<<Why are these excellent hospital grade machines not extracting the milk?>> Here in the UK most agents for one of the pump companies named are volunteers who are affiliated to one of the breastfeeding support organisations. When I was an agent in this way I know that we tried to keep our pumps serviced, but that many local hospitals would buy a pump and NEVER service it -- not even to change a valve or wipe the case or ANYTHING. If pumps are treated like that, imagine how they deteriorate in performance over the years. Much as I hate stuff like that, I drag the car to the garage once in a while, and even wash the damn thing. I also occasionally bleach the lavatory and wipe round the bath. The idea that there is a lower standard of hygeine for breastpumps than I reluctantly drag myself to achieve in my personal life always freaked me out!!! I wonder how often the same hospital services their other equipment? Magda Sachs Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN ,UK *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html