If you are breastfeeding a baby, then you might have to use a breast pump. When it comes down to it, these devices allow you to extract milk and store it for future use.
But what if your child has stopped talking breast milk? Then you might have to dump your pump in the store. Aside from that, you might feel like throwing the device from your home.
But don’t do that just yet.
5 things to Do with an Old Breast Pump
If you have an old breast pump that you’re sure you won’t need for a baby again, then consider doing any of the following with it:
1. Hand it Over to a Breast Pump Company
If you have a closed system pump, you can hand it over to charity. Such products are safe because they use barriers to block unhealthy substances. But if your breast pump uses an open system, it might contain tons of contaminants.
You can find several charities that accept such items. But before you donate, use the following tips
- Confirm if your breast pump is sterilized
- Perform an online search for relevant charities
- Call their offices and confirm if they accept these devices.
- Submit the pumps to assigned drop-off locations.
2. Submit the Pumps for Recycling
Several companies have programs for accepting old breast pumps. If you submit the items properly, the items will be recycled into newer breast pumps.
Here are the general rules for submitting old breast pumps.
- Call the manufacturing company and confirm if they have a recycling program.
- Submit the breast pump to assigned drop-off locations.
3. Keep It in Storage
If you don’t know what to do with an old breast pump, you can just keep it in storage. After all, you might need it to feed a new baby. Also, use these steps to store the breast pump without any issues.
- Wash and air dry the breast pump.
- Clean your hands with soapy water.
- Reassemble the breast pump.
- Keep the breast pump in a clean, dry environment. You can try placing the pump in a Ziploc bag.
4. Sell It
If you are looking for quick cash, you can sell off your breast pump. But it would be best if you sold the closed versions because of health issues.
- Visit relevant sites like Craigslist.
- Place an ad with few personal details
- Sell the item
5. Turn It into a Ventilator
Recently, some people have turned old breast pumps into the ventilator. So if you have experience with mechanical projects, you might try this task.
But if you don’t know how to build ventilators from breast pumps, donate your old breast pump to companies that offer this service. If you don’t know where to send your pumps, perform an online search and get a trusted startup.
Why Can’t I Donate Open Breast Pumps?
Used open breast pumps do not come with barriers. For this reason, they might contain bacteria, fungus, or even dirt. If you want to donate breast pumps, try using the closed models.
Can I Throw My Breast Pumps in the Trash?
Since breast pumps serve as electronics, you cannot dump them in any trash can. If you want to dispose of your old breast pump, use the recycle bins for plastic parts. But if you still want to dump the pump in the trash, you will harm the environment.
How to Get a New Pump
If you are confused about using your old breast pump, you might need a new one. Since there are tons of options in the market, you might get confused and choose a bad product.
Here are the steps for shopping for a new set of pumps.
- Choose a pump that suits your preferences. For instance, if you produce much milk, look for models that suit this condition
- Look for insurance companies that ease the process of purchasing new pumps. With these companies, all you have to do is submit an application and allow them to handle the rest.
- Do not rush for the most expensive models. After all, they might not offer the decent quality performance as cheaper brands.
- Save more money by browsing different online stores. If you find a bargain, check out the reviews and confirm if you are choosing a good breast pump.
Wrapping Up
If you have a baby, breast pumps can help store their food. But as your kid becomes bigger, you might have to dispose of them.
Since breast pumps stand as personal items, you cannot use them for tons of projects. So if you own an old breast pump, you can donate it, sell it or even keep it for your next child.
Closed systems come as the acceptable models for donations. After all, these devices have barriers against unhealthy substances. But if you have an open system breast pump, you should find other uses for it.
If you don’t feel like using these tips, you can place them in a recycling collection point. Most times, some companies have programs that reuse older breast pumps.
