[nintendork]

<p>My sister-in-law is awesome and gave me her Medela Pump in Style Advanced breast pump (she had her baby in October and then had to have several eye surgeries that caused her milk to dry up so it has hardly been used).  I would normally want to sterilize a new pump but we heard from my mother-in-law that SIL had mastitis twice during the short time that she breast fed so now I am feeling even more cautious.  What would you do to make you feel comfortable using this pump?  Are there parts that should be replaced?  cleaned?  sterilized?  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>TIA!</p>

 

[Jenne]

I received the same pump and honestly, I don't understand all the "Don't Share Breast Pumps!" and "Get New Tubing!" anxiety. As far as I can tell (and I confess I did try it out...) the milk is only ever in contact with the inside of the horns (not sure if that is the right term) and the bottle/bag. So why replacing the tubing is vital I don't understand. I was told I needed to get new tubing but it works fine with the current tubing and like I said I don't understand what the deal is...<br><br>
So, in essence I am *absolutely* no help! <img alt="orngbiggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif"><br><br>
Hopefully a wiser, experienced mama can post with some actual advice for us! <img alt="orngbiggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif"><br><br>
(Um, can you believe it is time to think/talk about this!!!! OMG!!!)<br><br>
Jenne

 

[nintendork]

<p>I can't believe it either!  I feel a little lost on teh whole breast feeding thing.  It is really important to me but my mother insists it won't work, >sigh<.  She says she was unable to breast feed any of us and I shouldn't bother.  She also says she was unable to go into labor on her own and HAD to have pitocin.  That is just silly, especially considering my brother was induced and was a premie.  </p>

 

[Twinklefae]

<p>I wouldn't worry too much about it.  The biggest concerns are the theoretical possibility of contracted HIV or Hep from someone else.  Yeast CAN be passed through a breast pump, but you can boil the majority of the parts on a PIS, which would kill it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't worry about it, and I bought a used pump from Kijiji with my first so I obviously don't worry about it.  Actually I bought 2 used pumps - an Avent Isis and a PIS.  We bought a new one this time (Avent Isis) but that's because I wanted the BPA-free version.</p>

 

[dakotablue]

<p>I'd just buy new breast horns and attachment, not the tubing. considering your getting a great pump for free I'd spend the bit to get the replacement parts, but then again I'm a little weird. I would feel like it was like sharing underwear.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If your cool with that then I'd just boil all the parts as nothing would potentially survive.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oh and don't listen to you mom...geez its amazing how much bad advice is out there. Best thing to do is to make sure you are really really well hydrated.</p>

 

[Pearl1]

<p>i'd get new breast shields, connectors, valves, and bottles.  i think the tubing is fine. </p>

 

[smeep]

<p>The whole "don't use previously used breast pumps" thing is because of the fact that all pumps (except hospital grade ones) have little areas where a little bit of milk can get in...and so the worry is of HIV and other things like that. Hospital grade pumps are made differently so they're considered "safe" so long as tubing and other parts that have direct contact with milk is replaced (hence the replacement parts packages that they sell for hospital grade pumps). But for non-hospital grade pumps they don't recommend using them at all if another woman has, replaced tubing or not.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Honestly...if you trust your SIL, I wouldn't worry. Not to mention the fact that after a certain amount of time, those diseases and bacteria eventually die off. I wouldn't even think of worrying about the fact that she had mastitis. It won't give you or your baby mastitis or anything else.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Once I get my CLE I'll have to say, "I have to advise against it...but here's the info and do what you want." Until then...I'm gonna say, go for it! <img alt="winky.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/winky.gif"></p>

 

[smeep]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>nintendork</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1284500/used-breast-pump#post_16104583"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I can't believe it either!  I feel a little lost on teh whole breast feeding thing.  It is really important to me but my mother insists it won't work, >sigh<.  She says she was unable to breast feed any of us and I shouldn't bother.  She also says she was unable to go into labor on her own and HAD to have pitocin.  That is just silly, especially considering my brother was induced and was a premie.  </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
The vast majority of "I couldn't breastfeed" cases were really cases of "I didn't have proper information/support." I wouldn't worry about it, mama! Seriously. And if you ever need any local help you can just PM me and ask. I can give you lots of local references and all that jazz. You'll do GREAT! I had a lot of information and wonderful support and I <em>still</em> fell victim to a lot of booby traps. But the two biggest reasons were 1) because I didn't ask questions because I thought such-and-such was just something else minor or normal, and 2) I didn't follow my instincts. If you follow your instincts and ask questions, no matter HOW dumb you think they are, you can't go wrong. <img alt="orngbiggrin.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif"></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Twinklefae</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1284500/used-breast-pump#post_16104783"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Yeast CAN be passed through a breast pump, but you can boil the majority of the parts on a PIS, which would kill it. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Not to mention yeast only lives for about 3 days outside of warm, moist bodily areas. So I certainly wouldn't worry about yeast at all. </p>

 

[ComplexOphelia]

<p>Are you birthing at a hospital?  Often they've got free sets of tubing, etc., that they'll just give you - I've actually got three sets of tubing and bottles for my pump!  There's also sterilizing bags for Medela products that you put in the microwave - but washing them with hot, soapy water should be plenty in this case.  Mastitis is often caused more by poor breastfeeding management (not to say that it was SIL's fault, some people are more susceptible to it).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I totally agree that you're going to want to get some good breastfeeding support for right after the birth!  Do you have a local La Leche League?  Going to meetings now in preparation would probably be helpful.  I also love the new edition of <span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding</span> - it's fun to read and provides really great guidance.  The first few hours and days after birth are so important for establishing a good nursing relationship - with information, you will totally rock it out!</p>

 

[trekkingirl]

<p>check with your babies pediatrician. If he/she will prescribe a hospital pump through your insurance for x amount of time you can keep all the attachments.The hospital pumps are medela and the attachments are universal. You would save a lot of money that way. That's what I did. </p>

 

[nintendork]

<p>Wow this is amazing information everyone, thank you.  I looked on amazon and i can get replacement parts for under $30 so i think my husband and i will sit down and look it over later and make a decision.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Luckily the hospital where i am delivering has a free breast feeding class that i am taking in January, a free consultant for right after the birth and a free support group I can attend.  And of course i have all of you  </p>