New and question

[slane]

Hello everyone.
I am new to this forum, TTM planning to breastfeed and pump. I am over at may15 and figured you all might be the best to ask. I checked at the exclusively pumping forum and it was like a ghost town. Anyways, we are on a super tight budget, I had trouble breastfeeding with my son and pumped which worked better but only was able to do that for like a month bc of work. I only had a cheap manual pump and that's long gone. I know I will need a good pump for this time around, and after looking into my insurance I found they only give $50 toward a pump. So while talking to my best friend about it she said she had a Medela in style tote pump she barely used and bought less than 2 years ago and asked if I want it. I looked into it and I see the FDA and medela both do not recommend multiple people using a single person pump. However I am in a bind, we can't afford the 200-300$ for one along with all the supplies. I could just buy new tubing, membranes and shields for 20-40$. So my question is do any of you have experience with a used pump? I know my friend doesn't have any crazy diseases and I have known her for 30 years and she is a complete germaphob so I know she kept it immaculate. Would it be gross to use it? Honest opinions please! I have seen so much for and against it but just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

[flcl]

Even though some people will say only use someone else's pump if it's a closed system, I have several friends who used old medelas. You said this is a good friend and you trust her. Just buy new parts, make sure there isn't any mold behind the faceplate of the motor and as long as it runs, you should be good to go!

[bantyrooster]

I would use it. Buying a used pump from a stranger, no thanks. I have shared pumps with friends numerous times. Hell I donated 100 ounces of milk to a friend.

[theresat858]

There are quality new pumps out there for $150 (Ameda py). Formula is a lot more $.

[melody330]

Formula is about $40-$50/week, and none of it is covered by insurance. If $50 is covered by your insurance, I would get the double electric pump. There is also a chance you can write off the rest for your taxes. Plus it is a one time expense .

That being said, my best friend gave up BFing and only used her pump once. She gave it to me and I use it as my back up pump at home. I keep my new pump at work. FWIW I use an Ameda Purely Yours.

[ellabee]

I agree with pp. If it's a friend and you trust her, just go with the new parts. I think there are also some youtube videos out there on how to take the faceplate off and sterilize/sanitize it.

[turtles7]

Do you have a health savings account? I believe you can use those funds to buy your pump. If not, I think it's tax deductible.

[babycaps]

I would absolutely use her pump! Go for it. Just order new tubing and parts kit FWIW, I work in healthcare with LOTS of nursing moms and many of our nurses have lent their pumps to one another. It's the closed system part that maters and Medela's closed system is great. but again, buy new parts
Good luck!!

[theresat858]

It is interesting to me that everyone says "buy new parts" but not "buy a new pump". Aside from the tubing and membranes, the parts are all hard plastic except the membranes, and can be boiled to sterilize them. It is perfectly fine to use used parts assuming that you sterilize them in between users.
The pump itself cannot be sterilized, and because the PISA is an open system, that's where the concern comes in.

It's fine if you trust your friend and she has no health issues. But I really don't get buying new pieces that can be sterilized while using a used pump that can't be.

[casey]

Personally, I'd be comfortable using her pump (well, not your friend's pump, but my BFF's .... you know)

[milasmommy2014]

If it was my best friend and she took care of it. I would rather use it than not be able to pump at all.

[sweetpeabee]

If you replace the shields, membranes/valves, and tubing, I think you are good. I agree with the PPs in that I wouldn't trust a used pump from a stranger, but I would from a friend. If you are looking for inexpensive Medela parts, I had good luck on Amazon. I needed a smaller size shield and found a medela compatible one (different brand, but marketed for medela) that works better for me and was 1/4th the price.

[sweetpeabee]

edit: delete duplicate post 

[slane]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice, I am definitely going to go with using her pump and making sure I clean all the parts well. I do not want to have to formula feed this one and want to breastfeed as long as possible. As far as buying new parts I did go ahead and order a replacement set from amazon for like 13$ that includes membranes, valves, tubing and the shield part. However if the existing parts look good and I can sterilize them I may just stick with those to start with. I am comfortable knowing that it was my best friends pump and she tells me everything literally so I would know if she had any medical issues. I even asked and she laughed joking that I know everything about her so No! lol.

I appreciate you ladies taking the time to respond and give me great advice, I will be bouncing back and forth between may15 and here since I really want to succeed in breastfeeding this time and it seems like you all have some great advice.

[octavia65]

You can also take the pump and get it serviced. There is a women's health boutique associated with my hospital that does it for free. They take off the faceplate and clean it and also check the suction. That is another thing to think about with a used pump. If it loses suction it won't pump properly. I'd see if you have somewhere similar in your area to take the pump. Just make sure you tell them it's yours that you are reusing from another pregnancy. That's what my LC told me to do when I was going to use my sister's pump!

[Deleted]

I would keep checking both craigslist and even amazon for a new pump. You have time. If you don't find one for a good price sure the used one from your friend may be better than no pump

With almost everyone getting pumps thru insurance there are so many being resold new in box. I've seen them for less than $100 or so from other sellers within amazon. If you buy from amazon for $100 and insurance will reimburse $50 you aren't out all that much.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00IJJRVR4/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Maybe that link will work

I used to think it wasn't too big a deal to have a used medela pis but after seeing some faceplates removed and the yucky stuff and mold that sometimes grows in the motors if milk backs up into them well if want my own pump, Not a used one even from a friend and probably a new one for each baby. Or a closed system pump.

Fyi if you remove the faceplate to clean it voids all warranties and they often refuse to cover it even if there is a recall because you've tampered with it.

[chuggingwater]

Absolutely!