borrowing a breast pump from WIC

Hellen - posted on 01/03/2013

Believe me the best pump you can use is the professional from wic they will give you a brand new set and the pump and for sanitary reasons they don't take back the set again so you get to keep it. Try to keep the pump as long as possible cuz it's the best for you to collect the milk and for your nipples. It's softer than the baby

Adrienne - posted on 10/05/2012

I haven't done it but I would ask them first .. because that is something you wouldn't want to share with a stranger or anyone for that matter :

Sandra - posted on 10/05/2012

I have never taken a breastpump from WIC. but when i was in the hospital they let you use their breast pump and you get to take all the pieces home that you used and they also give you bottles. i had rented on from mark drugs medical supply and they gave me one and it looked like it was brand new so i would say go for it!

Darcey - posted on 09/25/2012

yes there clean and sanitary i used one beofre

Dana - posted on 09/22/2012

You can always buy a barely used pump. Much cheaper... and probably a lot more sanitary than a wic one or one from the hospital. Just make sure you get all new parts for the machine

Natasha - posted on 07/30/2012

I just got a new pump from wic today (oregon).. Keep in mind though i think they do rent pumps, and they brand new parts to it.. I think basically, in order for them to give you one you wont be getting formula.. Im excited about mine and plan to pump/ breast feed past a year old.. If all else fails and you arent sure about something just call and ask, dont be afraid to they are so happy to help you out.. nicest people and best support system ever..

Morgan - posted on 04/19/2012

At The WIC in Arizona They Let U borrow One For A Month Then they give u a Brand new Medela Double Electric Personal Pump it is a pump built into a bag with a cooler built in.. For Free To keep With All me Accesseries... Its An amazin deal i was so happy thats a 200$$ pump.. they also give u free storage bags and Washable breast pads..

Stifler's - posted on 01/16/2011

You can sterilise breast pumps in your normal steriliser. I'd do that myself before I used one anyway. I borrowed the one I have from a friend. I have a manual one though.

Aicha - posted on 01/14/2011

I have gotten a breast pump from wic it is completly new and they only have one person use the pump they are electric and work really well the one wic gave me was from medela Pump In Style

Brandy - posted on 01/13/2011

Hey Larisa and all the other mamas reading the post!

I'm a Peer Counselor/Lactation Consultant for WIC in Illinois. If the program loans you a pump, you can bet it will be sanitary no matter which type you get. If you receive a hospital grade pump, you will get a new tubing kit, which you keep as yours forever, and you'll return the pump itself (that is, the motor) when you're done. If you receive what they call a 'personal pump', whether electric or manual, you will not give it back. A personal pump is a one-user device, so they can't give it to another mom even if you were to give it back.

The nice thing about these pumps is that they're not typically the cheapest pump on the market, they're usually either Medela or Ameda, companies that are exactly that--breast pump companies. If you buy a cheap pump on your own, chances are it won't work that great or that it will break down from even normal use in a much shorter time. You should also ask if your insurance will pay for a pump. In Illinois, the public aid card will pay for a pump on its own, or if you have third party/private insurance that doesn't cover one. Then you really have nothing to worry about!

Allie - posted on 03/30/2010

regardless of what you choose for yourself, the only pumps that wic will lend are hopsital grade pumps. they are made to be completely sanitized by getting new exterior parts.. your milk never touches any part of the pump that is not new to you. for more info look at medela symphoy pump on medela's website. any pump NOT of hospital grade will never be more than single user through wic. medela's site will specificaly show you the 2 types of hospital grade pumps if you are at all in doubt!

Amber - posted on 02/08/2010

i rented a pump from them with my first... the pump has NOTHING to do with touchng your breast in any way so sanitary is NOT an issue here they will give youyour own tubing and bottles and nipples cover things...

Alicia - posted on 02/08/2010

I live in DE and here they give us the breat pump for free but if we lose the pump or chose not to breastfeed anymore we have to return the pump. The ones they give us here are very expensive and they are the automatic pumps! I'm pretty sure if they are giving you one to borrow its gonna be sanitized... Good luck:)

Alicia - posted on 01/22/2010

I used one with my first baby. They give you all new tubing for it. Nothing comes into contact with your milk. They even give you extra tubing for it for yourself.

Natalie - posted on 01/22/2010

Ladies, no NOT get a manual Breast Pump! Seriously! I had one with my 1st child and it was pain in the butt! You pump and pump and pump and your arms and hands get sore pretty fast....
I am also on WIC but i'm telling them i'm not breast feeding b/c i am doing both. Both of my kids were so hungry i couldn't keep up with breast feeding so i gave them formula in between. This way i can get that really expensive formula for free and have it when i need it.

