What to do with breast pumps?

[Susie]

I have two Spectra S1 pumps that I'm now done with.  They're closed system, so they're perfectly fine for someone else to use.  They're pretty expensive pumps that still work perfectly, so I'd really like to get them to someone who can use them.  

All my other large baby items, I've sold on FB pretty easily, but I can't list the pumps because it gets rejected as violating policies.  

My other go-to on baby items has been my neighbor, but she has a Medela pump and doesn't want to mix brands.  I think she may have switched to FFing anyway.  

Any suggestions?

[boiler717]

People post on our swap using nondescript titles and info in comments. “Something to help you feed your baby” — apparently the algorithms read titles but not comments.
Otherwise I’d see if a mother’s center could use.

[minzy]

This came up recently, answers varied:
pandce.proboards.com/thread/619543/breast-pumps

[Susie]

Jul 4, 2020 15:35:50 GMT -5 minzy said:

This came up recently, answers varied:
pandce.proboards.com/thread/619543/breast-pumps

Ha, yeah, I posted in that thread.  I've tried different post titles to get it to go through on FB (no luck), and unfortunately I'm not aware of anything like Medela's recycling program for Spectra.  Neither one really needs recycling anyway, since they're closed system and in good working order.  

Maybe I'll reach out to the lactation consultants at the hospital where I delivered to see if they are able to find a use for it.

[gastro]

Jul 4, 2020 16:28:26 GMT -5 Susie said:

Jul 4, 2020 15:35:50 GMT -5 minzy said:

This came up recently, answers varied:
pandce.proboards.com/thread/619543/breast-pumps

Ha, yeah, I posted in that thread.  I've tried different post titles to get it to go through on FB (no luck), and unfortunately I'm not aware of anything like Medela's recycling program for Spectra.  Neither one really needs recycling anyway, since they're closed system and in good working order.  

Maybe I'll reach out to the lactation consultants at the hospital where I delivered to see if they are able to find a use for it.

Please share if you find out more. I also have a spectra to offload.

[minzy]

Susie Oops, sorry I missed you in there.

There should be a better system to offload these types of things, more cradle to grave planning (so to speak) by the manufacturers...

[tiptoetulips]

Do you have a refugee center in your area? They sometimes accept things like this

[al dente]

Are you trying to make money on them? Or just get rid of them? If you just wana get rid of it you could try local BF groups or Buy Nothing groups and give it away there. Or contact local women’s shelters?

[noodleoo]

Do you have any local BFing support groups on FB? People often post Spectra pumps in there and they go fast. I posted mine today and someone picked it up within a few hours. Note they are always given for free.

[icedcoffee]

Have you tried no title or description on FB? Just a picture with “anyone need this?” Or are you in any moms groups where you could post about it instead of listing it in a BST page? Or Craigslist?

[clseale]

I was also going to suggest a local FB BFing support group. (Or national if you’re willing to ship.) Stuff like that gets offered up all of the time.

[CloudBee]

I ended up with 3 electric pumps. Insurance sent me one, I received one as a shower gift (very surprised as it wasn't even on my list!), and I purchased an extra to leave in my car / take to and from work.

I posted on here to see if anyone had use for a pump. I got rid of 2 that way. I gave the 3rd to a local acquaintance, along with all of my nursing bras, bottles, etc.

Whatever you do, don't drop them off at Goodwill or toss. Someone will have a use for them. Even with closed systems I don't think there's any research or documented instances anywhere that they are unsafe, unclean inside, or you can transmit anything from person to person. Literally every single part that milk touches is washable. I would fight someone on that. LOL.

Would you feel comfortable posting on your personal FB page? Or posting in a local FB group that you have "pump parts for X pump", then PM whoever shows interest, stating that you have a pump, too? There's also that breast milk matching page on FB. Can anyone remember the name of it? Eats on Feets or something? (You post there if you have excess breastmilk, or if you need milk. Some people pump and give milk away if they are traveling for work, etc.)

