I wanted to add one point that I have not seen covered in the discussion of moms wanting to use a borrowed or used breastpump. There are differences in the brands of pumps with regard to possible contamination. The medela pumps (pump n style, etc) have a suction system that involves direct suction into a chamber above the entry point for the milk. This means that if the flange of the pump is inverted while suction is on, it is *possible* for milk to travel back up the tubing (assisted by suction) and into the motor of the pump. At this point, it cannot be effectively cleaned, though I have known some moms to try by sending some alcohol up the hoses after it (don't know effectiveness of this). The Ameda pumps (Purely Yours) have a different suction system - the suction is applied to one side of a diaphram that moves up and down to create suction in the flange. For this reason, milk cannot "back up" into the motor of an Ameda pump, and they are approved for mulitple users. For some reason, the medela pumps are much more prevalent, although the ameda is just as good a pump (and cheaper). Having used both brands for 9-5 pumping while at work, I find equal, if slightly different, suction and milk collection with both. But it would be important to find out what brand of pump a mom has if she's bringing a used one bz of the contamination possibilities of the medela pumps. That said, I agree w/ the other poster that most viruses can't live that long in a pump, although mold might be a different issue. respectfully, Kirsten Berggren *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html