This is something I wonder about too.  I used to feel that Medela's single use policy was 1, a money grab, and 2, the company protecting itself from any liability related to any potential disease from potential cross contamination. Medela's  policy does not address the obvious problem, with its pumps.  Mold can grow in them regardless of how many people use one.  I can't wait to crack open my PIS and see what is growing in there.

I remember a year or so ago, medela had a program where you could send in your old pump and get a discount on a new one, probably a Freestyle.  I believe the company wanted to do research on the used pumps, I thought evaluating the longevity, but now I wonder if they were also looking for mold.

I am really disappointed.

Cordelia Merritt RN BSN IBCLC

On Feb 23, 2011, at 6:14 PM, LACTNET automatic digest system wrote:

> Subject: Re: Mold in pumps
> 
> I was wondering if it is safe for a mother to use her PIS that she used say 2 years ago for her other child?  Since sharing information about the mold and buying used pumps, I've had mothers wondering if they can use their own pumps that they invested an ungodly amount of money in to have for more than one child.  Is there a way to store these pumps to preserve them for the next child?  How do you know if there is mold without opening the motor case?  Thanks and still grossed out because I too used a PIS - Dana

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