Borrowing breast pumps?

I thought I heard it was a no no because of the milk getting into parts...then my best friend offered me hers and told me that I would just have to order new tubing, membranes and shields.

Now I read on consumer reports that you should never borrow a personal one, which could have microscopic bacteria in the pump mechanism itself and could be released into your milk.

They go on to say that only hospital grade pumps are designed for mulitple users, etc.

Now - my BF says that hers IS hospital grade. It's the medela pump in style I though that was a personal one. I know many people who have borrowed them and changed the pieces mentioned.

Has anyone done this? Does anyone know if the pump in style is a hospital grade?

I guess it's worth just having my own.

Message edited 1/7/2009 10:51:14 PM.

Re: Borrowing breast pumps?

I borrowed my sister's for home and bought one for work so I didn't have to bring it back & forth with me. I boiled her stuff before using it.

I know a lot of people that borrow them & buy the new parts. My pump was passed around to 3 other people.

I know they so it's a no-no. I think it's perfectly fine. If you've pumped so much that you have an overflow, you'll see that the milk is in the tubes & never enters the pump. In all of the time I pumped, it's happend once with a 9 ounce bottle. I was working & pumping at the same time in my office & didn't realize I filled the bottle.

Re: Borrowing breast pumps?

my twin sister borrowed our older sister's and all she had to do is buy her own parts.

Re: Borrowing breast pumps?

You'll be fine if you borrow and get new parts. As far as I know, the PIS is a personal pump, not hospital grade. I think hospital grade pumps are mucho money---not $200 (as if that's not enough).

Message edited 1/8/2009 6:43:42 AM.

Re: Borrowing breast pumps?

I borrowed and she had extra new parts.