Thoughts on Borrowing a Friend's Breast Pump, with All New Parts

I say do it. I am trying to borrow my friends. Those things are expensive to buy and rent!!

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I borrowed one, with new shields and tubes. Totally fine. No sense wasting money...you'll have enough expenses coming up. db

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I know they say not to, but I got a used pump also. I got all new parts and felt comfortable with that. I think it's a personal decision, but I, like you, couldn't see how it could be a heath risk if you got all of the new accessories, including the tubing. Good luck!

With all new tubing , etc.: I used my Medela for 1 yr, my SIL used it for 1 yr, I used it again for 1 yr, my friend used it for 1 yr. Then we donated it to a women's clinic/shelter, again with all new accessories, and they were so happy to have it! Like another mom said, "welcome to bf!"

I did the same thing! I borrowed my friends! Getting new parts is all you need!!

I would do it... just sanitize it, it should be fine.

As long as she doesn't have any serious diseases, I would jump all over the opportunity.

The risk is that the motor could become contaminated if the milk backs up in the tubing (it happened to me)...BUT....mostly it's just a CYA statement. If the 'parts' are new, enjoy your new pump!!!

use it. it will be fine.

I think you'd be just fine. Go ahead and use it!!! I hear those are the best pumps around :) Lucky!!!
a friend of mine is lending me hers & I have one of my own. I work FT & pump at work 4x a day. Using both pumps at one time.

Enjoy ur "NEW" pump & welcome to BF ;)

I really don't think there's much risk if any when parts are cleaned, sanitized properly or NEW. They want to sell more pumps! You just can't get it fixed or replaced under warranty if there's a second or subsequent owner.

Go for it. The machine sucks, no blowing is involved. :)

I see no issue at all! The only thing you're reusing is the motor if everything else has been replaced. These are so expensive, and so many moms need a good one, I'm glad she's lending it to you!

I have 2 babies and have used 2 different friends pumps with all new parts. My kids NEVER got sick. Use away!!

HI N.,

Check with your lactation consultant. I seem to remember that there is an issue of possible thrush infection being passed from mom to mom if you are unable to change the air filter. It's been a few years for me, though, so call and check.

Best of luck to you
C.

I bought a used pump. As long as everything the milk touches is new, I don't think there is a problem. I think the real risk is for the pumps where the milk enters the pump, and my pump isn't that type (also a Medela). Plus, this way you can have a really nice pump that you might not normally be able to afford! Go for it!

I used my sister's and had no issues, really it is all in how clean is the equipment.

When I had my DD I borrowed my sister's breastpump. I used all new tubing & shields etc. I used the pump for a year without a single problem. Then I leant it to my best friend who used it for a year (with new accessories) without a problem. Now she is pregnant again and will be using the "used" pump yet again. I see nothing wrong with borrowing a breastpump. I think they just say that stuff to sell more machines!

Same as others mentioned... I borrowed a friend's and replaced the tubes and parts. When she had another and needed it back, I bought her new tubes and parts as a thank you. Save the dough and best of luck with breastfeeding!

you're proooobably fine. But the issue is that pumps for purchase are open systems. Meaning the airflow through the tubing is open to the pump. microscopic milk spray gets into the tube and can get into the machinery. it builds up over time and mold and bacteria form. This can get into the milk and make the baby sick. True. Wish it wasn't. Some pumps are closed systems. The Hygiea, I think? but all the Medela pumps for purchase are not.

also, the pumps only work at full capacity for a certain number of hours. my memory is fuzzy, but it might only be 150 hours? Which is about a year and a half of fulltime pumping. so if it's been used a lot, it might not even be good for a second kid of the original user. plus, if it's been in storage for a while the bacteria issue applies again.

Yes, I too have heard there is a risk. But I did it. Mine ( a pump in style 1998!) was given to me by a full time working mom of 2. Dont know how long she pumped for with each kid but this pump was a work horse. My twins were born early so I pumped 8-12 times a day for 2 months straight while they were in the hospital, then continued to pump 4-8 times a day for a year. I always joked my pump was my best friend! With my 3rd baby (2nd pregnancy) I was nursing upon delivery and didn't really need to pump much at all. But began pumping to have girls nights out. I would say by the time he was 1 1/2 it was getting pretty hard to get milk. I felt like the suction wasnt enough and it was turned up full blast! But then again, Im sure my milk supply was nil since he was older and not nursing a ton. My Sis in law used it at that time and it worked for her better, but she had a newborn and a full supply of milk. She did say tho that it was slower than the new one she ended up getting. So the motor probably does slow down eventually, but if your the 3rd one on the list, it's probably still got plenty of life left in it!

I bought a used pump and just replaced all the tubing and breast shields and stuff and had no problems at all. I would definitely do it again, I saved a ton of money.

When I took a BF class before I had my son, the reason they said that you should buy your own if you can afford it is that Hepatitis (A or B I don't remember) COULD be contracted thru the machine *IF* the mom wasn't paying attention and over-filled the bottles while pumping and milk got sucked into the pump.

