What should I do with my breast milk pump?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - While you can make the decision to spend the $ and buy new, what about the mothers who can not afford $300 for a breast pump while returning to work full time?

I think it is far more admirable that these mothers take the time to find a used pump, sterilize all parts, and replace the tubing because they desire to breastfeed while affording half the cost.

Do you really find it such an issue that anyone that can't afford a new pump should formula feed instead? (not meant to start a BFing vs. formula debate) I think there is a middle ground that is worth considering here.

Who says that someone has to purchase a $300 pump to return to work? There are plenty of other NEW and cheaper options if a mother opts to BF and pump.

I totally agree that if someone chooses to continue to BF/pump FANTASTIC, kudos! However you CAN NOT sterilize the motor...so they wouldn't be sterilizing ALL PARTS. I never said that someone should formula feed instead, where did you get that idea. I just said that personally I wouldn't use someone else's pump (not even a friend or family member). I'm just providing the information that I've read/heard from health care professionals and my OPP of what I would choose to do. I also wouldn't use someone's old crib mattress for my newborn, but that's another issue.

[cmkeough]

Something else I found on La Leche League:

Hygiene and possible contamination can also be an important consideration. Breast pumps with special traps built in, such as the Ameda and the Nurture III, prevent pumped milk from entering the tubing and then getting into the pump motor itself. The Medela pumps do not have such a system and milk can go into the tubing and even get into the motor, which is very difficult to clean. The diaphragm of the Pump in Style often becomes contaminated. This is one reason why buying a used Pump in Style may not be a good idea (see sidebar). Mothers need to be careful while pumping in order to prevent this from happening; keeping the pump at chest level helps protect against contamination.

[Anonymous]

And it's not just Medela's recommendations. The FDA has the same recommendation with single-user breast pumps, like Medela's. You can see it on the FDA's website.