Buying and Selling Used Breastpumps

According the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
Breastfeeding.com has been in contact with the FDA regarding the  sale of used breastpumps.  According to the FDA, if a breastpump is labeled a "single user" or "single patient" device, that pump is only intended for one user and cannot legally be resold. By selling a pump that has been designated "single user" by the FDA, the pump is not being used in accordance with the FDA and is being "mis-branded," which is against the law, and the FDA could take action.

The reason the FDA designates many breastpumps as "single user" devices, is that there is no complete way to clean certain pumps to ensure that the breastmilk of the original user is not still within the pump system.  Because some diseases have been shown to exist in breastmilk, the possibility of transmitting diseases through a used breastpump does exist, although it appears that no such cases have been documented.

To find out if your breastpump has been designated "single user" by the FDA, please consult the operating instructions that came with the breastpump when you purchased it.

Here are some common breastpumps that are labeled "single user" devices:
The Medela Pump In Style Breastpump
The Isis Breast Pump by Avent

Some breastpumps that are not labeled "single user" devices:
Medeal Classic Breastpump
Medela Lactina Breastpump

Breastfeeding.com is working on compiling a more complete list of common breastpumps and whether or not they are labeled "single user."  We hope to have more information on specific pumps in the future.  However, as a general rule, most breastpumps purchased at department stores (Walmart, Target, etc.) baby stores and maternity stores are often "single user" breastpumps. Pumps that are designated by the FDA to be safe for multiple users are generally hospital grade breastpumps and often used specifically as rental pumps.

If you have a breastpump you are considering selling, please consult the product information first, to be sure the pump is not labeled "single user."  And, if you are considering buying a used breastpump, please determine whether or not the pump is a "single user" pump before purchasing it.  You could ask the seller to check the product information to be sure.


From Medela's Website:
Many mothers have asked if they can safely sell, purchase, or use a previously owned breastpump.  Medela is concerned about the health and welfare of breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Breastfeeding is certainly the best way to feed your baby, and is the gold standard of infant nutrition.  There is some evidence, however, that certain serious viruses* may be transmittable through breastmilk.  For this reason, it is not advisable to use a previously owned breastpump. Breastpumps are single-user products, or personal care items, much like a toothbrush, and are registered with the FDA as single user items.

For safety, breastpumps should never be shared, resold, or lent among mothers.  Medela strongly discourages mothers from re-using or re-selling previously owned breastpump equipment. The Medela Pump In Style Breastpump has an internal diaphragm that cannot be removed, replaced, or fully sterilized.  Therefore, the risk of cross-contamination associated with re-using a previously owned pump such as the Pump In Style cannot be totally dismissed.  Multiple use of single-user breastpump automatically voids the warranty of the Medela product.  Each mother who wishes to express milk with a pump should use a clean, uncontaminated breastpump.  This is the safest way to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination.

Rental pumps such as the Classic and Lactina pumps are made to be safely used by repeated clients who each use their own clean personal rental kit, therefore avoiding any possible cross-contamination.  Rental pumps, when used according to the Medela instructions, are safe to use by multiple mothers who have their own personal kits.

We are aware that different mothers have different pumping needs, and economic situations.  For this reason, Medela pumps come in a variety of styles and prices, to fit the needs of many breastfeeding mothers.  There are also grant programs available for mothers in need.  For information on this and Medela products, ask your local rental station.  For product information, availability and pricing, use our Breastfeeding National Network at 1 800 TELL YOU for your rental/retail station.  Customer Service is available at 1 800 435-8316 for product questions.  If you have any other breastfeeding questions, ask Medela's lactation consultant.

We are invested in continuing health and safety of mothers and babies.  Many mothers who wish or need to express milk regularly find that using a high quality breastpump can help avoid the costly alternative of using artificial baby milk, which sometimes approaches or exceeds $1000 for the first year of baby's life. Mothers who pump frequently may find that the cost of a high quality breastpump, when compared to the price of artificial baby milk is reasonable, and a wise investment in the present and future health of their children and themselves.

1. *It is believed by some physicians and researchers that human breastmilk can possibly contain viruses if the mother is infected. Such viruses may include CMV (Cytomegalovirus), HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS), and HTLV-1 (Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1.)

1. Ruth A. Lawrence, MD, Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession
(St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby-Year Book, Inc., 1999), pp. 225.


From Bailey Medical Engineering's Website:
Bailey Medical Engineering is dedicated to supporting women in their decision to breastfeed by providing high-quality products at reasonable prices.

The Nurture III is our premiere product.  It was designed by Barry Bailey, engineer and father of two, to be an affordable, practical, durable, hospital-quality breast pump.

On the market for the past decade, the Nurture III has been used, tested and recommended by doctors, lactation consultants, breastfeeding educators, and hospitals.

We stand behind our products with a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee and a two-year warranty on the Nurture III Double Electric Breast Pump.  We offer unsurpassed customer service and support.  We'll issue full credit for returned products accompanied by a return authorization number.

Bailey Medical itself is a close-knit work community, not unlike a family.  We all love working here.  It is enjoyable to get calls from moms who have used our pump for all their pregnancies and have then loaned the pump to other moms to use.  Meet all the folks who work here and see us in our natural environment.


From Avent America's Website:
We at Avent America are always striving to provide mothers with quality products at reasonable prices to help them breastfeed longer.  Research has shown that breastmilk can transmit many contagious viruses.  It is for this reason that we strongly recommend that you NEVER use a previously owned breast pump.  The Isis Breast Pump is considered to be a personal care item and has been designed to be for single use only.  Mothers should never share breast pumps.  Sharing or using a previously owned breast pump could put you and your baby at a potential risk for exposure to serious health risks.

Some of the viruses that can be within breast milk are:

• HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS)
• HTLV-1 Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type I
• CMV - Cytomegalovirus

When you are using a previously owned breast pump you create the risk of cross contamination.  It is for this reason that AVENT AMERICA STRONGLY SUGGESTS NEVER USING, BORROWING, PURCHASING OR SELLING A PREVIOUSLY USED/PRE-OWNED BREAST PUMP.

Since a mother's breast milk is the most precious gifts of nutrition/health she can give her baby, DON'T take the chance of sharing someone else's viruses with your baby.

If you have any questions regarding this issue please feel free to contact us at 1-800-54-AVENT