I have a manual breast pump from my SIL, which I am fine with using, but I saw some electric breast pumps at the consignment shop for $25. Would you ever buy a used one? I guess it is no worse than renting one from the hospital... and I do plan to pump occasionally for when I go back to work part-time. Are pumps easy to sterilize?

From what I understand it all depends on which brand and what you can replace. If you can replace the tubing and cones (or whatever they are called) than I would say it's fine. If those can't be replaced, I would hesitate. FWIW I know that the Ameda pumps are supposed to be really good used because of some airflow system that prevents milk from getting in to any of the tubing. If you are going back to work and CAN get an electric go for it. It made my life so much easier after having DS.

It depends on what kind. I did buy a used Lactina Select, but that is a closed system. I would not buy anything that was an open system, unless it was from a family member/friend that I really trusted.

I loaned my Medela to a friend and she was able to call up Medela and buy new tubing and the parts that go over your breast. It saved her a bit of money!

I'd be weary of that. Personally, I think it something that you are best buying new.

Many pumps are single user, not to be shared...you never know if the mom had bleeding, cracked nipples or a nasty thrush infection. Some of those single users, even though you think you replace everything, have internal parts that cannot be replace.

Here's a link to more info (http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml).

I looked into this, and apparently with any pump that is not designed for multiple users there is the potential for milk to get into places that cannot be replaced or cleaned. There is info on Medela's website and also elsewhere on the web. So I personally decided against it and plan to buy a new one even though they are so $$$.

I would also question how long it was used and how well it was cared for. I used my pump for over a year (which is how long it's waranteed for) and am not sure that the suction is still good. They can last as long as 10 years (according to the Medela rep) if they are well cared for, but you don't know until you need it. $25 is a good deal IF the pump works well. If not, you're out $25 and still need a pump.

When are you going back to work? An electric pump is a great investment if you are going to be pumping milk for baby on a regular basis.

I bought a used Medela Pump In Style off ebay and I'm seriously regretting it. I didn't know that the FDA and Medela recommend against used breastpumps until after I got it. I thought replacing the tubing and shields would make it sanitary but I was wrong. I'm going to open it up and see what I can autoclave, since I have access to one. Or just try to sell it again on ebay. :o

I loaned my Medela to a friend and she was able to call up Medela and buy new tubing and the parts that go over your breast. It saved her a bit of money!


Medelas are open system pumps so even if you replace tubing etc it is not hygenic to share a pump if you don't know the other user's health status.

I would use an open system if I knew the other woman who had used it and she had never had thrush and had no other communicable cooties.

Renting a pump is different because those are closed systems.

A pump is the one thing that I splurged on when pg with ds. I got the Medela Pump in Style which I really like. Getting a used pump (or borrowing) can also have the downside of not having proper suction if the previous owner/user didn't take good care of it. It could really affect your supply depending on how much/frequently you'll be pumping.

Does any of that help? I know $25 dollars seems like an awfully good deal even though it might not be when it comes right down to it. Sorry to be a downer about getting a used pump.

I'm going to pipe up again for Ameda pumps :) The closed system is what I was trying to explain before (they do have it) and even new they run at least $100 less than the medela PIS. I got mine new, and love love love it. Not super quiet, but that's not the most important thing for me.

So, if you can be sure that it is a closed system, it still might be a good bet. Just do a bit of research on the brand and style :wink

I am going to use the Medela Pump in Style backpack.. it was my sisters so I feel OK using it with new tubing/ sheilds.. but from anyone else except a very close friend whose health status and honesty I was confident in.. no.. unless it is a totally closed system designed for multiple users... (like rental umps and otheres)..

I also got a new manual Medela pump (ins reinburses so free to me!!)

I have never used an electric B4, I hear they are great.. I pumped almost daily last time with an Advent Isis (broke three of them , which they replaced for free!) but I actually got tendinitis in my thumb from it!! so I ma looking forward to the electric!

I wouldn't buy a used pump. I was lucky that I never had thrush or mastitis while I was nursing DD, but most of my friends did, so I think the likelihood that the previous user had an issue like that is pretty high. I wouldn't want to risk it bc BF is so important to me.

I recommend the Medela Pump In Style. It is such a workhorse! I had to pump 8x a day for a while (bleh!) and that thing is still going strong and will be fine for baby #2! I thought it was well worth the $300.

Not in your DDC but I second the Ameda pumps!!!! I bought mine used and it was recommended to me by the LC I was seeing at the time.....

WOW- so many things I didn't think about! Maybe I will see how much a hospital one costs to rent because we really can't swing a new one. Oh heck, maybe I will put one on my registry- I don't have much on it as it is so maybe some people will go in on it for me. Why not? :o Thank you all so much for the helpful advice!

Medelas are open system pumps so even if you replace tubing etc it is not hygenic to share a pump if you don't know the other user's health status.

I would use an open system if I knew the other woman who had used it and she had never had thrush and had no other communicable cooties.




So in light of that, I probably wouldn't buy one either.

We rented a hospital grade Ameda for a month and I can't remember what it cost for the life of me. You pay for the rental plus we had to buy the kit to go with it.

Maybe I will see how much a hospital one costs to rent because we really can't swing a new one.

Depending on where you live, you can rent a medela lactina select for anywhere from $20-$60 a month. Be sure to call around to get the best deal. The one I bought wound up being junk (long story) so I found a little store that sells/rents stuff for women. (stuff for post mastectomy, pumps, etc) and I got a deal for $20 a month. The hospitals I rented from before then charged between $30 and $60 a month.