Using Used Breast Pumps: Is it Safe?

by admin

Due to the recent economic recession that the country is facing, we are forced to save our hard-earned money or go for cheaper options in buying the things that we need.

For breastfeeding mothers, a breast pump is of necessity because it helps them expel the milk needed to feed their baby. If a mother is having difficulty in producing breast milk on her own, a breast pump can help her. The prices of breast pumps usually vary depending on the size and grade. Most hand-held breast pumps costs anywhere between $30 to $100 while electric breast pumps can be more expensive with costs usually in the hundreds.

The usual cost of breast pumps is the main reason why a lot of mothers are entertaining the thought of buying a used one. However, there are a lot of health concerns about this option. If you are buying a used breast pump from someone you don’t know, then you have to be aware that the breast pump can hold some kind of bacteria that can be caused by cracked nipples and blood contamination. Some breast pumps have parts that can’t be reached or cleaned so this poses a major sanitation problem. Even if you clean the pump really well before using it, there is also a possibility that there are remnants of contaminated milk.

Yeast infection can also be a problem especially if the secondhand pump has not been used for quite some time.

Although there are no documented cases of second-hand breast pump causing diseases and sicknesses, you have to exercise utmost caution and safety about this area.

The Food and Drug Administration even posted a bulletin saying that only FDA-approved hospital-grade pumps can be used more than once. So it is better to invest in your own breast pump. This minimal investment will surely pay off in the end and you will be safer too.