Sharing a Breast Pump

Also keep in mind most pumps are created as single use pumps ad won't usually last through more then one mom if she used it a bunch.

I think everyone else has been pretty helpful, yes there is a risk, but it is most likely minimal, so just be informed.

I did a bit of research on this a year ago as I was given my aunt's medela pump and contemplated the same as you. Here is what I found and what I did:

YES LADIES THERE IS A RISK: THE AMOUNT OF RISK DEPENDS ON YOUR SITUATION!!!!!!!
Tech. speaking, hospital-grade pumps can be fully taken appart and sanitized where as individual pumps can not, making the internal parts not able to be sanitized fully. This can possibly cause concern because breast milk can harbor disease and infection, and though the internal parts are not supposed to come in contact with the actual fluids in milk, the disease/infection can travel through the moist air that enters through the tubing AND, if the pump for some reason backs up, it can "spill" into the interior parts causing contamination! Plus, the research says it should never be used by a second person because these deseases/infections can go un-diagnosed/un-found in mothers and babies making it hard to know if the first user was a carier.
No maker of personal pumps will honor warranties of pumps used by anyone other than the original buyer. Also, no lactation consultant will ever recomend you use one other than new either.
When I asked several consultants about it, they all advised against it, even with it being my aunts, but a couple did act like it was a bit "more" safe since it was a family member than a coleague or stranger.
As I did further research, I read from a reliable source (though I don't remember the name of the source at this time-sorry) that sharing a pump was like sharing a tooth brush. It said if you would't share a tooth brush with that person, don't share a pump with them either.

After looking into the research and talking with the consultants: though they never SAID OK, prob. b/c of legality (didn't want to risk being sued should anything happen), it was like they could see it being ok in my situation (could tell from body language). These consultants (the ones I talked to) never make a dime off of sales (as someone said they think it was all about sales, and that may be from corporate like Madela, but not here), so that did not influence their "decission", but they still wouldn't commit to an "OK". I did decide though that it would be fine for me to do so. After all, I WOULD use my aunt's toothbrush in a bind and after some (even if minute)cleaning/disinfecting it in hot, boiling water, as best as I could. And, though possible, I highly doubted she had any disease that would put me or my babies (2 from 2 pregs.)in harm.
Well, I got all new parts and starilized as much as I could on the pump and parts(I took the diaphram cover off and "cleaned" the diaphram and anything else I could get to and sterilized the new parts b/c you don't know what they come in contact with in the making of them). I'm on my second baby and both are very healthy! I figured my decision was better than formula no matter what and as long as I was logical about where the pump came from. For me, the risk (none to very little) outweighed the benefit (free, breast is best, etc).

I say as for you, the choice is totally yours: IS IT WORTH THE RISK? In my case, I saw no or very little risk. In your case, do you see any risks? Would you use her toothbrush? Would you let your baby(ies) use her toothbrush? Simply buying all new accessories does not eliminate the risks, just lowers them. People do use others pumps all the time (way more than should probably), most with no known probs. You are at an advantage over buying/using from someone you don't know or don't know all that well, but there is a (even slight) risk! I'm not saying don't do it (as I did use my aunts) and not saying do it either, just know the health history and the person well from whom you recieved the pump and contemplate does the benefit outweigh the risk? For me, it did!

Best of luck!

T.

The breast pump I used was purchased from a friend's sister. I then lent it to my sister in law. Like the other ladies said, just buy new accessories. None of the fluids get into the pump itself and the pump is not pushing anything out again, so I'm not sure where the problem is.

I have to agree with the majority on this one.
There's nothing wrong with sharing a pump! Sterilize
and buy new accesories and that's all you need to do.
Congrats on your baby girl!
~N.~

There is no risk with sharing. Just by new accessories- the tubes - and it will keep you under $10. No need to buy a new pump.

You can use the Pump that your friend gave you, and if you are worried about contamination, buy all new parts for it. They aren't very expensive once you own the pump it's self. Medela is great though, it is the best! I have bought others and they don't compare.

There's a possibility of contamination... kind of like there's the possibility of getting something from a toilet seat. The odds of actually getting something are poor. Simultaneously, people who could lose their livelihoods if you "got something" can't afford that liability, since you can't take the thing apart and there is the possibility - however small - that milk could back up and could contain something and could make someone sick.

That said, I shared - we just used our own tubes & cups.

I borrowed a friend's pump and didn't have any trouble. She is due in February and will be using the pump again after sharing it with me. I read up on the same issue before deciding to share. The hospital pumps are different because the parts that actually come into contact with breast milk are never shared where as the regular pumps don't have those parts that come off (if I remember correctly..). Some web sites warn that shared pumps can spread disease. I know some people may disagree with me, but since you know the person that is lending you the pump, I wouldn't worry about it because you know that she is healthy. My sister in law even pumped with a pre-owned pump, and she didn't know the previous owner. The good ones are so expensive, so I think it's prefectly reasonable to borrow one. There are some great lactation consultants on Mamasource, so they may have a different stance.

You don't have to share the parts. Target sells them. Just go buy all new parts. It will still be a lot cheaper than buying a new pump but you don't have to worry about sharing parts.

Sharing the pump is no biggie, just buy all new "accessories".

Good Luck!
April

If you don't want it, I WILL TAKE IT!!! Message me if u need to...

I, too, have heard that there are risks. I know that hospital grade pumps (which can cost close to $2,000) can be completely sanitized. The problem with using a regular pump has more to do with the natural bacteria and viruses of the mom who used it before. Even though it's unlikely milk actually backed up into the pump through the tubes, it's really the mist from the milk - microscopic particles that can cause the problem. When these get into the pumping mechanism, you can't see them (just like you can't see the flu virus on a doorknob). They can get passed into the bottles as you pump with every puff of air. Warm, sugary milk is a great breeding ground for germs.

I have heard the risk is lower when using a pump from a close family member, like a sister because the bacteria are likely similar to mom's (against which the baby has protection from mom's milk).

If you trust the person the pump belonged to and you know without a shadow of a doubt that the person doesn't have hepatitis, HIV, etc, then the benefit might outweigh the risk.

If you have any doubts whatsoever about the health (or trustworthiness) of the person who gave you the pump, you might consider buying a new one for your own peace of mind.

On a different note ... even pumps from people you trust can wear out over time. You might want to buy a new one that you know won't be less effective because a motor is wearing out.

I know it's a tough choice, but think of it this way. Even if you spend $250 on a new pump, you have peace of mind, and it will pay for itself in a couple of month because you won't be buying cans of formula at $25 per can.

Whatever your decision, as long as you're comfortable with it, is the right one.

Best wishes and congratulations!

I got a used Medela pump when my daughter was born from a friend of mine and we just replaced all of the tubes and parts. There is a risk, so you have to make that decision for yourself, but after looking at the pump, my husband and I decided that there was no way any milk could have gotten into the unit itself and felt comfortable just replacing the parts on it.

Most professionals will tell you not to reuse non-hospital grade pumps, but judging by the responses you've gotten, I think it's pretty common. Just be sure you're replacing the parts and again...you have to use your best judgement for your family.

Best of luck and congrats!

I would, have, and will share a pump. Lactation consultants and breastpump makers will tell you that it's a bad idea, because there's a chance some of the milk can get into the pump. But, I truly believe this is a sales tactic on their part to try to sell more pumps! If you actually use a pump, you'll see that milk never gets into the pump, as milk never gets into the tubes - just the cones and bottles.

I bought new pump parts (cones, tubes, bottles) and used a borrowed pump without a worry.