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Second hand pumps

Health Alert: All breast pumps that we carry other than hospital grade pumps (Symphony and Elite) are personal hygiene medical devices and considered single user items. It is not recommended nor do we recommend sharing these pumps with other moms because of the potential risks associated with body fluid contamination.

For more information regarding the risks and concerns associated with using second hand pumps, please visit www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml.

 

If your sister or best friend has passed her pump down to you and you insist on using it, you will need to:

Back to Work/Occasional Pumps

  • Clean the pump thoroughly with a disinfectant for non-porous surfaces. (Cavicide, or Medela anti bacterial wipes)
  • Buy a new kit to go with the pump Remember that pump kits are strictly brand specific, so purchase the kit that is made by that manufacturer for that particular pump. Make sure when you buy kits, attachments and replacement parts for your pump that you get them from the same manufacturer, or they won't fit. 
  • Keep in mind that these pumps are not designed to last forever. Suction levels will decrease over time so you may not get optimal performance which may adversely affect milk production.
  • Check for any troublesome noises that indicate pump is malfunctioning or broken.
  • If you truly want to know if this pump is in good working order go to a facility that knows how to properly test suction with a suction gauge such as a bio-med department in a hospital or an outpatient lactation clinic. Note: in high altitude pump suction will be lower.

Manual pumps

  • If you are able to autoclave a manual pump the risk of cross contamination is greatly reduced or even eliminated.

Hands Free Whisper Wear Pump

  • Purchase new stems and valves

Whittlestone Gentle Expressor

  • Clean the pump thoroughly with a disinfectant for non-porous surfaces (Cavicide, or Medela anti bacterial wipes)
  • Buy a new kit to go with the pump Remember that p ump kits are strictly brand specific, so purchase the kit that is made by that manufacturer for that particular pump. Make sure when you buy kits, attachments and replacement parts for your pump that you get them from the same manufacturer, or they won't fit.  
  • Keep in mind that these pumps are not designed to last forever. Suction levels will decrease over time so you many not get optimal performance which may adversely affect milk production
  • Check for any troublesome noises that indicate pump is malfunctioning or broken

Select from the topics below:

  1. Meet Megan, our expert
  2. Why pump?
  3. Choosing a pump
  4. Tips for Successful Pumping
  5. Collecting milk
  6. Storing milk
  7. Giving pumped breastmilk to my baby
  8. Choosing a bottle and nipple
  9. Cleaning my pump
  10. Accessory basics for successful pumping
  11. Introducing a bottle
  12. Bottlefeeding basics for dads and others
  13. Using a second hand pump
  14. Letting Big Brother/Sister Help with Feeding
  15. Pumping for Twins or more
  16. Increasing Milk Supply
  17. Formula?
  18. Shop our Store
NursingMom.com is not a medical website. Educational information from this web site is general in nature and may or may not apply to your specific condition. Do not use this information to diagnose a health condition. The information provided is not a substitute or replacement for medical care or your relationship with your health care provider. Our goal is to help you choose a breast pump and accessories so that you can continue to give your baby the best milk ideally for at least the first year. We have made every effort to provide up-to-date and accurate information, but all information is subject to errors, omissions, and change without notice.