Apropos the discussion about kits and problems, I have had a mother call
today who has been using the PNS with the new thin tubing.  Having heard
other LCs mention women complaining about mold in the tube, I was concerned
when she told me she has had milk back up into the tubes on two occasions.
She washed tubes as per instruction booklet, but now one tube has mold in
the area right behind where the hard-plactic fitting is located (the part
which plugs into the back of the breast shield.)  I told her to try flushing
tube with vinegar and water, boiling, and then pouring rubbing alcohol thru
tube as it will evaporate faster than water and will pull water out after.
Then whip it around like lariat and hang to dry.  Sniff after airing out to
make sure no odor lingers.  If this doesn't get rid of mold, snip off that
piece, peel tubing from fitting, and wiggle fitting back into a clean
section of tube.  If all else fails, we'll order new tube.

Pumps and kits can wear out and part of being a good LC is getting familiar
enough to trouble shoot the equip.  And to sort out when problems are poor
assembly or inappropriate use by parents.  I've had so many calls from moms
who have been handed a pump by a clerk and gone home and mis-assembled or
mis-used (often double pumping like crazy when what they have is an
over-supply problems to begin with). Its the same thinking that assumes that
you can fix sore nipples with a pre-assembled kit of paraphenalia.  If
breastfeeding fails through lack of timely intervention (which can be easily
delayed if people believe a piece of equip. can fix them) then the equip.
takes the blame. Everyone loses when bfg fails.

I also had a mother with plugged ducts related to engorgement pumping in my
office last week.  She was using the new double kit on my office Lactina.
For some reason the results were not that great, so I swapped out an old
kit.  She remarked the pressure seemed greater.  I checked with pressure
gauge after she left and could detect no difference -- or only slight diff.
However it was perceptibly diff. to the mom and the old kit worked better.
I like the idea of the new kits because I really like external controls to
switch from single to double. I am going to order some old kits to have
around tho as a backup.
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html