would you buy a 2nd hand breast pump?

[neverlookback]

thats it really, want to start expressing and was looking at the medela swing and the mini and i cant decide if buying a 2nd hand one is ok or not?

I did. Got an electric avent isis for a tenner. Bargain.

I'm not sure it's entirely clear whether the Swing is open or closed. I would have a read of this before you buy second-hand.

FWIW, I have a Swing and a hired Symphony, and the Swing doesn't have the same membrane arrangement as the Symphony so I would say it's an open system.

O NOT SHOP at expressyouselvesmums I bought a pump with FREE DELIVERY that cost £85... I added milk bags and spare valves for an extra £15 and DELIVERY WAS ADDED BACK ON BECAUSE THE MILK BAGS DID NOT QUALIFY!!! I did not get told this at the time only on checking the invoice when I had it delivered did I realise I complained and they just said - because I added EXTRA THINGS to my bag I then had to add the delivery - RUBBISH CUSTOMER SERVICE DO NOT TOUCH WITH A BARGE POLE

The advice is not to buy second hand unless buying a closed system pump. www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml I was berated by a lactation consultant for buying a second hand open system pump.
Having read the article she gave me and other research though, the risk seems to be a theoretical one regarding catching HIV, hepatitis et al (blood borne diseases). A very very very remote risk that has not actually resulted in infection in anyone known so far. I personally think the risk is so infintessimally small, if all parts in contact with the breast are sterilised, that I'd be happy to use a second hand open system any day. The issue with mouldy milk getting in non-sterilisable parts will be the same whether it's your milk or someone else's.
And Jocastalily, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with EY Mums. I've found them to be fantastic so far. Maybe I caught them on a good day.

Yes. The breast pumps at the hospital are used by loads of women.

I got my breast pump from Freecycle, and it was of course second-hand. Used for DD1 (no longer breastfed) and DD2 (8 months). No ill effects so far!