Thanks for everyone's honesty and courage to be so candid in your replies.

The rep emphatically denied that this was possible or that they had received any reports of mould anywhere.  I would encourage that if you do find problems, report it to Medela and document it for your own records.

I plan to speak to the Medela rep again on this subject.  I was not sure about stocking their products for various reasons: insufficient financial means on my part, code violations, to name a few.  Now, I do not feel I can confidently recommend their products.  My trust is shaken.  I will look at the research that some of you mentioned before I speak to the rep.  I want to be prepared this time!

In my area, we have not yet seen the Hygeia.  But we do have Ameda.  For most mums, the Ameda PY is a great pump.  And their closed system is absolutely closed, without doubt.  My experience with this pump has been quite positive.  Through nursing 3 kids well past the toddler years and a fair bit of pumping as they got older, I have never seen so much as a speck of condensation make it in to my tubing and the motor has held up well.  I've only needed to replace the white valves and get the newer BPA-free flanges.  And when I hear of moms getting a second-hand PY, I am not concerned as long as they get themselves a new kit.  In the PY, there is clearly a secure diaphram that completely seals off the tubes from the flanges/shells.  There are a fair number of Ameda distributers in my area, including a few locations renting the Elite.  I'd love to see the Hygeia make it's way north, it looks quite interesting.  I would love to check it out.

Jennifer Welch, IBCLC, LLL
Montreal, QC, Canada

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