Okay to use hand-me-down pump if I replace parts?

[Blanca78]

Hi, I'm totally new to breastfeeding (baby due April/May). My cousin gave me a Medela double electric Pump In Style. It's been pretty heavily used--needs a new transformer. I was thinking if I bought the replacement transformer, new tubes, and a new accessory kit (from the website:

	Price per unit	Order Quantity
	The Medela Breastpump Accessory Kit contains four 5 oz collection bottles with lids, two yellow valves and white membranes, two 24mm (medium size) standard Medela breastshields,two Quick Clean Steam Bags and the Medela Breast Feeding information Guide. This kit can be used to refurbish your previously used pump. However, you would still need to purchase pump tubing (shown below)

Would the pump then be safe to use? I've heard about bacteria contamination but I just have no idea what I'm doing. Even with replacing all this stuff for around $40-$50, it would be WAY cheaper than buying an equivalent electric pump.

TIA!

[bedsharer1015]

I did the same thing as you.  I changed all tubing and and the part that goes over your breast.  I asked my doctor and he told me it was perfectly fine since those are the only things that can get contaminated.  It is so much cheaper!!

[Blanca78]

Great, thanks!

[Meredith&Alexander]

I disagree- the PIS is designed as a single-user pump and does not have a sealed motor, which means milk can back up into the pump and grow funky stuff.  The FDA just sent them a warning letter about the design issues with it:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm245251.htm 

It also has a bad reputation of wearing out, gradually losing suction and sabotaging pumping efforts.  Personally, I wouldn't invest another dime in it.

[Peony]

Like another poster mentioned, the PIS is not a closed system pump, there is not anyway to replace all the parts that milk comes into contact with. More of a concern then diseases, would be mold issues inside the casing which is known to happen, hence the FDA letter. There is no way to check without tearing apart and breaking the pump. Mold in a pump can cause nasty thrush issues. 

[Marissamom]

after reading about the mold issues, I wouldn't even use the PIS through one baby. depending on how much you're going to need to be pumping, I would get either a good manual, or invest in a new electric that doesn't have the design flaw that the PIS does. 

[MsFortune]

I'd do it.  Your milk never goes into the pump itself - just the tubing.

As for the mold, the problem that the FDA identified has nothing to do with "sharing" a pump - this could happen with a single user, too.  I'd just sniff and make sure it did not smell musty.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

how much is the transformer? IF it is heavily used no way i would use it, some other part could go out when you need it most, and no warranty, never mind the mold concerns. There are only a handful of pumps that are deemed safe to be used by more than one user, I know that the medela gets rave reviews, but I didn't see much difference in pumping output between the hospital grade medela symphony and my avent isis manual. With the baby I have bought and ameda purely yours.

[Blanca78]

The transformer was around $25. I think I will look further into the mold thing but I might just get a lower-end electric pump, since at least through 9 months or so I'm not going to need to pump very often (only working part time until then). Thanks for all these responses--very helpful!