Breast pumps have several parts that are needed in order to form a seal around the nipple that is sufficient enough to enable effective suction of the mammary glands. Often, one or more of these parts will become worn out, lost or broken, and you'll need to buy replacement parts to keep your breast pump functioning properly.
Instructions
1. Contact the maker of the breast pump for replacement parts. Most makers, including Medela, Evenflo and more, have replacement part kits for the small parts that wear out more frequently. The parts you will need will generally be the rubber valve that holds the vacuum while the suction is engaged and the breast shield that is placed over the breast. Both parts come into constant contact with milk and should not be reused if the breast pump is used. Even when not used, these parts must be washed after each use and have a tendency to wear out before any others.
2. Look online for the contact information if you bought the breast pump used. Some women buy their breast pump at online auction sites, at consignment sales or garage sales in order to keep the cost down. Anytime a breast pump is bought used, the breast shield and valves should automatically be replaced, but you'll also have to look at the specific model to see if any other pieces will touch the milk. Some models have tubing that connects the shield and the bottle. If there is any tubing, that too will have to be replaced.
3. Buy the replacement parts online. Online baby and breastfeeding stores often sell replacement parts. There are also specialty sites that cater only to breast pumps and breast pump parts. Mybreastpump.com sells an wide variety of different parts and accessories for breast pumps. Lactationconnection.com is another online retailer with a wide selection of parts. These places will sell a replacement kit for each model. The kit contains all of the parts you'll need including the valve, breast shield and any tubing that comes into contact with the milk (see Resources).
4. Look for bottles into which you'll express milk. Some pumps require a certain sized bottle while others can accommodate any size of bottle, as long as the cap and breast shield piece will screw onto it.
5. Prepare to replace liners often if your pump has bottles that require you to pump milk into a bottle with a liner. If planning to freeze the expressed milk, you'll most likely be using bags in which to freeze it, so make sure to have plenty of these on hand.
Tags: breast pump, breast shield, replacement parts, tubing that, breast pump, breast pump used
