HOW SAFE IS A USED BREAST PUMP?

Question

MY DAUGHTER IS CONSIDERING USING A USED BREAST PUMP, BECAUSE ITS ELECTRIC INSTEAD OF MANUAL, HOW SAFE IS THAT FOR HER AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER?

Answer 1

it depends on the source and the pump.  i probably wouldn't get a used pump from a stranger (i don't work outside the home, so a pump isn't critical for me), but i would happily accept one from a friend or family member.  my sister and i have shared a pump.

the most popular double electric pump is the medela pump in style.  you can sterilize the stuff that attaches to the bottle and you can replace the tubing (and all of the plastic parts) pretty cheaply.  you can't sterilize the motor.  it's theoretically possible for germs to travel all the way through the tubing to the motor and to survive in the motor and to travel all the way back through the tubes to infect a baby, but it's HIGHLY unlikely.  there are very few germs that can live more than a few seconds outside the body anyway.  it's my understanding that most single-user electric pumps are the same way.

if accepting a used pump is the only way she can afford the type of pump that would allow her to work while still providing breastmilk for her baby, it's worth the risk.  if she can afford a new one, it's probably better.

WIC, some employee benefit plans (lifeworks is ours), and some health insurance plans will offer free or discounted pumps.

if you can afford it and want to help your granddaughter get the best start in life, buy her the pump or offer to share the cost of a new pump.

Answer 2

doesnt that hurt????????????

Answer 3

Just make sure you steralize all of the pieces. If any of them are dishwasher safe, put them in or boil the smaller parts.

Answer 4

I  woulddefiantlyy make sure I cleaned it well with bleach before I used it.  I have seen alot of used ones and i know that some family supports groups like WIC lend them out.

Answer 5

It depends on the pump. but most of them are not safe to use once used by someone else.

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps...

Answer 6

You need to make sure that all the parts that will come in contact with the breastmilk are purchased new.  But the macine itself is fine to be purchased used.  It can actually be quite a good investment even used!

Answer 7

It depends on the kind. some are made where you can get new parts for any area that breast milk flows through. they have ones you can rent from the hospital. But most consumer breast pumps are not made this way. And it is not safe if they don't have replaceable parts. It is never safe to expose one human to another humans bodily fluid. No matter who they are. your best friend, aunt, mother, mother in law, sister whatever can have a disease they don't even know about. Make sure she gets the one with replaceable parts because I understand that breast pumps are expensive. And it is very important to breast feed. Contact the hospital first, they will have some or refer you to other hospitals that have them.

EDIT: DO NOT CLEAN THEM OUT WITH BLEACH! That is so wrong. What happened if you thought you cleaned it well enough but there were still traces of bleach?? Do you want your infant injesting bleach?? Play it safe, or better yet use formula. Breast is best but not if you are considering tainting it with bleach, hiv, or other bloodborne illnesses.

EDIT X's 2: The women on here are scaring me. Sterilizing is not ok either. Especially if done yourself. What if a hospital reused sterilized needles? No. It doesn't work that way. You sterilize brand new items that come in contact with bodily fluids. Not used. I don't mind getting thumbs down, but the people who have given it to me, at least go and research it. Why subject your infant to any risks simply because that's how you did/do it??

Answer 8

As long as it's sterilized, it's fine.  

Answer 9

As long as every part of it is cleaned and sterilised thoroughly, it will be safe.

Answer 10

Medela says that used breastpumps are not safe.  But I personally think its just because they want you to spend $300 on a new one.  I have a used one and I just cleaned it well and boiled all the parts and it is just fine.