how to donate breast pump

by Dewitt Heidenreich V 8 min read

Call your local recycling center and ask if you can recycle your pump. Find an electronics recycling center and see if they will take it. If your pump is a closed system and you are not concerned about the motor wearing down then you can donate it to someone or sell it.

Your best bet would be to check in with your International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to see whether your pump can be safely donated to another lactating parent in need via Freecycle or Craigslist, or other local organizations accepting breast pump donations.

Full Answer

Should you recycle or donate your breast pump?

Dec 17, 2021 · Not many organizations accept breast pump donations due to FDA regulations, however below are a few organizations that do! The Birthing Circle: they also accept new baby items/goods and maternity wear. A Wider Circle: they also accept a host of other goods/ furniture for babies, children, and adults. DC Diaper Bank: accepts NEW unopened pumps ...

How to donate or recycle a breast pump?

May 05, 2019 · So, how do you donate or recycle a breast pump? Nonprofits will not accept donated breast pumps. To recycle a breast pump, contact your local city’s recycling program to find an electronics or small appliance recycling program. Plastic pump parts can be put in the household recycling bin. Some pump companies also have recycling programs.

Can I donate an used breast pump?

Oct 02, 2019 · You can visit www.breastpumpsdirect.com to learn more about the trade in program. Enter your pump brand and choose a new pump at a discounted price. When the new pump arrives you will also receive a prepaid shipping label for the pump being donated. The option to donate breast pumps to moms in need is wonderful.

Can I return my breast pump?

Feb 22, 2016 · Manual breast pumps, such as the Medela Harmony breast pump, cannot be returned through this program. This product can be recycled in your waste management recycling container at home. If you don’t have a pump to recycle feel free to help spread the world about this great program … it’s as easy as a simply retweet! You can do that here! And, if you have a …

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What do I do with my breast pump when done?

If you are, too, ready to say goodbye to your breast pump, there are three things you can do: Selling it, donating it, or recycling it. Selling your used pump may be an option; however, used pumps should only be reused by another individual when they are a closed system pump.Sep 15, 2020

Can I sell my unused breast pump?

In short, closed pumps are the only ones that can be resold. Open breast pumps can be only used by a single user and cannot be re-sold.

Can you use a used breast pump?

Breast pumps that are reused by different mothers can carry infectious particles, which can make you or your baby sick. Buying a used breast pump or sharing a breast pump may be a violation of the manufacturer's warranty and you may not be able to get help from the manufacturer if you have a problem with the pump.Sep 14, 2021

Why can't I sell breast pump on Facebook?

A Facebook spokeswoman says breast pumps are classed as medical items, which are banned under the site's commerce policies. Not all women need a breast pump and there are alternative options like hand expressing or hiring a breast pump for short-term needs.Jun 14, 2019

Is Spectra 2 a closed system?

Like all Spectra pumps, the Spectra S2 Breast Pump is a closed system - a physical barrier between the milk and the pump ensures hygiene and motor performance.

Is Medela pump In Style a closed system?

Medela Pump In Style® maxFlow™ Technology, Closed System Quiet Portable Double Electric Breastpump, with PersonalFit Flex™ Breast Shields. Medela introduces the completely NEW Pump In Style® with innovative vacuum mechanism that combines our research-based 2-Phase Expression® technology with maxFlow ™ technology.

Does the hospital give you a breast pump?

In short, no. Hospitals will not give you a breast pump. They will, however, have a pump available for your use while you're in their care if you need to pump — especially if your baby is in the NICU. Also, many hospitals have breast pumps that you're able to rent and take home with you.Apr 12, 2018

Is it safe to reuse a breast pump?

Answer: “If a breast pump has a separate breast cover and tubing, then it can be reused once cleaned, but the pumps are not labeled as such. ... Breast pumps that are reused by different mothers can carry infectious diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis.”Apr 6, 2011

Can you sell breast pumps on Marketplace?

Breast pumps are considered medical devices All posts must comply with their community standards and commerce policies and may not allow the sale of certain health-care products and services, including breast pumps.Jun 7, 2019

Is a breast pump a medical device?

Breast pumps are medical devices regulated by the FDA. These devices are often used by breastfeeding women to extract (“express”) their breast milk.Mar 26, 2018

Can you sell breastmilk on Facebook?

Breastfeeding moms use Facebook groups to sell and donate their milk, and experts have mixed views about it. Nursing mothers are donating or selling their milk on Facebook. For many of these mothers, it's a way to give back and support other families given nationwide shortages of human milk.Jul 7, 2019

Can I reuse my breast pump for second baby?

As part of every successful pregnancy, doctors usually offer one breast pump as an insurance measure. It is possible to reuse old breast pumps as long as you keep them clean and sanitized, take them inside safely, and purchase new breast pump parts.Mar 5, 2022

What do I do with an old breast pump Ameda?

Ameda does not currently offer a recycling program for used pumps. We suggest you contact your local waste management provider to determine if there are options in your area for recycling.

How do I return my Medela breast pump?

Thank you for hiring a Medela breast pump. Create and print below your FREE Return Label to return it to any UPS Drop off point. We will stop your recurring payments as soon as we receive the pump back, in line with our returns policy.

