I really believe there is one heck of a good research project begging to be
done on this used pump contamination issue.  I don't know whether this
contamination issue is a real or a theoretical threat in terms of pumps
designed to pump human breasts.  Someone could buy some of these used pumps
off eBay and culture them.  Blenkhorn already proved in his study that you
could blow down pathogens onto freshly pumped human milk using some of the
pumps he examined.  I don't know that anyone has looked at the issue of
what's in the "dandruff" or how long that stuff can live.  I bet people
could easily obtain various cultures just by asking pumping women to let
them take samples from their pumps.

Instead of debating endlessly how many angels dance on the head of this pin,
why doesn't someone count them?

It's really pitiful how many issues there are in lactation where we have
these theoretical debates instead of having accessible research.  On the
other hand, it's exciting to be in  a field where there is so much original
work still to be done.

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

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