So, we are buying a used BOB from one of my husband's coworkers. In addition to the stroller, he has given us his wife's used breast pump. It's an Ameda Purely Yours pump, and he says it's designed to be used by more than one person. Part of me is skeeved out by that, because I don't know his wife at all and I've read conflicting reports on whether or not consumer grade pumps are safe to share.
Am I wrong in thinking that you shouldn't share them? If I am, what parts would need to be replaced?
persimmon / 1420 posts
I can't really speak to that pump, but I have a Medela PIS, and I'm the fourth person to use it. I figure that a) I'm just using the pump with my all new parts (tubes, bottles, etc) and b) if we couldn't get the things really clean and sterilized, then my babies would be getting sick too. Just sterilize everything, and perhaps get new shields/nozzles. Granted, I'm not skeeved out by stuff like this, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt.
pomegranate / 3003 posts
My best friend gave me her Medela PIS. I bought new tubing and parts, and see nothing wrong with a gently used motor. It's a better pump than what my insurance would have covered, and she saved me several hundred dollars had I decided to buy one on my own.
watermelon / 14467 posts
@meganmp: I think if I knew her, I wouldn't be worried, but I don't know this lady from Adam.
apricot / 495 posts
Just get new flanges, valves and membranes. Nothing else comes in contact with milk! 
hostess / eggplant / 11068 posts
I have the Ameda as well. This is tricky. FOR ME, I would only consider using a used pump if I knew the previous owner REALLY REALLY WELL. Like, REALLY WELL.
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
I think that one is a closed system that's perfectly fine to use again -- you just get new accessories. Hospital pumps are like this. You rent a pump that's been used by lots of others, but there's zero risk because milk can't get into the pump itself. And of course they give you new tubes/shields etc.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
It's a closed system. I'd just get new pump parts (flanges and filters). I don't think it's weird at all...
persimmon / 1420 posts
@evansjamie: I only knew one of the women (the friend who gave it to me). I'm pretty lax on this stuff, though. Granted, if it saves you a few hundred dollars, I'd jump on that thing.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
It is a closed system so you can buy new parts! I would definitely use it.
I'm using a used Medela Freestyle....I bought new parts!
grapefruit / 4400 posts
If it's a closed system like everyone else is saying, then there's nothing skeevy about it-- just buy the replacement parts set and you're all good.
I used a good friend's PIS and loved the fact that I saved $200! LOL.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I bought a barely used pump (medela) from a baby consignment shop and bought all new parts (tubes, bottles etc.).
I think it's fine.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I actually used a third hand pump. I just bought new shields and tubing and membranes and stuff for it. The only old part was the machine itself.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
First- what will your insurance give you? If they will give you a double electric, I would probably just do that. Supposedly motors do wear out so why not start with a new one? But if they will only cover a manual then go with what you feel comfortable with. I have my sisters pISA but got a new medela regular double electric (no battery option). I use the new one but have hers in case I ever need the battery option. I actually use her parts but obviously I know her really well and sterilized everything.
watermelon / 14467 posts
Okay, as long as everything looks okay, I'll probably take it and get new parts. I get one free from my insurance, either a PISA or an Ameda, but I have to wait to make the claim until after my baby is born. It will be nice to have a pump while I'm waiting for the new one to come in, and it would be nice to have a backup just in case.
grapefruit / 4079 posts
@evansjamie: I'm using a used one and replacing the parts. It sounds like my insurance will cover the parts and Id rather save my allowable amount for renting a hospital grade pump for the first month since I plan on EP.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@evansjamie: I have a Ameda and it's very different from the Medelas. With the Ameda the motor part is completely separate from the tubes, flanges, etc. Which are the ONLY parts taht come in contact with your breastmilk. And you can buy all those parts new on Amazon for like $25. So I would take it and buy replacement parts.
ETA: OK with parts and flanges more like $50. But still better than spending close to $200!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@evansjamie: I would think about which you want to get free from your insurance since you have an option- if you get the Ameda you can use the same pump parts for both. If you get a new medela you'd still need to buy Ameda parts. Just something to keep in mind.
I did no research on the two since my sister had a medela and that's what insurance gave me.
cherry / 210 posts
I use a used pump, but it was from a really close friend and I bought all new parts.
coconut / 8861 posts
I have my SIL's pump. It's a Medela PISA. I bought new parts or it. Works really well for a 6 year old pump.
nectarine / 2667 posts
I used a 3rd hand pump (borrowed from SIL, who got it from her mother's boyfriend's daughter). I just got all new parts (actually got them from the hospital - they gave me a set to pump with in the hospital & so I got to keep them!). It worked great! When my SIL needed it back, I bought a new one.
watermelon / 14467 posts
Okay ladies, I'm going to go ahead and take the pump. Thank you so much for your input! I don't have a lot of experience with pumps because my friends who BF are also SAHM's who don't pump, so I wasn't sure if second, third, or fourth-hand pump usage was something that happened regularly. I hope I didn't offend!
This is one of the things I most love about Hellobee, the sharing of knowledge!
@locavore_mama: Thanks for locating the parts on Amazon for me! I'm going to go ahead and order them this weekend once I look the pump over closer (I was dragging last night and only gave it a cursory glance).
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