Using a Used Pump?

I borrowed a Medela pump (from different friends) with both of my babies. I bought the hoses etc. new (you can find dealers on the Medela website.) I think any chance of bacterial contamination would be pretty small, although it's true that a little bit of milk can get into the hoses and sucked into the pump. (How it would get back out again, I can't imagine.)

I'd ask around and see if anyone you know has one you can borrow or buy first. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable knowing something about the history of the pump rather than just buying one from e-bay if I could.

I bought a used pump off of eBay, then bought all new funnels, tubes and connections. I know that people advise against it, but I wanted two pumps -- one at home and one to leave at work so I didn't have to schlep one back and forth. For me, it worked perfect. I bought a new one from the lactation consultant, then later bought the same model off eBay used for much less money. It worked fine and we never had a problem.

I was concerned about buying from someone reputable, but also didn't want to buy from someone who only bought and sold pumps. I'd try to find one where there's only been one owner and the pump is good quality. I was also stressed about warrenties, but I didn't have any issues.

I nursed 2 children - my oldest for 15 months and my youngest for 10 months and the only pump I ever used was the Advent Hand Pump (about $50). I didn't go back to work, but I still would pump fairly often. It kept my supply up on a trip to Paris when my oldest was 6 months old (and the pumping before to have a supply while I was gone. And once while I was pumping while at a wedding reception (my baby just 6 weeks) - my sister-in-law had the same age baby (3 days younger) and came out to the car to pump too. She had an expensive hospital grade electric and I had the Advent Hand Pump. I got out the same amount in the same time as she did. My sisters also have the Advent and love it. Good Luck! M.

Amaris:

Another concern about a used pump is you don't know if it is still works well. Bought pumps have a life span usually of only 3 years... You do not know when you buy one what condition the moter is in.

Please call me and we can talk about some options.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Hi Amaris,
I used my sister-in-laws and I had no problems. I was fortunate and got the tubes and breast shields from when I stayed at the hospital so the only thing that was the same was the actual pump. I had no problems, and can tell you that the expensive pump was so worth it....it is much faster.

I bought a hospital grade Medela lactina off ebay and brand new hoses and shields. the hospital grade was so worth it!! it was about $300 all told, but I was able to double pump and fast! I only ever had ten minutes at a time to pump at work. The lactina is fine to be used by more than one mom, so my friend is borrowing it now. She took it to the hospital and they gave her new tubes and accessories. They also have new pumps for sale on ebay. It was the first thing I ever bought on ebay and I'm so glad someone suggested it to me. The Lactina and I believe Ameda brands are ok to use by more than one person with new accessories. Just be wise about ebaying--common sense to avoid scams and you should be fine. you could also check Craigs List. Good luck and happy nursing!

Can't tell if you've already received any information like this, but oh well:

Buying a used one is fine...so long as you buy new tubing and breast shields (not very expensive at all). I have the Medela Pump N' Style, and it is not hard to find tubing and breasts shields for it. I also found Medela's "microwave" bags for sterilization EXTREMELY useful.

Also, if you have health insurance, check to see if they'll cover some of the expense for a new one. My health insurance covered 80% of mine when i bought it because my doctor "prescribed" it for me when I went back to work (6 weeks after my son was born).

Hope this helps.

M.

i would definitely err on the side of safety and get a new one. do you have health insurance? i was concerned about the cost as well and the lactation specialist at the hospital suggested filing a claim to my insurance. she said other clients of hers were able to get it covered that way. unfortunately, getting used to being a new mom and everything that comes along with it i never was able to file one so can't speak from personal experience if that would have worked. i know that babies r us sometimes have coupons to offset the cost. i went with the medela pump and style. i only wish i got the back pack style so i would have freed up my hands more with all the stuff i was lugging to and from work. it was rough, but in the end was well worth it. best of luck!

I would do it. When I had my baby, I was worried about the same thing so I bought a new one for $300.00. It was worth every penny but after using it, I realized i could have bought one used. I would buy used, then purchase the hoses, sheilds, cups and gear at babies r us. Keep in mind that many woman buy these pumps with the intention of actually breast feeding, then end up not using them becasue they ended up feeding their baby formula. My gilrfriend did this. She used the pump once and it sat in her closet for a year. She sold hers on Ebay. Also, if you can rent them from the hospital, these are "used". good Luck!

As long as the pump is in good working order I don't see a problem with getting a used one. In fact, if you get an Ameda Purely Yours, you don't even need to buy new hook-ups for it, because everything that actually could ever touch the milk can be sterilized (just put in boiling water for 5-10 minutes). The Amedas are a "closed" system - the only pump on the market like this - so I personally woulnd't have any problem getting one used. Check ebay, craigslist, etc. Or if you have a friend you can borrow one from, that works too. I am planning on loaning mine to a friend starting this summer - my son will be 14 months and she's due in July - for a year or so until we decide to have kid #2.

I think....that you should be alright with using a "used" pump as long as you purchase your own attachments. (the bottles, shields, tubing, etc.) all of which can be purchased at Target or Babies R Us. The pump itself is a machine and the milk doesn't go in it.
I hope this helps...