Anyways, i have a really good double electronic breast pump. Cost around 100%. I got it at Walmart with my 2nd baby and it worked so great! I'm not going to use it for my 3rd as well.

Ieasha - posted on 01/22/2010

they're lending it to u?? My WIC office ig giving me a brand one to keep forever. if u are unsure, u can ask them what brand is it & order new tubes.

Whitney - posted on 01/22/2010

What breast pump is it? I let a friend borrow my Medela breast pump and we just bought new tubes, guards, etc. For a Medela replacement tube set on Ebay it was $20 with shipping. So if it's a Medela that WIC is offering to let you borrow, you could buy the parts that are used in a personal manner and just borrow the main pump component.

If it's not Medela, I'm sure the other types of pumps have a similar set up. Check that out if that's the case but I for sure wouldn't use the tubes, etc. if they've already been used once, no matter how sanitized they insist they are.

Julia - posted on 01/22/2010

Already had this discussion with my WIC and here in SC they GIVE you the pumps...never return them or anything and they are brand new....I don't know but the worst thing you could do is ask them. I know that there are some extra things that you have to go through to get one of their pumps like be committed to EXCLUSIVELY breast feed for 12 months. No formula. However if something happens and you dry up through no fault of your own you still don't have to return it. I don't plan on using this as I am now a SAHM and doing my college online for the most part. But just putting in my 2 cents. Good Luck!

Sarah - posted on 01/22/2010

Personally I wouldn't rent a pump. That's just me! Maybe, if you don't think anyone would want to spend that much on a shower gift (pumps are expensive and nobody spent that much on me either) ask 2 or 3 (or more) of your closest friends or family members to all pitch in, and get that for you?! For my shower, 3 of my aunts did that for a bigger item that I wanted! (I have a huge family, so that wasn't a problem.) Just a thought for you!! Good luck!

Larisa - posted on 01/22/2010

Im here in California so hopefully it is the same as Utah then. I would feel safe with brand new tubing. I would think that WIC would make double sure that lending pumps was sanitary so that they wouldnt get sued...but thats just my assumption.

Jentri - posted on 01/21/2010

I know that at our WIC in Utah you get all new tubing and things. The only part that you actually return is the motor and the milk dosen't even come near it.

Megan - posted on 01/21/2010

I was planning on borrowing/renting a WIC breast pump, but I'm unsure if it's sanitary. I did read an article about using used breast pumps, saying that there is a chance that diseases can be passed if the milk gets in the motor, and then is ingested by the baby. I'm not 100% sure if this is true. I didn't ask anyone, and it was just an article I read in a magazine at the doctor's office. I can't remember the name of the magazine I read, otherwise I'd look it up for you. It was something like American baby. You could probably check Parents.com and see if they have an article about it. They're pretty good about keeping up with that type of information.



I have since changed my mind about borrowing/renting a used pump. I'm just going to buy a new one from the store, but I am a bit overly paranoid about germs. So, my advice is, if you feel like they're safe, then go for it. :]

Rebecca - posted on 01/21/2010

they are sanitized and in good condition (at least they are in louisiana). But if you have that gut feeling it is a bad idea, you can also rent from a hospital or pharmacy, and renting from either is not expensive

Larisa - posted on 01/21/2010

I do not want to get a manual pump, I have heard only bad comments about them. I registered for an electric pump but my shower isnt until February and I dont think anyone is going to spend that much money on me...lol sad I know...

Chevonne - posted on 01/21/2010

I have never taken a breast pump from wic but i am sure that it will be sterilized. I also do not think it is a good idea because of sanitary issues, even thought they may clean them. Remember the milk is going from your breast into this pumps which then ends up in YOUR babys mouth. I am expecting in march and I cannot afford an expensive breast pump so I am buying the avent manual pump for $49. There are cheaper manual ones which are better to me because you control it. Good luck

Megan - posted on 01/21/2010

I was planning on borrowing/renting a WIC breast pump, but I'm unsure if it's sanitary. I did read an article about using used breast pumps, saying that there is a chance that diseases can be passed if the milk gets in the motor, and then is ingested by the baby. I'm not 100% sure if this is true. I didn't ask anyone, and it was just an article I read in a magazine at the doctor's office. I can't remember the name of the magazine I read, otherwise I'd look it up for you. It was something like American baby. You could probably check Parents.com and see if they have an article about it. They're pretty good about keeping up with that type of information.



I have since changed my mind about borrowing/renting a used pump. I'm just going to buy a new one from the store, but I am a bit overly paranoid about germs. So, my advice is, if you feel like they're safe, then go for it. :]