Thread: Used Breast Pump??????

How would you feel about buying a used breast pump off ebay or craigslist?

I want a Medela pump but I'm debating if I should just fork out the $300 (I'm sure I could find one cheaper online but new) or buy used for $60. I know all the parts that touch milk can be sterilized...otherwise, that would be a definate NO GO! I just don't want to spend the moneyon one and risk it not working...cuz what am I gonna do, test it out right then and there NNOOOO, lol but could you imagine, hee hee. Anyways, what do you all think?

I actually bought one off ebay not too long ago. I wanted a new electric double breast pump because the one I used with my other two started to go out. It was a first years and I loved it, however I used it so much with my DD2 that the motor began slowly going out and I didn't like the hand pump one as much (ha my hand cramped when pumping)!

So I began looking at ebay just to see. I found some buy it nows and some auctions. Then I found an auction that was "new - other" condition that no one had bid on so I checked it out. It was a new Medela double electric breast pump (out of box) that also came with accessories (extra bottles and storage bags) AND a gender neutral diaper bag. Starting bid was like $150 I think with only an hour or two left in the auction. So I bid on it and "watched" it and sniped it.

I wasn't going to bid more than $160 because I figured I could still find an reasonable one in the next few months before baby arrives. One other person bid on it, but my snipe went in and I only paid about 170 or 175 with shipping. When it came in the mail I checked it out and tested it (not on my boobs, just turning it on) and the suction was really good (wanted to make sure it wasn't broken) and then I went ahead and boiled all the parts just in case.

I was real excited about it because I know Medela's are suppose to be really good pumps and I got one for a good price! If it was used I wouldn't have gotten it for that price. Although I know used ones can go for that much. I would much rather also get a new one because you dunno how much more life the pump may have. But if I found a used one at a reasonable price and it was hardly used I probably would've gone for one like that too because you can always boil the parts in water and wash them in the dishwasher and hand wash them.

I think if it is new out of the box as Katie says it would be a great buy. But I also wouldn't be against a used one, but I would want to buy it from a site like kijiji, or used_whereever_you_live since then you can phone the person and ask how much use it has had, and go to their house to pick it up. I think most mums in this situation are going to tell you the truth about about the pump they are selling. On ebay, you don't really know who you are buying from and if they are being as honest as they should be!

Heather

I bought my pump 4 years ago on eBay. It was sealed in the box, and quite a bit cheaper than it is in the store, so that's an option too. If I bought a used pump I'd make sure to replace the tubing, as milk sometimes backs into the tubing and it's harder to clean. Good luck!

I would not by a used breast pump. Just the thought makes me go ick- like used underwear. Just me though.

I wouldn't buy a used one either, but you could always buy new cups and hoses for it. That way you're not just sterilizing, but getting new parts.

The potential of it not working would concern me too.

I love my Medela Pump In Style Advanced that I used with DD. I'll be using it again. I was very lucky that my sister bought it for me.

Originally Posted by MeghanK

I would not by a used breast pump. Just the thought makes me go ick- like used underwear. Just me though.

Lol this made me laugh!!!

I had a used one with DS. But it was passed down to me from a friend who is a neat freak and I know took care of it. It was in great condition, I just sterilized it before I used it. Not sure how I would feel getting one off ebay though from a stranger.

I bought a used one off of Craigslist before I had DS. It's a super, duper, awesome Medela!! LOL. She had never even used it. Everything was still in the packaging and all, and it was a new mommy so I felt really comfortable getting it from her.

I ended up using it more trying to induce labor than when I actually had him though haha. I was SAHM then so I really didn't have a need to pump.

I think you are fine, just trust your gut instinct on it, and like PP said, you can always buy the new cups and hoses. The mom I got it from sent me with a whole box (unopened) of those microwave steam sterilizer bags, and the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. She was pretty cool!

I would buy the machine part and just buy all new tubing, flanges, valves, and other parts. Also if it came in a bag I'd probably wipe down all the surfaces with a disinfectant. I've had my Medela for 6 years (so lucky to have MIL buy it for me with my first, man those things are $$$) and have to disinfect every now and then as I get drops of milk all over the bag and such. It would be awesome to score one from a woman that didn't end up using hers so it is new!