selling used breast bump

[LoveTrains]

I have a coworker. She just emailed a bunch of people with some baby items she is selling. Is it appropriate to give her a side eye for wanting $150 for a well used medela freestyle breast pump? 

[Redpoppy]

They are expensive but it isn't something I would sell off at work. That's high price wise too and it's possible insurance covered it.

[ringstrue]

Yes.

Does your employer's insurance cover pumps? I thought most did or had to now? I think the time of being able to sell pumps for much is going to be ending with so many people being able to get them for free.

[LoveTrains]

The other reason I was questioning is that aren't certain breast pumps for single users only? Like the inside cannot be sterilized because it isn't hospital grade.

She is kind of in "bitch eating crackers" territory, however, so I wasn't sure if my instincts were right on this one....

[Brie]

That's over 50% off retail, so I wouldn't side-eye. And some insurances still don't cover a double electric--mine only covered a single manual pump until recently. I doubt she'll get $150, but still.

Also, if she's selling it to CWs, I'm assuming that the people who are potentially buying it know her and trust there's nothing shady going on with the pump. I'd feel better about buying a used pump from someone I know than off a random BST board.

[redheadbaker]

Nov 24, 2014 12:33:09 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

The other reason I was questioning is that aren't certain breast pumps for single users only? Like the inside cannot be sterilized because it isn't hospital grade.

She is kind of in "bitch eating crackers" territory, however, so I wasn't sure if my instincts were right on this one....

Medelas are supposed to be single-use (they are "open" systems, so there is the potential that the milk could get into the motor). 

[hilwithonelary]

Eh, the price may be a little high, but I don't think it's wrong to sell a breast pump. Some people aren't willing to take the risk of a used pump, but some are. True, it can't be completely sterilized, but I don't think using a secondhand pump from someone you know and trust is much different than pulling your own pump out of storage to use for a second child.

[pinotgrig]

Nov 24, 2014 12:33:09 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

The other reason I was questioning is that aren't certain breast pumps for single users only? Like the inside cannot be sterilized because it isn't hospital grade.

She is kind of in "bitch eating crackers" territory, however, so I wasn't sure if my instincts were right on this one....

Yes, yes they are. This isn't something I would personally do, esp via mass email at work.

[zarapipe]

Nov 24, 2014 12:36:30 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Nov 24, 2014 12:33:09 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

The other reason I was questioning is that aren't certain breast pumps for single users only? Like the inside cannot be sterilized because it isn't hospital grade.

She is kind of in "bitch eating crackers" territory, however, so I wasn't sure if my instincts were right on this one....

Medelas are supposed to be single-use (they are "open" systems, so there is the potential that the milk could get into the motor). 

I don't think that is possible with the freestyle. The milk doesn't get into the tubing as far as I know..

[redheadbaker]

Nov 24, 2014 13:12:13 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

Nov 24, 2014 12:36:30 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Medelas are supposed to be single-use (they are "open" systems, so there is the potential that the milk could get into the motor). 

I don't think that is possible with the freestyle. The milk doesn't get into the tubing as far as I know..

According to KellyMom (and I don't know when this list was last updated), the only Medela closed-system pumps are the hospital-grade ones. 

[zarapipe]

redheadbaker eekk, did not know! Thanks

[Deleted]

Well I paid $100+ to upgrade to a Freestyle from my "free" insurance pump so maybe she's just trying to recoup her money. I'd use a used pump if it had been my sister's for example but probably not a random coworker.

[jssymom14]

Mine was covered also and I protect the shit out of that thing now that we don't have that insurance any more. My SIL has been hinting about wanting to borrow it and I keep ignoring the subtle messages.

[badgergrl]

My medela manual said I wasn't even supposed to use again for the second baby.

I much prefer my freestyle though to my insurance provided PIS, so I have ignored the instructions.

[cowboyjoe]

I'm really curious as to how the heck breastmilk would get in the motor. I have a PISA and I have never seen milk in the tubing. Does this actually happen or is it one of those extremely rare possibilities that they have to cover for liability reasons?

[lilac05]

Nov 24, 2014 16:44:56 GMT -5 cowboyjoe said:

I'm really curious as to how the heck breastmilk would get in the motor. I have a PISA and I have never seen milk in the tubing. Does this actually happen or is it one of those extremely rare possibilities that they have to cover for liability reasons?

I think it's for liability reasons.  I have never had an issue, either, but I can see where the milk could get into the motor. 

I'm planning to try and sell mine with all of my extra supplies for a very minimal amount.  I Can't just throw it away because of some slight risk when there could be a mom out there willing to take the risk in order to afford a pump.

[sillygoosegirl]

Nov 24, 2014 15:22:14 GMT -5 badgergrl said:

My medela manual said I wasn't even supposed to use again for the second baby.

I much prefer my freestyle though to my insurance provided PIS, so I have ignored the instructions.

This seems really ridiculous to me. What difference does it make whether you are still pumping and BFing baby #1 at, say, 1 year old per AAP guidelines or 2 years old per WHO guidelines, vs baby #2 who certainly could be born by the time baby #1 is 1 or 2 years old. It's not like any part of the baby comes in contact with the pump in typical use. Or am I using mine wrong?