Hi,

I bet you are a a breastfeeding mom or soon to be and most likely to go back to work.

So the big question : buy an electric personal breastpump? Used or not?

 First a little bit of logistics.

Keep in mind you need to pump every 3 hours at least to keep up with the supply and this until your baby does not need every 3 hour feeding..

So you need 2 to 3 breaks during your day  for 15 to 20 minutes ( for your typical 8 hour day, I work 12 hour shift so 1 or 2 more breaks!) and that counts set up, cleaning, pumong/let down,  storing and wha not time.

I say YES get an electric breastpump, if you can afford it.

BUY versus RENT .

At $50 a month or so to rent if you plan on BF for more than 6 months here you go get a great electric one.

Believe me if you are past the first 3 months, BF for a year won't be that hard.

Do not attempt to go back to work especially full time with a manual (done it been there!) unless you can double pump in less than 15 minutes. If you know someone who can, let me know!

Now for the breastpump, the electric pumps newer models with let down mode or custom pumping run around $200 to $300 new , if you shop around, coupon, sale etc.If you can go for those as they are quiker and more comfy for mommy to pump.

Med*la Pump In Style Advanced, Av*nt Isis Duo, Playt*x  Embrace Double, Am*da Purely yours are those pumps.

NOW new or used?

You probably read the manufacturers' warnings about used breast pumps...if not,go to med*la web page.

What is said is cross contamination cannot be dismissed. but it does not say it has been proven...

Yes the motor part is not sterilizable. As for tubings, horns and bottles they are.

Yes you don't know who used it before and their medical status/conditions (ie HIV, herpes etc...).

What does it mean for the motor? If you have ever pump you'll know that to overflow and let the milk go into the non sterilizable part (ie motor) you really have to pump a ton and get the milk to go up a thin tubing 20 inch long to get there before you notice it?!?!?!

I have pump for over a year now and never ever did it happened to me and believe me I sometime does not look religiously to my bottles filing up and came to overflow them more than once.

In the pump I use there are small holes on the horn part to remedy to the eventual overflow so very unlikely to go up the tubing!

Does milk can vaporize and go up the tubing ? I guess yes I am not in the pump but I trully don't think it is such a danger to be concerned.

I think this is just a commercial gimmick to scare mothers into buying new pumps! And if you read their guide and truly follow their guideline you should most likely buy a new pump every year (as the motor is only garantied this long and how knows if it is still effective enough after that! At least that is the way I understand it and the way it is implied to me in their pamphlet. I can be wrong).

The FDA advises against using pre owned.

So read about it, make up your mind but I really don't think it was such a risk for me. I bought my pump pre owned, sterilized everything I could bought a new kit and on I went. By the way, I am a nurse so I am aware of health issues.

This guide is intended to give someone else experience and infos and in no case do I advise you to buy used only. If you can afford new go for it, but if used sounds like an option, here is my take on it.

Do the math and do what is best for you.