Used Breast Pumps- your opinion?

Question

I need to get a breast pump but I don't have a lot of money. I am interested in the Medela Pump In Style. My two questions are 1) have you had good experiences with a used pump; and 2) which brand and model did you use?

I would prefer an electric pump with two pumps.

Answer 1

No way Jose!!  Not sanitary..  I don't care who tells you it's ok..  Unless of course it's hospital grade...  Just b/c you change the tubing on a Pump in Style, doesn't make it safe..  I'd rather spend the money and either rent a hospital grade pump, or buy brand new..  I don't know who is HIV positive, has Hepatitis C, or any other disease, I wouldn't risk it by finding out at my infants expense..  Even my lactation consultant said no way, and she was a hippie to the 5th power LoL..  Save money else where, buy brand new...  PS I have a Pump In Style and love it...  I also rented a hospital pump by Medela, and loved that one even more.

I just want to add one more thing..  People who use or borrow from a friend b/c it is safe, since you know EXACTLY where it came from..  3 words for ya... NO. YOU. DON'T.  My sister has HEP C, and has for many years..  Caught by a tattoo needle, SHE didn't even know she had it...  So, how could I??  I would have trusted a breast pump from her more so than anyone...  You NEVER know..  And to the person who's counselor  said it was a money thing, total BS..  New tubing doesn't = new motor..  I just hate that, you know b/c it's your friend..  No one would've thought my sister had Hep C!

Answer 2

With any breast pump that is used, you can pass on the diseases of the woman who used it before.  Please do not put your child in danger.  It is worth the money to get a new one (and you may want to wait until after the baby is born, because some women have problems).  There are many ways to cut back in other places.

Answer 3

Hi!

I bought the medela swing from ebay and it is second hand, I just went and bought my own kit, it has the tubing, the breast shield, and the little valves, so I basically bought the actual pump, its fine and works great and I saved alot of money, the medelas are the best! Good luck, the pump in style is very good as it comes with everything you need, I also went and bought a cooler bag for mine and the handbag thing so I can easy travel with my milk and the pump

to the lady beneath me, you used a rented pump? whats the difference???

How is buying new tubing etc not sanitary, are you joking me, all I use is the actual machine its had someone elses fingers touching it, thats all.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/index.htm

here is some info on hepatitis and how it is spread

Answer 4

1)  Yes!  It was wonderful

2) I used Medela Pump In Style

Answer 5

I got a used Medela Pump In Style, I just bought new tubing, bottles, etc, I only reused the motor and bag parts.  I asked the lactation consultant and she said that she truly believes that the whole "don't get a used breast pump" thing is just to make more money for the breast pump companies.  She told me that none of the milk ever touches the motors, only the shields, valves and bottles.  The only part that you are re-using is the motor.  

I was lucky enough to get one from a friend though, so I knew exactly where it came from.  I think I would have used it even if I had got it off ebay or something and just done the same things with the accessories.  

It worked just as well as a used pump (why wouldn't it?), but I didn't have good luck with pumping in general.  I eventually even tried a hospital pump, again, with no luck.  That's an even better reason to buy used! You don't know if you will be able to pump or not, some women can't.  I hope that you will be able to, it's much cheaper, easier and healthier then formula, but just a little warning that not everyone can pump, no matter what kind of pump they have.

Answer 6

I think as long as you get new tubing, and all the pump parts you should be fine. The only thing your breast touches is the pump funnel, and the tubing connects to the machine and the the bottom of the pump attachment and never touches human skin. So I agree, not sure why you can't use a "used" pump.

I am lucky enough to live in LA where we have a terrific store called The Pump Station. I have attached a link to their website, you can order all Medela pump parts and they will ship to you. I use the "Pump in Style" and love it.

I think if money is an issue, then please get new parts and use the used pump and the benefits of Breastfeeding should outweigh any concerns you have. I am going on 5 months full BF and LOVE IT!!!

Good Luck!

www.pumpstation.com

Answer 7

Why not rent a pump to be sure you'll use it?  I rented a Medela Symphony double electric hospital grade pump for $80 per month (Shopper's Drug Mart Home Health Care).  It is very quiet and efficient.  It's a double pump too, so it's faster.  I only needed it for 2 months, so it wasn't too expensive.  

As with any pump, you'll have to buy a starter kit (containing the cups and tubing).  These parts are the only ones to touch the milk, and can be easily sterilised.

Answer 8

I know that they are expensive but you do not want to buy a used breast pump. It does not matter that you buy a new kit and tubing. The breast milk can get inside the pump. They do make breast pumps like the Ameda that prevent that from happening so it's okay to buy those used or use hospital grade pumps. It's just not worth the risk to pass something to your baby, buying formula is more expensive than a new breast pump so remember that.  

Answer 9

I have used both electric and manual. Manual is usually cheaper. I liked my manual one because I had control of the speed and stuff. I used an electric one from my health department (the accesories with it were new and hadn't been used) It was ok,but I didn't like that one so much because it didn't seem to get the milk out as fast as my manual one. But it was a strange one,not sure of the brand it was either? Im planing on using the learning curve first years manual one and thier doulble electric one also. I bought the first years manual one a few weeks ago from Learning Curve for a great price!!! You should check it out,see what you think. Im going to be using a used electric pump that my mother-in-law bought for me, so I guess Its ok to use an old one. Just make sure you clean and sterilize all the parts! Its good your going to breastfeed though,so good for the baby! Good luck with everything =)

Answer 10

sorry, but why would you ever want to use a used breast pump? that's very unsanitary in my opinion.

If I were you, forget about the brand and just get an evenflo electric pump at wal-mart for like 50 dollars. thats the kind I have and it works just fine!

Answer 11

As long as you get new tubing and everything I think it would be fine. I will be looking into a used one for our next baby since a new one is a lot of money.

Answer 12

My sister and I use the same pump. Medela Pump in Style. It is great.

Both of us have our own tubing, shields and bottles. I use equipment that came with the pump, my sister uses stuff that she got in the hospital.  

Answer 13

Medela was the best, and mine was 'borrowed.' Steralize it in hot soapy water, do it 2 or 3 or 100 times to make yourself feel better about it having been on someone else's 'breast.' lol  Because a free borrowed one is a heck of a lot cheaper than a several hundered $ new one or even a $20 a month rented one (remember, which has also been used before) lol