Would you buy a used pump? - Page 2

[ChetMC]

I Said No

A friend of mine nearly stopped breastfeeding. It was desperately painful, and she nursed in agony for months. Eventually, they figured out that she had yeast even though the baby had no symptoms. I strongly suspect that she got it from the used pump she had. The motor can't be sterilized, but if you're replacing everything down to the motor you might as well buy a new pump.

The other issue is the lifespan of a pump. I'd rather pay $200 to $300 for a double electric pump and have the whole lifespan to use it than pay $100 for a used pump and only get six months or a year out of it, or less. A mom posted here a couple of months back about buying a used pump and the motor dying right after she bought it. I've certainly read posts from moms who had their double electric last for four years of daily use, but I'm not under the impression that they're engineered for that. I thought that anything beyond two years of daily pumping was considered a bonus.

[chi_mama]

The motor can't be sterilized, but if you're replacing everything down to the motor you might as well buy a new pump.

actually you should be able to replace everything for about $50

The other issue is the lifespan of a pump. I'd rather pay $200 to $300 for a double electric pump and have the whole lifespan to use it than pay $100 for a used pump and only get six months or a year out of it, or less.

I totally agree with this. If your going to buy a used pump it should be one that was used less. I gave mine away after 14 months of pumping 6 times a day/4 days a week. I didn't feel right selling it. The person I gave it so only pumps about 10 times a week and it's still working after 12 months.

But unless your planning on pumping for a couple of years I think a used one if fine. Even a new pump is probably not going to get you through several children anyways.

[ChetMC]

[QUOTE=chi_mama;13387942]actually you should be able to replace everything for about $50[/QUOTE

The replacement motor used to be $90. Where can you get it for less? Mine is making a weird noise, and I'm worried that it won't hold out for baby four.

[2xy]

Okay....say the inner guts of the pump get sprayed with BM.

If it's your own pump, and it's your BM, wouldn't bacteria grow in it? Wouldn't that be a risk, too?

Seems to me that the only milk making its way into the receptacle is the milk in the tubing. If milk particles from the inner workings made their way back into the tubing, then I'd be worried even if it was my own, brand new pump!

I don't see how someone else's BM particles in the motor are going to get into the tubing and into whatever container you're collecting milk in.

Am I making sense? I'm having difficulty conveying exactly what I mean.

[chi_mama]

The replacement motor used to be $90. Where can you get it for less?

oh, oops, I meant everything else... tubes, shields, flanges etc... Actually I didn't know you could replace the motor. cool.

Okay so I see your point. If your going to pay $100 and really replace everything then you may as well pay the $300 for a new one.

[Bellabaz]

Voted yes

I got my pump for free from my sil. She only used it a little. I got new flanges b/c the ones that came iwth it weren't my size and sterilized the tubing. The milk doesn't go through the whole pump. there is no need to replace the motor etc. It wasn't a big deal to me and I exclusively pumped for a year and we were fine.

[KBinSATX]

No I wouldn't buy a used pump. I'd rather have a new manual than a used electric pump.
That being said though I work from home and my kids just get it straight from the boob so I am not as desperate for a really efficient pump system as somebody that works away from home and has to get lots of milk pumped.

[Dahlea]

yes but i bought new parts and it was from someone i know.

[eastkygal]

I used my step-sister's/best friend's Medela and her tubing, but I would buy new tubing for any one else's pump. YKWIM.

[HairyArmpits]

Originally Posted by LittleBlessings

I have in the past purchased a used pump and did not think anything of it. I was unaware of the risks.

:

[mushka3000]

Ameda pumps are made so that only the tubing is in contact with the milk.

[Meredith&Alexander]

I bought a used Lactina on eBay, specifically so I could share it, loan it out, and resell it with no guilt.

I got it for $200 with $20 shipping, which is an awfully good deal considering I can resell it for that much or more. It's a good idea to call Medela with the serial # to check if it's a rental that wasn't returned, but this one wasn't, so we're good.

[rightkindofme]

Originally Posted by Say

Of course, I can see why LLL and the FDA would say 'no' based on hypothetical possible risks under certain circumstances, even if there has never been a single, documented case of a problem. I just can't worry that much!

This. I think our society is ridiculously over paranoid. Clean the pump carefully and there really isn't likely to be a problem. A girlfriend gave me her used pump and I'm eternally grateful.

[Qestia]

Originally Posted by mamassong

Also FWIW, From Breastfeeding.com:
Here are some common breastpumps that are labeled "single user" devices:
The Medela Pump In Style Breastpump
The Isis Breast Pump by Avent"

How could the Isis possibly be single user? The whole thing is about the size of your hand and could totally be sterilized.

[Qestia]

Originally Posted by 2xy

Okay....say the inner guts of the pump get sprayed with BM.

If it's your own pump, and it's your BM, wouldn't bacteria grow in it? Wouldn't that be a risk, too?

I always wondered about this too... it seems if BM really was making its way back inside the pump the mold factor would be a lot more of a health risk than anything else.

