Meg, you expressed my thoughts exactly.

<Call me cynical but is it possible that it is a technique to increase
sales? I am not saying the risks have been fabricated, but surely if the
evidence states that there is no way most pumps can be entirely
sterilized then that is an issue that should be addressed by the
companies.>

I know different pumps have different systems, and I am not very expert
on the "internal works" of any.  I do remember seeing some sort of air
filter on an Ameda-Egnell at a convention display one time. Certainly
this must all have been figured out for pumps used among many mothers in
hospitals, and rental stations, has it not?

But passing along AIDS and Hepatitis, etc. from another mother seems to
be the fear factor that has been created, whereas, if pumps are so
"germy", there are many, many other organisms that can cause a
breastfeeding mother harm (mastitis, thrush???) that might theoretically
have been seeded by her own milk in her own pump, multiplied and soon
"recaught" when her defenses were down somewhat. Especially if she keeps
the pump and uses it in future pregnancies.

Has anyone ever considered it a research variable to consider when
following up on causes of mastitis?

Jean
*********
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio  USA

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