Use a Used Pump?

[HikeMama]

My sister gave me her pump a few years after she was done with it. She had let her sister in law use it as well and it was a few years since then too. We got all new parts. They had & have clear health histories. There was never a milk backup into the machine. It worked for me fine and all was well. My sister would now like to use it. I, personally, have no qualms about this and neither does she. We both have clear health histories and plan on changing out all the external parts. I have spoken with the company that made the machine about whether or not it still works properly after multiple children because someone told me that's a concern. They told me that it works fine after multiple children but just to refresh the outside parts. I know that sharing pumps is not recommended by the FDA. I also read that there has never been a documented case of disease transfer from a used pump. What do you think about this? Have you ever used a used pump or given it to someone else to use?

[neonalee]

I was planning to until the friend who lent it to me got pregnant again. At that point I figured if I was going to have to buy my own eventually I might as well do it now. So, I haven't, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

[firewoman]

I know that technically you aren't supposed to but I think when you use all new parts including tubing it should be fine.

[jeminijad]

I won't, but not for any safety reason.

Since I WOHM, when nursing I depend on a pump to maintain my supply. I cannot afford it to fail, and they do start to die after a few years (that has been my experience with PIS and PY.) So, I want a pump I bought myself recently and know how it has been handled.

If money was very tight, or I just wanted to use it occasionally, then sure, I would do it.

[SophieAnn]

I plan to. My SIL is going to pass on her hospital-grade pump to me. I haven't seen it yet, but I will replace whatever tubing it makes sense to replace. I'm not concerned about a used pump from family or a close friend.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

I wouldn't use the pump you described because it sounds like it has been use a lot. I have low supply so performance is a must have for me. I guess for someone with ample supply for occasional use it would be okay.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

Yes but hospital grade pumps are made for multiple users. The motor is built to be used a lot.

Originally Posted by SophieAnn

I plan to. My SIL is going to pass on her hospital-grade pump to me. I haven't seen it yet, but I will replace whatever tubing it makes sense to replace. I'm not concerned about a used pump from family or a close friend.

[Sfcmama]

I would take it. I inherited a pump used rarely by two moms before me. I just bought all new parts and had the suction checked at a local baby resouces store.
My feeling is that the warning not to share is due to liability rather than informed logic...

[jecombs]

If I knew all the people who had used it, sure, I would take it! But like pps have mentioned, don't be surprised if it's nearing the end of it's life cycle.

[Lit Chick]

My first pump was a used one, and not top-of-the-line at that. It worked... but not well. I did not realize that it was the pump and not me until I spoke to a lac consultant and rented a hospital grade pump for a month (and pumped fine).
Make sure that the new mama knows that a used pump's suction may start to fail, and if she has any issues to test the machine / try a different one rather than assume her supply is the problem.

[JenRN]

I am lucky enough to work at a hospital and have access to a hospital-grade pump in the lactation consultant's office, but I did get a used pump from a friend to use at home. It's worked out well for us so far, but I only use it a few times a week at most.

As long as you change out pump parts, and your sister knows that it might conk out eventually from so much use, I'd go for it!

[TabithaB]

I am using a used pump now. Just replace the tubing, etc. I replaced the horns and all that stuff also. You can get the supplies reasonably at Babies R Us. Just keep in mind that it may need to replaced eventually, depending on how much you use it and how much it has been used. But go for it and see how long it holds up.