[soccermama]

New tubing would be bought and it would be nice to have one at work and one at home. That would be the only reason why I would buy a used one.

[RunnerDuck]

Originally Posted by 2xy

Okay....say the inner guts of the pump get sprayed with BM.

If it's your own pump, and it's your BM, wouldn't bacteria grow in it? Wouldn't that be a risk, too?

Seems to me that the only milk making its way into the receptacle is the milk in the tubing. If milk particles from the inner workings made their way back into the tubing, then I'd be worried even if it was my own, brand new pump!

I don't see how someone else's BM particles in the motor are going to get into the tubing and into whatever container you're collecting milk in.

Am I making sense? I'm having difficulty conveying exactly what I mean.

I have read that yeast can be a problem. If you have thrush your pump can be infected and you can reinfect yourself every time you pump. Which is crazy... but I have heard this can happen which would mean yes there is a risk even as a single user.

But for serious life threatening "Oh my god I infected my baby with WHAT?" type illnesses - supposedly, never a documented case. Our world is all about "cover your ass." No one wants to be sued for anything and rather than allow peopleto have personal responsibility, the professionals just scare us to do what they think is what's right - and what's right is what reduces their risk of being sued.

Anyway.

The real risk of buying a used pump is the suction might, well, suck.

When I was pregnant with my twins I saw the Pump in Style (original) on drugstore.com for $200. That was the pump I figured I would want - but of course why would I need to pump? I never pumped for my son. Surely my girls would have all milk, all on tap, no formula, no bottles, because I would be a lactating super mama and not need a pump. So I didn't buy it when I saw it.

I didn't know that low price was because it was being d/c'ed.

So my girls were preemies and my supply sucked and I ended up having to rent a pump (Lactina SELECT) and it worked well but the $30 a month, I felt, I should buy a pump... I tried a Medela Double Ease from a friend before renting but it didn't work so well - the rental place checked it and the suction was not where it should be. Used + old = bad suction. So either keep renting... or buy...

I wanted the PIS original because I liked controlling both speed and suction (as the SELECT allows - the Lactina original does not)

Well darn it if the PIS original was no where to be had, only the advanced.

I tried a Symphony from another rental place (which is the hospital version of the Advanced) and I just didn't get as much milk from it. Oh, it was nice to look at ! Such a pretty yellow. But it didn't work as well.

I found a PIS original on Ebay - new in box - I ordered it - it came - the box had been opened. Grrrrrr. But it looked, smelled new - was in plastic - to be safe I took it to the rental place and had them test it. The suction was not where it should be. Old + unused = bad suction. Ebay guy took the pump back, yay.

I bought a Ameda and it worked for me - the Ameda is like the PIS original and only $150 brand new if you don't go for the accessories which you don't need - just use the hospital freebie formula bag to store it in! BUT - I gave up on pumping after another month or two anyway. It was so much hassel and I thought I was making enough to do all boob on tap... which I wasn't... but I digress.

Anyway. What I learned.

Home pumps are warrented for one year. Why ? Well - some times they will last longer than that - but a lot of times they will conk out. They will still work, but not as well.

That is the biggest risk to buying a used pump - or even using your own old pump. Any lactation sales place should be able to test it for you - they shove some gauge in the horns and see what the PSI is.

For my money I would have been better renting. I don't know why I got this wild hair to own my own - but I did. Oh well! Now I have this pump laying around I used less than 2 months. Whoops.

People think they will get their money's worth if they buy their own pump, vs. renting. But you can't really look at that $300 price tag (and really I have issues with Medela pricing them so high and having such snob appeal to them) and say, well, if I rented every month and plan to have X kids, it will be worth it - because the pump might die after one kid. At $30 a month to rent (estimate) - that's 10 months of renting for the price of new - it seems like easy math - but it may not be. For your $300 you have a pump that may last a year or more, or may not. For your $30 a month, you always have a top-notch pump.

You also may get more milk with the rental (esp. the Lactina select ) so build up a stash and have more milk in storage plus a better milk supply - it's just not all equal. You can't just figure in price.

BUT suction is the biggest worry when it comes to buying used, not germs.

OMG I just wrote a novel on breastpumps. If you've read this far, thanks.

[blizzard_babe]

Yes, I would and have. However, I purchased it from someone who I would also allow to nurse DS.

[Birdie B.]

Originally Posted by Say

My best friend gave me her Medela Advanced Pump n' Style. I bought all new tubing and breast shields and when I phoned Medela and told them it was used, they told me how to clean the inside membrane in case it had accumulated dust.

Me too. I didn't buy it, but I would have, from her. She barely used it anyway (she was a SAHM), and so it was practically new. I know her well enough that I didn't worry about anything. I also stay home with my daughter, and rarely pump. And if it breaks down, I'll buy a new one. But it was sooooo nice not to have to spend that $350 or whatever they cost new!

[Talula Fairie]

I would. I really wouldn't be that concerned about it. It's pretty rare that milk backs up into the motor, and even if it did, even more rare that could cause problems with the milk you pump. Most diseases will die pretty quickly once exposed to the atmosphere.