Is It Safe to Buy a Used Breast Pump? What the FDA Says

Not if it is a single-user pump, and most pumps sold to families are. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says plainly not to buy a used or "pre-owned" single-user breast pump, because it can expose you and your baby to contamination. A pump can look spotless and still not be safe. A few pumps are built to be shared, and those are the exception.

Some baby gear is fine secondhand. A single-user breast pump is not: the FDA says never buy one used.

This is general consumer information from FDA and CDC pages, not medical advice. If you are unsure which pump suits you, the FDA suggests asking a health care professional with breastfeeding expertise.

Is it safe to buy a used breast pump?

For most pumps, the FDA's answer (in its consumer update current as of July 2023) is no. Two reasons stand out:

• Looks can fool you. The agency warns that even a used device that looks very clean may still hold infectious particles in the pump or its accessories for a surprisingly long time.
• Single-user means single-user. Manual pumps are made for one person and should never be rented or shared, and powered pumps designed for one user should not be rented or shared either.

That is why a "barely used" listing is not the bargain it seems. Much of what a pump is worth sits in parts you cannot see or properly clean. Sharing or buying used can also affect the warranty, the FDA adds, which may leave you without help from the manufacturer if something goes wrong.

What is the difference between single-user and multiple-user pumps?

A single-user pump is for one person, start to finish. Do not borrow one, resell one or buy one secondhand.

A multiple-user pump is designed so milk never reaches the working parts that get shared. Per the FDA, the pump unit itself is the only part that can safely be shared; everything that touches milk, usually the milk container, breast shield and tubing in an accessories kit, must be your own.

Does "hospital grade" mean a pump is safe to share?

No. The FDA says it does not recognize the term "hospital grade", so it tells you nothing about whether a pump is safe to pass on. Check the manual or the maker's website for "single user" or "multiple user". If a listing does not say, treat it as single-user.

What if a used pump looks brand new?

Looks are not the test. Ask three other questions:

1. Is it designed for multiple users? If not, stop here.
2. Does it come with the manual? The FDA says to follow the manual to assemble a pump, and if the manual is missing, to look on the box for the maker's customer service number.
3. Is the tubing clean? The FDA says to replace tubing that looks moldy or cloudy right away; the CDC says tubing with milk or mold in it should be thrown away because it is hard to clean properly.

How should a breast pump be cleaned?

Whatever you own, the CDC (page dated September 2024) gives this routine:

• Take apart every part that touches milk, rinse it under running water, and clean it as soon as you can after pumping.
• Wash in a basin used only for pump and feeding items, or use a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle if the maker allows.
• Sanitize at least once a day for extra protection, especially for babies under two months, born early, or with weakened immune systems. To boil, cover boil-safe parts with water and boil for 5 minutes.
• Air-dry on a clean towel, not a dish towel.
• Always check the manufacturer's instructions first.

For a shared pump, the CDC adds that the dials, power switch and countertop should be wiped with disinfectant wipes before and after each use.

The bottom line: what should you do instead?

• Buy new if you want your own single-user pump.
• Rent a multiple-user pump from an authorized provider, and use your own new accessories kit.
• Skip the used listing, however tempting the price. This is one item where the saving is not worth the risk.

Plenty of baby gear can be bought secondhand with the right checks: see used cribs and high chairs and is a used car seat ever OK. For anything you do buy used, run a five-minute recall check first. Families around DC, Maryland and Virginia can browse baby and kids' items by category; how the shop works is on our Help & FAQ page.

Know a new parent hunting for a deal? Send them this before they click "buy".