If your breast pump leaks during breast-feeding, it can transmit bacteria into your baby's blood stream. It can also cause a potentially dangerous reaction in your baby's central nervous system. Your used breast pump doctor probably has told you to pump and share, but maybe you have never actually done so. Under certain circumstances, though, it's good to pump and share.
A breast pump is a medical device designed to increase breast milk production. It's only intended to be used during sleep, sitting down, and standing up, not while you are in an uncomfortable position, like sleeping on your back. While shared, pumps must be cleaned between patients, and you must wash your hands before and after each used breast pump patient. It's also not advised to share the pump with another person, even if they are family members.
The manufacturer designed the breast pump to avoid leakage while pushing the breast through a cervix. However, a used breast pump leak, even if it is considered "within the normal variation," may still occur. A bubble may form or the milk may be pushed back through the cervix and into the baby's mouth, which can cause serious choking if the patient is not careful. Furthermore, physicians warn that coughing or sneezing should be restricted during pumping.
While researching the breast pump controversy, I also found out that many women have bought and used breast pumps without concern. Most of these pumps are called "professional" pumps. If you consider that many female doctors pump and share breast pumps with their patients, you will have your own opinions on this issue. If you have concerns, you can contact your chosen pump manufacturer and/or the American Society of Addiction Medicine. This society is dedicated to educating people on the use of drugs and alcohol in addition to other harmful activities.