Even after hearing this, I gladly took my cousin's Breast Pump (Medela as well) since she'd used it one or two times total and I think she's a pretty clean gal.

After using it, I was like "How on earth could you fill up your bottles w/o noticing? To the point where it's overfilling a bottle and the pump sucks milk back into it?" Never happened with me. Doubtful it would happen often with a mom unless she fell asleep pumping or something strange like that.

----update----
went to www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml and found the risks they state, then below the risks, they say:

These pumps operate on a "closed system", meaning that it is impossible for milk reach the motor, hence these are safe to be used my multiple mothers.

Hollister Elite® Hollister Lact-e®

Hollister SMB® Breast pump®

Medela Classic® Breast pump

Medela Lactina® Breast pump

Medela Symphony® Breast pump

Bailey Nurture III®

Above list subject to change, please consult the FDA site for the most up to date information.

All other pumps are desigened to be single user pumps and shoud not be shared.

I got one from a friend and it worked just fine. I never had a problem with it, though I didn't use it all that often...
Good luck!
R.

The madela pump in style is the same type they have in the hospital, although a slightly different form as the hospital one has to be on wheels. Anyway, they rent that out!!! So the only thing that should never be shared is the tubes and shields.. it's completely fine to borrow or buy a used pump.

Good luck!

With new parts, knowing the person, and proper sanitazing, I say - use it!

I used a friends and got all the supplies FOR FREE from the hospital right after my son was born :0) Worked great.

There is no milk that is processed through the actual pump mechanism on this model so it is definitely okay. I have the exact pump and it has been used by my freinds and family. With all new accesories it is good to go.

Do it, thats what i did

The general consensus among lactation consultants where I gave birth is that this is a money-making ploy by the company, as are some recent changes to how various parts go together. I'd confirm that you can get the parts you need before accepting, but otherwise I think it's fine. My friend offered me use of her breast pump after my daughter was born, but she also knew she'd be trying to get pregnant again fairly quickly. I only declined because I didn't want to worry about when it had to be returned.

i bought mine from a friend & then sold it - after 3 kids - to someone else. I honestly don't see what the 'health' risks would be.

I used my friends medela breast pump and replaced all the parts and everything was fine. I spoke to several people about it and they said it would be ok. I used it for a year and had no problems and all. Go for it.. It is a wonderful gift to be able to use someone else's pump and saves you a lot of money.

Go ahead and use it. I know that they caution against it but I don't see how it would be a problem. I rented one when I had my first--and it was expensive. I could have bought one. There were plenty of times I did not pay attn and overfilled the bottles but no milk got into the actual motor. When you got baby, you got very tired! When I spoke to the rep that rented it to me, she told me they do not open the pump. They run it and make sure the suction is good, etc so that it does not break down for the next person. I had a Lansinoh pump this last time and never had a problem with milk entering the motor either.

The danger in borrowing a used breast pump is sharing foreign bacteria or viruses such as mastitis, or a yeast infection (if your child had thrush), etc. Sometimes, if a person is not careful, milk can get into the machine putting you and your child at risk.
However, if you know your friend did not have any of these issues, and if she was very careful with her machine and cleaned it and the parts regularly, you should be fine.
I bought mine off of Craig's List and there were no issues for me and my son. There is a risk, but the risk is small.

Several people borrowed my pump-in style in between my two children. I had asked the lactation clinic at my hospital and they said it was fine just as long as you bought new tubing, bottles, & shields. I know someone wrote that it's only good for so many hours but I know my pump went way more hours then they said was the maximum, and never had a problem. I loved my pump, and would absolutely borrow your friend's with no hesitation!

I picked my pump up off Freecycle, and the mother who was passing it along had used it with three of her children. Worked just fine for me and I've passed it along too. Mine was the same Medela by the way. The things are workhorses. Use it until you can't. I'm not sure what sort of health risks could be possible, as the milk doen't go through the tubes connected to the machine; and even if it accidentally did, it's highly unlikely that some leftover bacteria on the machine is going to travel up the new tube and into the bottle. Hmmm...

I borrowed the very same model from my cousin, after she had used it for two children, and I used it for over a year w/ no issues. You'll be fine /w new tubing, etc. Good luck w/ breastfeeding!!

I borrowed my cousin's pump, endless Thank You's to her! I bought new tubing and that's it. No problem.

i did it and was fine. just wondering though if she will be ok with it if the motor goes or something, probably unlikely since it seems pretty new, but that would be the only thing i would be concerned about nothing else.

I wouldn't have an issue borrowing a friends breast pump. Especially since you got new tubes and all.

Best wishes!
M.

I would do it! They are so expensive. When I am done I would gladly give mine away to a mom who didn't want the expense. I think as long as all the parts are new, you are good to go:) Come to think of it I used my own when I had my second almost three years after my first born needed it. We didn't have any problems. I just purchased all new tubing etc. So I really think you are ok!

Take it. Those pumps are pricey! Just buy all new "accessories" and you are good to go.