The high cost of new feeding equipment often leads parents to explore used breast pumps, potentially saving hundreds of dollars. While the secondhand market is financially attractive, this decision involves a complex trade-off between economic savings and potential safety concerns regarding hygiene and performance. Understanding the inherent risks associated with using a medical device designed to handle bodily fluids is paramount. This exploration examines the health hazards, technical differences in pump design, and practical considerations necessary to make an informed choice.
Understanding the Health Risks of Used Pumps
Breast pumps contact human milk, a bodily fluid that can serve as a medium for pathogen growth. Even if a used pump appears clean, residual milk particles, even microscopic ones, can harbor viruses, bacteria, and fungi within the internal mechanisms. Harmful microorganisms can survive on surfaces for extended periods, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination to a new user and their infant.
Of primary concern are bacteria such as Cronobacter sakazakii, which can cause severe, sometimes fatal, infections like meningitis and sepsis in vulnerable infants, especially those under two months old or premature. A recent case tied a fatal Cronobacter infection to a contaminated home breast pump, emphasizing the danger of inadequate cleaning.
The difficulty lies in sterilizing the internal motor components and tubing, where dried milk residue can accumulate unnoticed. This residue provides a growth environment for mold and bacteria, which can be aerosolized and drawn into the milk collection kit by the pump’s vacuum action. Standard home cleaning methods are not sufficient to eliminate infectious particles settled deep within the pump’s internal workings.
The Critical Difference: Open Versus Closed Systems
The primary factor determining the safety of a used breast pump is its design: whether it uses an open or closed system. This distinction refers to the presence of a barrier between the milk collection kit and the pump’s motor mechanism.
An open system pump allows air, moisture, and fine milk particles to be drawn directly into the tubing and motor housing because there is no physical barrier separating the milk pathway from the motor. Since milk particles can settle in the motor, it is impossible to fully clean or sterilize these internal parts between users. The FDA advises that open system pumps should only be used by one person due to this inherent contamination risk. For example, if the previous user had a yeast infection, the fungus is difficult to eliminate from the motor, making the pump unsafe for subsequent users.
A closed system pump incorporates a physical barrier, often called a backflow protector or filter, between the collection kit and the motor. This barrier prevents milk, moisture, and air contaminants from reaching the pump’s mechanical parts, significantly reducing the risk of contamination. While closed system pumps are the safer option for multi-user scenarios, they are still generally classified as single-user devices unless specifically designated by the manufacturer as “hospital-grade.”
Essential Steps for Safe Usage
If a parent chooses to use a previously owned closed system pump, rigorous steps must be taken to minimize risk. The first step is to replace every part that contacts milk, including the flanges, valves, membranes, collection bottles, tubing, and backflow protectors.
These components should be purchased new from an authorized retailer to ensure they are sterile and compatible with the specific pump model. Using non-compatible parts, sometimes called “franken-pumping,” can compromise the pump’s vacuum strength and efficiency, potentially affecting milk supply. The main motor housing and external plastic casing, which should not have touched milk in a closed system, should be thoroughly wiped down with a disinfectant solution or soap and water.
Parents must also inspect the tubing carefully for any signs of condensation, discoloration, or mold, which indicates a failure of the backflow protector. If the tubing shows moisture, it must be replaced immediately, as it cannot be reliably cleaned. Maintaining a strict cleaning and sterilization protocol for all new collection parts after every use is necessary, involving washing with hot, soapy water and then sanitizing, especially for infants under three months of age.
Practical and Financial Implications
Purchasing a used breast pump introduces several complications, primarily the automatic voiding of the manufacturer’s warranty. Most companies stipulate that the warranty is non-transferable and applies only to the original purchaser. Since personal-use pumps often have a motor warranty lasting only one or two years, reflecting their intended lifespan, the user has no recourse if the motor fails or suction diminishes.
When buying used, there is no way to know the previous owner’s usage history, such as the total hours the motor has run or if improper use compromised its function. A motor that has lost vacuum power may be ineffective, causing discomfort and negatively affecting milk supply.
The Affordable Care Act requires most private and commercial insurance plans to cover the cost of a new breast pump and supplies without cost-sharing. This coverage typically applies only to new purchases made through authorized providers. Parents should verify their insurance benefits, as the coverage often makes the risks and mechanical uncertainties of a used pump unnecessary.