Expert: ruth kraft - 8/24/2010

Question
Hi, I bought a secondhand breast pump a medela mini electric recently.  I used it twice after sterlising all the plastic parts (but not the motor obviously as electric).  I since read on a few websites that this pump is an 'open' system pump and therefore milk from previous owner could get into the motor and contaminate my milk and can pass on HIV, hepatitis and thrush.  I have been worrying to point of obsession ever since I could have given my baby something.  My health visitor said it was fine but I'd like a second opinion. I hope you can help.

Answer
It is very unlikely that you would have gotten any serious disease from the internal motor part of the pump. Most of those types of diseases only live for a day or two until they dry up and at that point even in the best of circumstances would not transfer to you or the baby.

If it is still too much and you no longer want to use the pump, there are many other options. Email me directly at Ruth@honoringwomen.com and I can point you in the direction of finding a pump that fits you and your needs.

Although I cannot guarantee that you would not have gotten anything, the chances are so small that it would not concern me at all. The sterilization of all the parts that touched you, are good enough. Those pumps are made well so the likelihood anything could travel from the motor to the bottle is virtually nothing.
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With Much Appreciation,

Ruth Kraft CD CLD HBCP FOCEP
Mother of Emma & Jacob
www.honoringwomen.com
http://welcometotheworld2.blogspot.com/
Support for pregnant and new moms