If you are considering the purchase of a used breast pump such as the Ameda Purely Yours, Medela Pump In Style, Nurture III, or Lansinoh breast pump, etc), or using a breast pump that belonged to a close friend or family member this guide has been written to help you make an informed decision.  I hope the information provided is helpful to you.

The idea of purchasing or using a gently used pump, or one that is like new, can be an affordable and tempting choice when faced with the option of purchasing a brand new breast pump with a much more expensive price tag.  However, not all pumps are created equally.

The following is a partial statement from the FDA regarding the use of used or re-used single user breastpumps:

"The FDA does not regulate the sale of individual breast pumps by individuals to other individuals. Rather, we regulate these medical devices when they are in interstate commerce. We have not said that this practice is legal or illegal. Instead, we have the following position, which recommends that if the pump cannot be adequately disinfected between uses by different mothers, that the pump not be used by different mothers." "FDA advises that there are certain risks presented by breast pumps that are reused by different mothers if they are not properly cleaned and sterilized. These risks include the transmission of infectious diseases or the risk of improper function. FDA believes that the proper cleaning and sterilization of breast pumps requires the removal of any fluid that has entered the pumping mechanism itself. If proper sterilization of the breast pump can not be achieved, FDA recommends that it not be reused by different mothers."

The above statement relates to the fact that most breastpumps on the market are open-systems, which means that their is no barrier protection against air-borne bacterias that can get into the motor of the pumping mechanism.  The motor is the one place that you CANNOT get into and clean, so harmful bacteria that get into the motor, can then be transmitted from the motor into your breastmilk.  

There is ONLY one affordable single-user closed-system breastpump available on the market today.  It is the manually-controlled Bailey Nurture III breastpump.  (Pictured is the Deluxe Nurture III which is available in my ebay store. 

Serious diseases and bacterias are transmitted through our bodily fluids.  Your breastmilk is a bodily fluid, and it is how you transmit your good antibodies and nutrients to your newborn baby.  Whatever you ingest, ends up in your breastmilk, and is transmitted to your baby.  Nursing mothers are careful about taking certain medications, smoking and drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, the same care should be given when using a pump to express your breastmilk.

Resistent bacteria such as CANDIDIASIS, commonly known as THRUSH is a yeast infection, that occurs in many breastfeeding mothers.  Ask any breastfeeding mother who has contracted thrush, it is very painful, it is annoying, and it is VERY difficult to get rid of.  When this happens, both mother and baby must be treated at the same time in order to get rid of the bacteria. 

Purchasing a used pump from a mother who may have had thrush, may have infected her pump with the bacteria.  Unfortunately, home sterilization methods are not always sufficient enough to kill this resistant strain of bacteria, and it can be passed on to the unsuspecting user, and transmitted to both mother and baby.

Another form of contamination that can be transmitted from the use of used breast pumps is blood contamination.  When the baby is not latching on properly, many mothers develop cracked and bleeding tissue surrounding the areola.  Any contamination or bacteria can then be passed into the motor of the pump.  Diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis or CMV can go undetected for long periods of time.   A mother may unknowingly be aware that she has contracted the disease.  The risk of using or purchasing a used breastpump, in this situation is definetely something to consider.

The following pumps are labeled by the FDA as "single user" devices and should not be used by more than one person:

Avent Isis®

Avent and ISIS IQ UNO  and ISIS IQ DUO  Electronic Breast Pumps

Evenflo Press and Pump®

Evenflo Manual Breast Pump®

Gentle Expressions Mini Electric®

Gerber Precious Care®

Hollister/Ameda® Purely Yours (Ameda's hygienikit is approved by the FDA to protect milk from viruses and bacteria, but is still considered to be a single user pump because it is possible for a bottle to turn over and milk get into the tubing and then into the motor of the pump.)

MagMag Mini Electric®

Medela Mini electric®

Medela Pump In Style® Original Breast pump

Medela Pump In Style® Advanced (Carryall, Backpack and Limited)

Medela DoubleEase® Breast Pump

Playtex Embrace®  Breast pump

Simplicity®

The following pumps are are designed to be used by multiple users:

These pumps operate on a "closed system", meaning that it is impossible for milk reach the motor, hence these are safe to be used my multiple mothers (with a brand NEW collection kit).

Hollister Elite® Hollister Lact-e®

Hollister SMB® Breast pump®

Medela Classic® Breast pump

Medela Lactina® Breast pump

Medela Symphony® Breast pump

Bailey Nurture III®  

Purchasing a new breast pump can offer you peace of mind.  Most breast pump manufacturers offer at least a 1-year warranty on all new breast pumps.  The Bailey Nurture III is the only pump on the market that offers a five-year warranty.  Your warranty protects you against any mechanical defects.

Used breast pumps can be affordable, but their value can be greatly diminished if the pump fails to work shortly after purchase.  Manufacturer warranties are not transferrable from one owner to another.  In short, if your breast pump stops working, you'll be faced with having to purchase another one.

I have been working with new mothers since 1997, and welcome your breastfeeding questions or concerns.  By determining your needs and your long-term goals, we can find out which option would work best for you.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me via http://stores.ebay.com/maternal-expressions-nc

I hope this guide was helpful to you!  If so, please rate accordingly.