[macmars45]

I gave mine to a friend who has a baby right now and she will pass it on to another friend who is due in the fall. Otherwise my plan was to give it away on my FB BN group.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I'd look into a women's shelter or a group that helps moms in need. (For example, group I'm part of helps out a Young Lives group (Young Lives is Young Life for Teen Moms). I'm very against Young Life for various reasons, but I'm not against helping these young teenagers who are trying to take care of babies, so I donate a lot of my old baby stuff to the Young Lives group.)

[MrsE]

Personal breast pumps are only designed to last for a year so a few mom friends I know are donating their spectras to a research team that’s investigating how to make low cost ventilators out of breast pumps.


www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-engineers-converting-breast-pumps-into-ventilators/2267494/%3famp

[minzy]

Jul 8, 2020 10:59:56 GMT -5 MrsE said:

Personal breast pumps are only designed to last for a year so a few mom friends I know are donating their spectras to a research team that’s investigating how to make low cost ventilators out of breast pumps.


www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-engineers-converting-breast-pumps-into-ventilators/2267494/%3famp

This sounded so cool to me and I emailed them about it several weeks ago, and at that time they were no longer taking donations.

[MrsE]

Jul 8, 2020 15:12:55 GMT -5 minzy said:

Jul 8, 2020 10:59:56 GMT -5 MrsE said:

Personal breast pumps are only designed to last for a year so a few mom friends I know are donating their spectras to a research team that’s investigating how to make low cost ventilators out of breast pumps.


www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-engineers-converting-breast-pumps-into-ventilators/2267494/%3famp

This sounded so cool to me and I emailed them about it several weeks ago, and at that time they were no longer taking donations.

Aw man, what a bummer! Thanks for letting me know.

[Susie]

If anyone has heard of anything in last couple months... I'm still trying to get rid of my two S1s and still failing.  

Today H took a bunch of stuff over to a pregnancy center that has taken stuff like this before.  They took the nursing pillow, bottles (all of which used to have BM in them, sigh), sippies, etc., but they aren't taking pumps right now "bc COVID."  

I would understand if they weren't taking donations, or were ruling out anything the that had BM in it, but it is frustrating that I can't really understand the logic behind excluding pumps (particularly closed system ones where the milk can't get into the pump) specifically for that reason.

[achi]

If you decide on something a little less generous/philanthropic, I've always been a big fan of this..

www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/mia-gorrell-destroys-breast-pump-in-office-space-reenactment_n_58c2befee4b0ed71826c2d61

[icedcoffee]

Have you tried posting for free on FB? I know they make it hard to post it, but try not using any words like "breast pump" in the post. Just a picture.

[maddiepaddy]

There’s a good handful of pumps being sold on Mercari. No idea how fast they’re selling, but I’d guess it would go fast if you price it fairly low - at least someone would get some use out of it.

Also, my community has a new-ish Facebook group that’s specifically for helping each other out during the pandemic. I’ve seen pumps both requested and offered for donation there. Maybe there’s something similar where you are.

[sdlaura]

I joined our local Facebook Buy Nothing group to give away stuff, especially baby related stuff. I love it! It’s been a wonderful pandemic activity to post stuff I don’t need anymore, and to be able to see the Facebook profile of someone who lives in my neighborhood who really could use and wants that specific item. I pick someone, PM them my address, and it’s gone from my porch same day.

[icedcoffee]

Oct 5, 2020 16:54:00 GMT -5 maddiepaddy said:

There’s a good handful of pumps being sold on Mercari. No idea how fast they’re selling, but I’d guess it would go fast if you price it fairly low - at least someone would get some use out of it.

Also, my community has a new-ish Facebook group that’s specifically for helping each other out during the pandemic. I’ve seen pumps both requested and offered for donation there. Maybe there’s something similar where you are.

I listed mine on Mercari earlier this week and sold it today so ditto this suggestion.