Breast pumps are a significant investment, leading many parents to consider purchasing used equipment to manage costs. This financial incentive must be balanced against concerns about hygiene and functionality. Since most personal-use pumps are classified as single-user medical devices, the decision to use a previously owned pump requires careful consideration of potential health risks versus savings. Understanding the pump’s mechanics is the first step in assessing whether a used unit can be safely incorporated into your feeding routine.
The Critical Difference Between Open and Closed Systems
The fundamental distinction between breast pump models is whether they operate as an open or a closed system. This classification determines if the internal motor mechanisms are protected from milk and moisture exposure. A closed-system pump incorporates a physical barrier, such as a diaphragm or backflow protector, placed between the milk collection kit and the motor.
This barrier ensures that air pulled into the system is filtered and that milk particles cannot travel down the tubing to contaminate the pump housing. Because the motor is isolated from the milk, these pumps are considered more hygienic. They are the only type where secondary use is possible, and hospital-grade rental pumps always utilize this closed-system technology.
In contrast, an open-system pump lacks this protective barrier, meaning the tubing connects directly to the motor. During operation, tiny, aerosolized milk droplets or condensation can be drawn through the tubing and settle within the internal mechanics. Once milk residue enters the motor, it is impossible to clean or sterilize the affected components. For this reason, official health organizations caution against purchasing a used open-system pump, which is strictly a single-user device.
Health and Contamination Risks
The primary danger of using a used breast pump, especially an open-system model, is the potential for pathogen transfer and internal contamination. Breast milk is a bodily fluid that can carry infectious agents, even if the previous user showed no symptoms of illness. Viruses such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Hepatitis can survive and be transmitted if the pump’s internal parts were exposed to milk particles.
This contamination risk is compounded by the inability to clean the motor housing of an open-system pump. Milk residue and moisture trapped within the motor create an environment ideal for the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Even if the visible parts are sterilized, the internal contamination remains, and the pump’s vacuum action can draw these infectious particles into the new user’s milk supply.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies most personal-use breast pumps as single-user devices because complete sterilization between individuals cannot be guaranteed. A pump compromised by mold or bacterial growth can introduce microbes into the milk, posing a health risk to the infant. Additionally, a previous user with cracked or sore nipples may have introduced small amounts of blood into the system, increasing the risk of virus transmission.
Essential Steps for Safe Use
If you choose to use a previously owned pump, it must be a closed-system model, and you must assume the motor is the only reusable component. The first step is to purchase a complete set of brand-new accessories and collection parts. This mandatory replacement includes all components that directly contact the milk or are exposed to moisture:
- Tubing
- Breastshields (flanges)
- Valves
- Membranes
- Collection bottles
Before first use, all hard plastic components you intend to keep, such as the pump body connectors and flanges, should be thoroughly scrubbed and sterilized according to manufacturer guidelines. You must also check the pump’s overall functionality, as degraded motor suction may negatively impact your milk supply. Since a used pump will not have a transferable warranty, you assume the risk if the motor fails prematurely.
It is important to verify that the specific pump model has not been subject to a manufacturer recall. You can check official government databases, such as those maintained by the FDA or Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), using the pump’s model number. Mitigating all contact risk with new, clean parts and ensuring the pump is free from functional defects are the only ways to approach the use of a second-hand breast pump.