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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Would you buy a 2nd hand breast pump?

29 replies

twirliedobbit · 30/08/2013 07:27

I really wants medula swing but just can't afford it. Have seen some on eBay but just not sure about re-using. I know they would be sterilised (and I would re-sterilise) but still not sure if it feel a bit personal.

OP posts:
wokeupwithasmile · 30/08/2013 07:36

Fair enough. But many women rent it, so clearly if you sterilise it five times you will be alright, no?

kd73 · 30/08/2013 07:39

It's no longer recommended, however a few years ago loads of people (myself included) did!!!!!

Lagoonablue · 30/08/2013 07:42

Who says it is not recommended? The ones you use in hospital are shared as are the ones nct rent. Why not second hand? I have sold 2 and while didn't buy second hand have used someone else's a few times.

Just sterilise them a few times. Will be fine.

dopeysheep · 30/08/2013 07:42

Really not recommended? I've been using one from the Surestart centre it has been a Godsend.
What about hospital pumps? Loads of women use those. I would definitely buy a second hand one.

Vecta · 30/08/2013 07:43

Can you get spare parts for the medula swing? If so, another option might be to buy the pump on ebay and replace all the bits that actually have contact with milk.

thinkfast · 30/08/2013 07:45

I think the difference is the rented ones will be sterilised on a hospital grade steriliser before you get it. My understanding is that a home steriliser is nearly as good but not quite as effective

ArabellaBeaumaris · 30/08/2013 07:45

I have two handmedown pumps. Never bothered me & doesn't seem to have infected my DC!

jimijack · 30/08/2013 07:50

I've borrowed one of a work colleague and its fine. It's like New & she tells me she used it loads.
There was no way I was buying one!

redcaryellowcar · 30/08/2013 07:53

Try googling medela swing breast pump, I did and found very useful but slightly revolting info on why that particular pump shouldn't be used as a second hand pump, I can't remember the exact details but other pumps are better designed to have a second'closed' system which means milk really only gets into the parts where you can sterilise them.

redcaryellowcar · 30/08/2013 07:54

Try googling medela swing breast pump, I did and found very useful but slightly revolting info on why that particular pump shouldn't be used as a second hand pump, I can't remember the exact details but other pumps are better designed to have a second'closed' system which means milk really only gets into the parts where you can sterilise them.

Dackyduddles · 30/08/2013 07:54

Yes. I've done so.

Bs re 'not recommended' have you seen the price of the things? How do you know you will get on with one? It's common sense really. They do wash and sterilise fgs.

I've googled it now. Which says 'manufacturers recommend a single user' well they would wouldn't they? It's not a medical recommendation. It's profit watching!

redcaryellowcar · 30/08/2013 07:54

Sorry didn't mean to post twice...

SunnyIntervals · 30/08/2013 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyTeacakes · 30/08/2013 07:58

You can buy some second hand but you want to make sure it has a closed system. The medela swing doesn't and that's why it's not recommended.

Here is the article pp was talking about.

I've got a spectra 3 (bought extra valves to prevent back flow so I can sell it on) and find it really good. I exclusively pumped for a week and a half whilst ds was in SCBU so have used hospital grade pumps as well. It's only £50 new.

midori1999 · 30/08/2013 07:59

I wouldn't buy a medela swing second hand no, because its not a closed pump system. Milk can get into the pump parts and this cannot be sterilised. Hospital grade pumps and some lactaline pumps are closed system, so if buy one of those second hand. In fact, I did but my lactaline second hand and just bought new parts for it.

Some info here:

www.breastpumpsdirect.com/open_system_breastpumps_vs_closed_system_breastpumps_a/147.htm

www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvjunjul04p54.html

SpottyTeacakes · 30/08/2013 08:02

Also the ones in hospital you have your own tubes, bottles and flange so it's only really the motor that is shared. You can by them for a few thousand Grin

sameoldIggi · 30/08/2013 08:08

Doesn't that mean by using the medela swing (first hand) you are also exposing your baby to a risk, if the parts can't be cleaned?
I am selling a (non swing) pump via gumtree locally, must say I would have bought one as a way of testing out if I could get on well with expressing.

SunnyIntervals · 30/08/2013 08:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AmandapandtheNightmareMonsters · 30/08/2013 08:14

No, I wouldn't, for the same reasons others have said. It's an open system - see here for the yuck that can accumulate where it can't be cleaned. I wouldn't actually even buy one new.

Closed system for renting or second hand. Ameda Lactaline is genuinely closed. Or a cheap hand pump if you are just 'testing it out' with expressing.

Sheshelob · 30/08/2013 08:25

I bought a second hand Avent, and found brand new spare parts online to replace the rubbery bits. It was great (although the manual ended up working out better than the auto setting).

madamecake · 30/08/2013 08:25

When dd was in nicu I used a hospital pump that obviously would have been used before, and it was fine, though it was a closed pump system.
I bought myself a new spectra 3 pump (also a closed pump) very cheaply on amazon, less than half the price of a medela swing and it's been brilliant.

SunnyIntervals · 30/08/2013 08:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyTeacakes · 30/08/2013 08:33

You need these with the spectra 3

AmandapandtheNightmareMonsters · 30/08/2013 08:34

Ewwwwwww Sunny

HandMini · 30/08/2013 08:59

Don't think only an electric pump will do. I got on just fine with a £10 hand pump that I bought from ASDA. Worth a try I promise, especially if you start pumping early ish so have a good milk supply.