Several posters have wondered if pumps are dangerous for mothers who do NOT
share them.  In those cases, the baby and the mother already share the same
germs, so there is no risk of cross contamination from someone else's
unfamiliar germs.

 The dental profession shares many of these same concerns of cross
contamination with regard to suction creating machines (like those thingies
that suck up your saliva while your mouth is gaping attractively).  I read
an article in the dental lit several years ago about the potential for blow
back contamination that almost made me want to quit going to the dentist.
I've taken to making very early in the AM dental appointments so I'm the
first one there after the autoclaving.  Just because no one specifically
tracks these issues in our field doesn't mean we shouldn't consider them.
Again I say:  If we are going to use tools we have an ethical obligation to
understand how they work.  I see some of these questions that people asked
(i.e. are there germs in the gunky dandruff and how long do they live?) as
really good research projects.

While it is clearly an economic advantage to the pump companies that people
buy new products, I hold with the previous poster who asked whether people
would share a used electric toothbrush.  While it may be advantageous to the
elect. toothbrush manufacturer that people feel squeamish about sharing
their product, it is none the less a hygiene issue.

Someone emailed me personally about the rental grade pumps.  These are safe
for multiple use because they are designed to protect the motor from
inspiration of aresol particles.  The Lactina creates suction externally to
the sealed off motor (in the kit).  The Medela Classic has a hepafilter in
the kit that protects the motor.  The Holister pumps have a diaphragmatic
filter that does the same thing.  The Pump in Style is the only one I'm
personally a bit unsure of.  It also has a diaphragm, which ought to protect
the motor, however, it has a built-in storgage section and I see a lot of
these machines in use, many of which are crusty with spilled milk.  They get
very beat up.  If there were a tear in the fabric of the storage section and
a spill occured, then the motor could come in contact with milk.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

             ***********************************************
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