Can a Medela breast pump be reused?

Answer: “If a breast pump has a separate breast cover and tubing, then it can be reused once cleaned, but the pumps are not labeled as such. ... “You should never buy a used breast pump or share a breast pump... The money you may save by buying a used pump is not worth the health risks to you or your baby.Apr 6, 2011

How long do breast pumps last?

Most breastpumps are designed for a year or so of typical use (15-20 pumping sessions per week). After that point the motor may not function as well, affecting the pump's milk output (and your milk supply). If you buy a used pump, the motor may already be near the end of its expected lifetime.Mar 27, 2018

Can I sell my unused breast pump?

In short, closed pumps are the only ones that can be resold. Open breast pumps can be only used by a single user and cannot be re-sold.

Are breast pump parts recyclable?

Breastshields,flanges, and connectors can be recycled in your regular recycle bin. Tubing needs to be thrown away in your regular trash. It cannot be recycled. Bottles, bottle necks, caps, and sealing discs can be recycled.May 9, 2019

Can you use second hand breast pump?

Breast pumps that are reused by different mothers can carry infectious particles, which can make you or your baby sick. Buying a used breast pump or sharing a breast pump may be a violation of the manufacturer's warranty and you may not be able to get help from the manufacturer if you have a problem with the pump.Sep 14, 2021

Is Medela open or closed system?

Open System Breast Pumps Medela is the only well-known brand that still carries an open system pump. The Medela Pump In Style Advanced has been trusted by millions of mothers for many years. The fact that this pump is an open system does not stop most moms from choosing it!May 10, 2018

What can I do with old breast milk?

Here are a few ways you can use breast milk that your baby can't/won't drink: Milk baths. Breast milk baths can help with dry skin, cradle cap, rashes, eczema, the itch of bug bites, or just for general skin conditioning. Breast milk lotion. ... Syringes. ... Dilution. ... Breast milk soap.

Do Medela breast pumps have a warranty?

The standard Medela breast pump warranty covers the motor for one year and 90 days on parts and accessories. In the event of a defect, Medela will repair or replace the breast pump without charge for repalcement, parts, or labor. Be sure to register your breast pump on Medela's website as soon as you receive it.Sep 18, 2014

How to recycle a Medela pump?

Medela offers a recycling program for their breast pumps called the Medela Recycles program. To recycle through the Medela Recycle’s program, first, contact Medela. Tell their customer service that you are interested in recycling your breast pump.

What is a spectra pump?

Spectra pumps are designed as closed system pumps. They have backflow protectors to prevent milk from contaminating the pump motor. If you are interested in donating your breast pump, you may have difficulty finding a place that will accept a donation of a breast pump.

What is breast milk made of?

Breast milk is made of water, fat, and sugar. If milk gets into the pump motor, it can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Because these breast pumps are open system pumps, it is not hygienic for more than one person to use the pump.

What is WIC for breastfeeding?

WIC is a program that provides assistance to low income pregnant and breastfeeding women. WIC also provides assistance to children under the age of five years old. WIC programs are different by state and each state has its own rules. WIC may be able to provide a breast pump if you have a doctor’s prescription.

Can you sell a breast pump?

It is not recommended to sell a used single-user breast pump. The only types of breast pumps that are safe for multiple users are hospital grade breast pumps. Some examples of hospital grade breast pumps are the Medela Symphony, the Ameda Platinum, and the Medela Lactina pumps.

What components of my breast pump should I ship?

Please send back your pump motor unit and power cord. All other pump kit components (connectors, breast shields, tubing, bottles, valves, membranes, and cooling elements) can be disposed of in your waste management recycling container at your home.

What does Medela do with the returned products?

Medela will send all eligible pumps to a third-party processing center where they will be broken down and all recyclable parts will be recycled appropriately. Medela does not reuse donated parts for recycling for any manufacturing purposes.

What if I want to return more than one breast pump?

If you are returning more than one breast pump, please complete the recycle process for each product. This ensures you have a unique return label and return barcode for each pump. You can box them separately or together as long as all the unique return labels are included.

What types of pumps are eligible for this program?

Only Medela electric, personal use breast pumps are eligible for the Medela Recycles program. Manual breast pumps, such as the Medela Harmony breast pump, cannot be returned through this program. This product can be recycled in your waste management recycling container at home.

What to do with old breast pump?

There are a few things that you can do with your old pump: Store it for a future baby. Sell your breast pump. Donate your breast pump. Recycle the pump. Here’s more information on each of these options.

How to store pump parts?

Sterilize all of your pump parts and bottles, and then let them air dry. Once they’re dry , put them in gallon sized Ziploc bags or plastic containers for storage. Put everything in a bag and , if possible, store it someplace that is at least somewhat temperature-controlled.

How does Medela work?

The way Medela’s program works is that you request a shipping label, and then you ship your pump and charger (not your pump parts) to Medela. (You still have to pay to cover the shipping; the label just has the correct address and your confirmation number.)

Can you donate a breast pump?

However, used pumps should only be reused by another individual when they are a closed system pump. If you have an open system pump, you should not sell or donate your used breast pump. Closed system pumps have a barrier between milk and the pump motor, while open systems do not. ( More on this here .)

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