v pillow worked much better for me. Cheaper too! xx

 

[xjesx]

I'd purchase second hand nursing pillow.

 

[Ruth 1980]

i wouldnt...only because i know what went all over LO's feeding pillow

^^ wss!!

 

[lau86]

What about buying a 'v' shape pilliw? I had a boppy last time and it put him at the wrong height for me. A v pillow worked much better for me. Cheaper too! xx

This, you can get them from eBay £4

 

[MBGibbs]

I'd personally splash out and buy a new one.
The thought of second hand with such a personal item freaks me out too much.

 

[adrie]

My girlfriend lent me her's; I just washed the cover. Doesn't bother me whatsoever.

 

[sojourn]

There are zero reasons to be concerned. It's one thing if that grosses you out personally, but scientifically, there's no reason to have a problem. Most of the things that you are worried about, the actual microbes, bacteria and viruses are dead within a few hours.

Check out the science. The microbes and bacteria that could be the result of breast milk, urine, spit-up, feces etc. are all long since dead. Any that would still be living (viruses like E. Coli, norovirus etc.) can quite easily be killed by putting the pillow in the sun (ultraviolet radiation actually doing something useful! Yay!). You can even sun both sides if you feel like it.

If you're interested, just look up the different bacteria and viruses associated with each bodily fluid you're wondering about. Then look up its associated life-span and comfort zone.

My husband's an immunologist and is, obviously SUPER compulsive about all things that could make a person sick. We bought a used Brest Friend pillow and a few other things. He went NUTS researching whether or not any kind of things like that could make me or the baby sick, his conclusion was no. That doesn't mean you have to trust him, but you can find all of the information yourself and it might set your mind at ease.

Good luck finding something that works for you.