Breast pump from freecycle

[uvavu]

Its 6 years old.....is it ok to use? What with it being secondhand and oldish?

Can you by replacement parts for it?

[uvavu]

Its a mini electric medela btw

[NomDeClavier]

I wouldn't. It's an open system pump so any infection the mother had could enter the motor and then back to your collected milk. Also after 6 years there could be mould and all sorts inside the motor.

There's a blog where a mother dismantles her Medela. It put me right off open system pumps even just for my use.

Look for something like an Ameda Lactaline and get a new milk collection kit (tubes, bottles, valves etc).

[TwittyMcTwitterson]

Are you a bit skint? If so, look on amazon. I wanted electrical and there was one for 35 quid. I got much more from the manual tommee tippee one but they are out there for cheap

I'm sure there will be some cheap new ones about. I was shocked because everyone told me they were approx 100 quid (and I've been consistently skint forever) so couldn't afford that.

[KatAndKit]

I wouldn't with a medela because it is an open system. I did buy a used avent pump and I was happy with that.

[eagle2010]

Agree with all the PPs - and personally I found that the hideously expensive effing Medela pump gives me much less milk than the manual Avent one I got for £20.

I read that you shouldn't buy a second hand pump because even sterilisation won't get rid of some nasties.

If you're planning a lot of expressing an electric pump is prob a good investment - check out shops/Amazon for regular sales. Mothercare often have half price pumps in their summer sales. Otherwise I'd say a handheld would do the trick.

Off to Google the above mentioned blog with the opened pump now!

[uvavu]

I have a hand one but I can't get more than an ounce at a time so pretty pointless.

Its only for occasional use, just so I can leave baby with DH for an afternoon / evening, so I don't want to spend £££.

Can anyone recommend a cheap electric one that works?

[uvavu]

Or a good hand one that actually works?

[TwittyMcTwitterson]

What hand one have you got at the minute? Tommee tippee one was fantastic. You can hire them. Not sure how that works

[fivepies]

I bought this one and have been using it for nearly three years lansinoh pump.
I had a different brand before but sent it back (leaking).
This one doesn't leak and comes apart easily for thorough cleaning. I can get 4-5oz in 10 minutes or so.

[NomDeClavier]

I don't see much difference (besides time!) in yield from my Avent manual and my Ameda Lactaline double electric.

Pumping isn't just down to the pump, though. You need to know how to trigger let down when it's a pump instead of a baby.

[uvavu]

I've got a tommee tippee hand one.

[uvavu]

[nilbyname]

This is my best pumping tip.

Take all your pumping stuff to bed with you all sterilised and ready to go. 1st thing, as soon as you wake, feed baby from one side and pump from the other. Then pump anything from the side baby had if there is anything remaining. You have loads of milk 1st thing.

Avent electric pump was great. I borrowed from a friend.