Would you use a second hand breast pump?

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

Say a Medela one, from ebay...

You can buy all the spare parts, so if you buy the pump, the bits you might be worried about reusing are really cheap to buy. Could be a good compromise.

here

Yes - got mine from Freecycle! Obviously sterilised it. DD now 15 months and literally practically never been ill (touch wood). One bout of chicken pox (don't think that was from the breast pump ), about 2 colds and that's it. Never had a tummy bug in her life. I honestly can't see what the problem is as long as you clean the breast pump properly.

Go for it!

Yes, completely. The bits which touch the milk all get sterilised.
I also recommend to customers that they borrow a breast pump before buying one, to avoid wasting a possible £50+
as it would be so annoying to pay full price and then not be able to use it.

I am sure that the hospitals would not be allowed to share equipment that could spread disease such as HIV though kerry

Yes and did. Sterilise it first (obviously) and check for crusty bits...

I shall do the following:

Buy medela mini electric for say, no more than £25. if i do not get on with it, i can resell it for around the same and thus lose no money. I could then by a different make if i feel that woud make a difference. Great!

I did feel squeamish about it too kerry but tried to figure out what it was that i did not like. it was just the thought of it being used by someone else, and that is just irrational, so I shall move past it!

Lactalines go for a bit more on ebay than medela mini electrics but are truly amazing, for a start you can double pump which really helps. You can also get a new collection kit from Ameda so the only second hand bit would be the actual pump.

Yes, and did.

You will have to sterilise after every use anyway.

So I don't see any difference if it's you or someone else, really.

Yes, my friend gave me hers. I thoroughly washed and sterilised it.

You can use 2nd hand breast pump BUT you need to buy new parts for the bits that come into contact with milk. CJD (mad cow disease) is only removed by proper super hot industrial style sterilisation not milton or microwave steam.
If you use a pump in hospital (i did) everyone uses the same electric pump and suction tube but each mum is given her own funnel thing (the bit that goes on your boob) and collection bottles.
For medela you can get spare parts on www.expressyourselfmums.com you will need your own funnel, collection bottles and valve things.

yes, in fact I tried out a friend's
Just as far as recommendations go I originally bought a Boots electric one and couldn't squeeze out a drop Eventually bought an Avent Manual (after trying it) and it's much better. Not sure if that manual vs electric or just those two, anyway only my experience...

really jujubean??
Apart from the handle and very top bit, they all come into contact with the milk, surely?
Don't think I'll lose any sleep

I found Avent manual really good too. Never tried an electric one.

Whats super hot industrial style sterilsation? surely boiling the bits before first use would kill anything?

I didnt have microwave or milton i just gave my pump a good wash and then boiled for 5/10mins.

Yes op i have bought my friends electric one as i had a manuel one first time around which did the job but not for heavy useage.
This time i plan to dishwasher bits and then boil again.

I've read that you shouldn't use a 2nd hand pump.

parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,9kdb,00.html

Used one (Medela). Now 3rd hand as I passed it on and still going strong! Save the planet and your money for important stuff such as sending baby to university or just paying the gas bill. Whatever.

Still breastfeeding and daughter 14months with v. little illness except the odd cold picked up at nursery. Just boil all the boilable bits in a big pan of water for a few minutes (think 3 is the minimum recommended) then pump away... Good luck x

I used a second hand breast pump. Never got any lurgies and nor did DS or DD (third hand by then I suppose) from it.

major pump manufacturers think you shouldn't use a 2nd hand pump? horror! Wonder why?

yes, surely things are either sterile or they're not!

we used a medela borrowed from a friend to see if I liked it b4 buying one myself. Just thoroughly washed and miltoned it...

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281100.stm by super hot industrial style sterilisation I meant hospital grade sterilisation. It's very different to home sterilisation. Its a personal choice based on how bothered you are about CJD. I have used a 2nd hand pump but bought new parts apart from the electric pump and the suction tube.

thanks all, amd thanks jujubean too for that info. shall look into spare parts...

not at all surprised that manufacturers do not recommend! thats £50 odd they are losing each time.

I am definitely trying electric this time stealth. I had I think it was the avensis manual last time, and it really was rubbish, but i do not know if it was me not being able to express much milk or the pump.