Ameda Purely Yours

I inherited two Ameda Purely Yours pumps from friends; one was used rarely, the other regularly. My newborn was losing weight due to loss of interest in breast feeding, so I started pumping to supplement.… After 2-3 weeks she became 100% dependent on pumped milk. In the first 3 months I used one pump every 2-3 hours for 15-30 min each time. Since returning to work (now at 8 months) I've kept one pump at work and the other at home, pumping 4-6 times a day. These pumps have been put through their paces. During the fist month my lactation consultant recommended that I try renting a hospital grade pump to maximize my milk production. I rented the Medela Symphony for a week and compared it with the Ameda in a crossover trial, switching back and forth between the two. The bottom line: I pumped the same milk volume in the same amount of time with either. So I returned the Symphony and kept using my Ameda pumps. Note: I did not try the Medela Pump in Style although it's probably similar to the Symphony, just less robust. Advantages of Medela Symphony: a much smoother motorized pump action, quieter motor, supplies available at stores like Babies 'R Us, unit has a more robust, heavier duty motor, as befits a commercial grade unit. Disadvantages of Symphony: much more expensive to rent ($1500 purchase price out of the question), heavier unit, collection bottles are flimsy with poorly designed lids, silicone tubing is contiguous with flange so that condensation, occasionally milk, collects in the tubing. Because of the latter, every other time I pumped I ended up having to blow air through the tubing to remove water droplets. I also had to disinfect the tubing regularly to be sure it was clean. The faster/less pull stimulation mode felt like a nice prep to the slower/stronger pull collection mode, but this really didn't make a difference in the volume collected or the end result on my nipples. Advantages of Ameda: 10% of the Symphony's price, smaller and lighter (more portable), bottles are better designed and less flimsy than Medela bottles, the tubing is physically separated from the milk by the silicone diagphram so it never collected moisture or had to be disinfected. Disadvantages of Ameda: Not a commercial grade motor, so not as heavy duty or smooth, noisier, parts are not available in common stores (check [...]). The pump used more often is making a funny noise and I suspect that an internal part will need to be replaced, not unexpected given its heavy use. Other observations: the Medela filters and Ameda valves eventually tear with use and should be replaced to maintain vacuum. Invest in or make a pumping bra, it will save your wrists and sanity; experiment with different sized flanges if the default one doesn't fit. Also, you can try using a silicone insert that fits into the flange if you're not achieving a good fit; I've tried it and it works fairly well. Both companies now make BPA free bottles in different sizes, flanges, and accessories. The Medela car charge adapter at Babies R Us and Target works with the Ameda Purely Yours pump; to be certain check the Voltage and Amp charger output vs the pump input. Basically, invest in a good quality electric pump if you're going to use it regularly. Considering that the purchase price is equivalent to a dozen boxes of disposable diapers, they're worth it.

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I use this pump to pump mostly at home, every once in a while at work (in a single, private bathroom). I use it mostly once a day, sometimes two times. I have really like it, and haven't had a single… problem with it. It does not seem too loud to me - you can hear it, but it never seems distracting. I find the pieces easy to clean - we wash them with the dishes with hot soapy water. It pumps plenty of breastmilk - very efficient, doesn't hurt (once you are used to it), comfortable to use, etc. I do only one side at a time because it was too much to manage holding both at the same time. I also breastfeed and use this to provide him milk when I am away, so I can't speak to how good this pump is if you are providing milk exclusively by pumping. In short, for daily, but not intense use, this has worked really well for us for the last six months. I would recommend it to someone in a similar situation.

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This pump is great. Easy to use and clean. You can adjust the speed and suction yourself to get the perfect combination instead of relying on the manufacturer's idea of what will work for you. I wrap mine… in a blanket to make it quieter and after a couple minutes I tune it out altogether. Its about as loud as the motor on my baby's swing and no louder than my friends Pump in Style. I use it 4 times a day. It took me about 4 days to get the settings right because I was trying to duplicate the experience my Avent manual pump. That was the wrong thing to do. I keep the cycle at about 75% and the suction at about 25% and I get 2 4oz bottles in about 15-20 minutes. Every time I use it I feel good about not spending the extra money for a Medela. Especially since there is no way for milk to back up into the tubing and motor the way the Medela website warns it can on their products. I cringe every time I see one of them for sale on Craigslist. Do your own research and then buy this system.

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With all of the free insulated bags the hospital gave us, I'm so glad I didn't spend the extra money on the carrying totes. So far the pump works great. I only gave it four stars because I'm not sure if… the dual pumping works evenly. One bottle always seems to fill slow. However, I haven't used it enough to decided if its me or the pump. Also, its a little louder than I expected. However, this is my first pump so I don't have anything to compair it to. I love the adjustable suction, but which I could go even faster with the cycles. My baby is a all buisness eater, so he goes fast. However, so far, pumping goes pretty fast.

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