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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Borrowed breast pump...DH horrified

18 replies

lurcherlover · 13/02/2011 16:41

My electric pump broke last week so the mw at my bf group lent me a manual one to try. I washed it, sterilised it and managed to get a couple of oz using it which I promptly gave to DS. When DH found out he was horrified - kept saying it was like sharing needles! I said sterilising it would have killed any pathogens but he's still not happy, and now he's got me worried. I haven't put DS at risk have I?!

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 13/02/2011 16:46

I used a second hand pump from my SIL for all my DS.

Not sure what your DH thinks is going to get passed on, but I seriously doubt there would be any risk.

Katey1010 · 13/02/2011 16:56

I know you shouldn't use the fancier pumps because you can't sterilise the internal parts. If you sterilised the whole pump, job done, no germs!

Besides, if you sterilised needles properly you could share them afterwards. Addicts don't though.

Louii · 13/02/2011 16:58

Tell him to stop being an eedjit, unless he wants to go out and buy you a new one.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/02/2011 17:20

It's absolutely fine. My last pump was 3rd hand, and my friend has used it since.

It's washed and sterilised, what exactly does he think is going to happen?

organiccarrotcake · 13/02/2011 17:21

No, you're fine.

Hospitals regularly lend pumps out to mums who need them.

The serious diseases that can in theory (blood borne ones) get passed on through breastmilk are ALL killed by sterilisation (or being in the air for a few minutes as it happens). There is NO RISK from these.

Milk pooling in the pump which then grows bacteria from the air is going to be the same for a new, or a second hand pump. Therefore careful washing and sterilising after each use is essential - and this has nothing to do with whether it was used before.

I do promotion and support for our milk bank and I advise on breast pumps. Meaning, I know what I'm talking about Grin. You Have Not Put Your Child In Danger. You're fine, he's fine, you and your husband can relax :)

countrybump · 13/02/2011 17:25

I had to pump while in hospital, and the hospital gave me a pump to use - with all the parts that go near me and the milk sterilized. From what I remember of the pump, all the bits that come into contact with milk can be sterilized, I'm sure this is the same for nearly all pumps, so what's the issue?

Original poster
lurcherlover · 13/02/2011 18:58

Thanks all. I knew all this of course, but he was so shocked it gave me a little wobble! Going to show him this thread now Smile

BTW, is it not OK to buy a 2nd hand electric pump from ebay then? As mine is broken I'm on the hunt for a new one, but I don't want to shell out loads of cash and there are some on ebay for a good price - but as you can't sterilise the motor or air tube is that not a good idea then?

OP posts:
organiccarrotcake · 13/02/2011 19:09

Well.

There has been a scare story here recently about Medela. However, it's not all Medela pumps, nor is it just Medela. The thing is to find one where the collection system cannot leak milk back behind it into the motor. Check out some brands in your local baby shop and choose one before buying from second hand.

foxytocin · 14/02/2011 02:29

lurcher, you are looking for a pump which is a closed system pump if you are buying second hand. The Ameda lactaline fits this bill. you can buy the pump itself and then buy the collection accessories new. Medela makes at least one pump which is also a closed system. It is not the Pump in Style model. Pumps which are closed systems seem to be advertised as 'hospital grade' too by the manufacturer.

foxytocin · 14/02/2011 02:30

just remembered, I think it is the Medela symphony which is hospital grade. The Lanisoh one is hospital grade too and I have read somewhere that it is the updated version of the Lactaline, rebranded.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/02/2011 06:52

I've got an Ameda Lactaline you can have if you are interested.

knittynoodle · 14/02/2011 09:27

I borrowed my friends Lactaline as its a huge expense otherwise! Ive just replaced the bits which had gone hard and brittle from too much sterilising.

Original poster
lurcherlover · 14/02/2011 21:59

JiltedJohnsJulie, how kind of you. I would love your pump - how much do you want for it?

OP posts:
pushmepullyou · 14/02/2011 22:08

Oh dear, I've got a second hand Medela in style Sad. What is the risk exactly? Do I need to chuck it? I don't think I can afford a new one.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/02/2011 18:10

lurcher do you want to message me? There are loads on ebay though.

mcleanclan · 08/03/2011 11:58

Hi, I have been worrying since I bought a mini electric medela from ebay a few months ago and didn't know anything about health risks until after using it a few times. I obv sterilised the bits you can but ot the motor. What was the medela health scare exactly??? I asked my HV and she thought the pump was fine to use but I have not used it since.

TruthSweet · 08/03/2011 12:44

The problem is that the motor can get milk sucked into it via the tubing and then the milk grows mould/bacteria. Mould spores can be released which then get sucked back through the tubing into the milk that is being expressed and contaminating it. You wouldn't kno unless you open the pump motor unit.

Article on it here.

Some pumps have a closed system like the hospital grade pumps even if they are ordinary commercial pumps (Ameda of the top of my head does).

Hand pumps that can be entirely sterilised are still fine.

japhrimel · 08/03/2011 17:25

Afaik my Medela Swing is a closed one. For one thing the connection is exactly the same as on the Medela Symphony I used in hospital.

I borrowed a lactaline though and it's a far more efficient pump even if only using 1 pump.

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