Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump - Carry All

by Ameda

• Dual hygienekit milk collection system
• Ac power adapter
• Cool 'n carry tote

Product Description

Dual hygienikit milk collection system, micro carry all tote.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

801 of 804 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super pump December 18, 2005

By Elana Abelev

When I was looking for a pump, my top choices were Medela Pump In Style and Ameda Purely Yours. They're both comparable in features and reputation, and I chose Ameda for two reasons:

1. Breast milk is better protected from exposure to the environment. The Purely Yours pump accomplishes this by using a patented diaphragm to create a barrier, which protects the pump and tubing from contamination. (Ameda has obtained FDA clearance to make this claim.)

2. It's cheaper than the Medela.

Having used this pump for almost 4 months, I confidently say that I absolutely love it. Here are the reasons why:

1. Milk goes directly from the horns (the parts that go to the breast) to the bottle (through a small valve). I like the fact that milk does not go through any tubes or the pump body. There are only 3 parts to wash (the horns, the valve, and the diaphragm), and they wash very easily.

2. It's powerful, yet comfortable. In fact, this pump was easier on my nipples than my baby. Sometimes, my nipples got really sore from breastfeeding and I pumped and fed the baby with expressed milk to give my nipples a break.

3. Very portable. I've taken this pump everywhere - to parties, work, on trips, shopping. It takes 6 AA batteries, which is very convenient, because they're easily available.

4. Reasonably fast. It takes about 15-20 minutes to pump each breast until the second letdown. Unfortunately, I haven't yet learned how to pump both breasts at the same time. So it takes about 30-40 minutes to pump both breasts. I hope to one day master the two-breasts-at-a-time technique to cut the pumping time in half.

5. Batteries last for 3-4 40-minute pumping sessions. I consider that quite long.... This pump has a powerful motor, and I would be happy if I would get even 1 session. I usually pump at home where I have an outlet and use the batteries only occasionally. But if you plan to use this pump on the road most of the time, get rechargable batteries.

6. Accepts any standard size bottle. I wanted to use the glass bottles, and used Evenflo Classic Glass bottles without a problem.

7. Cheaper and lighter than the Medela Pump In Style (my other top choice)

There are two things that I do not like about this pump. They are:

1. The car charger adapter that I got does not fit into any car charger! I somehow was able to get it into the Toyota Corolla charger, but almost took the dashboard out when I was trying to get the adapter out. Perhaps I have a faulty adapter, but I've never tried again.

2. The horns break if used heavily. The part that screws onto the bottle cracks, and then breaks. This happened to both horns, and I had to get replacement horns ((...)).

Despite the car charger adapter issue and the breaking horns, I love this pump. It helps me maintain my milk supply and build a freezer stash for emergency use. I would recommend this to anyone.

================== 7.5 month update ============
I have an unfortunate update. It is 1am, and the pump just broke! It's making a loud noise and not pumping. I love it so much and has recommended it to many friends, and now this! This pump has been very heavily used (about 6 times a day, 40 mins each time), but still, I expected it to last more than 7.5 months. I will try to get another Purely Yours first thing tomorrow morning and will investigate the possibility of replacement by the manufacturer. Still think it's the best pump out there, and hope that my case was just a fluke.
================= 7.5 month update #2 =================
Incredibly friendly and super fast customer service!!! After the pump broke, I called Hollister (the manufacturer) customer service. They just asked me for a serial number, and said that replacement will arrive the next business day. I called on Friday, and on Monday morning I had a new pump! I did not have the receipt, and they didn't ask for one. I could not believe how fast I got the new pump. Such superb customer service makes this pump an ever better deal. Yes, it could break, but the company stands by their product. Highly, highly, highly recommend! Read more ›

168 of 173 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Pump June 30, 2005

By drbia

When I started looking at pumps, I did my research and knew I would buy either this one or the medela, since I worked full-time. I decided to go with this based purely on the fact that it was lighter, you could use batteries or a car adapter and it was cheaper (I bought it for $150).

And then I thought I'd made a terrible mistake. Initially it pumped well and then went downhill! I was confused and then figured out the white valves needed changing. I did so and a week later ran into the same problem. I ended up chnaging 3 sets of valves in one month before I realized the problem was me....I was cleaning the valves with a brush which is a NONO....ooops.

Since, I finally figured that out, the pump works great. I can empty both breasts in 20-30 mins. It's easy to carry around. the carry all is elegant and discreet and everything fits in it. It comes with a cooling bag and freezer packs to keep everything cold once you pump. The equipment is small and easy to maintain. It's a great pump and I love it!!!

I highly recommend it. Just please don't make the same stupid mistakes I did!!!

140 of 156 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great breast pump!! March 29, 2005

By Faye A. White-willinger

I really like the Ameda breast pumping system. I was started on it when my son was in the hospital for 9 days after he was born and have been using it since. As an occupational health nurse, I was able to try the Medela pumping system which I found much harder to clean. I found that there was much less risk of having the milk enter into the pumping system witht he Ameda.

I have used my Purely Yours pump in a car and in many other situations during the 8 and 1/2 months of pumping. It si a lightwieght machine with a good amount of power. I take it back and forth to work with me, as well as when I travel.

I love the control and comfort that I have with the length of the pumping cycle and the strength of the suction. I adjust the levels as I have different needs.

56 of 61 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Pump! January 5, 2009

By A. Moore

Since I have not used another brand of pump, I cannot justifiably compare.
So what I will do is list some features I think are good. Most of my friends who have had kids in the last few years have chosen the Medela brand. I had a hard time justifying $100 extra when both seem equally recommended by health care professionals, hospitals, and lactation consultants.

1. Why I ultimately chose it over Medela:
a) great customer service reviews. Folks who had trouble with parts got replacement pumps or parts the next day from the manufacturer.
b) the hygeni-kit, the mechanism that keeps milk from backing up into the tubing
c) few parts to clean
d) price: believe me, if the medela pump was that much better, i'd have paid the extra $100. My job doesn't schedule lunch or breaks, so i have to make time in my schedule to pump. I'd have paid in body parts for a pump that's efficient.

2. Ease of use: from my perspective-excellent. Very few parts so very easy to assemble. Easy to clean---can clean all parts during a commercial break. 2 dials: one for suction strength and one for cycles. i like that you have independent control over each. Very portable in its little carry case. It is compatible with all avent products. You must purchase a conversion kit for like $7.50, but it's worth it! You can pump directly into your storage, except for plastic bags. Also, if you have large breasts or large areolas, I'd strongly recommend the custom phlanges set. Also, be gentle with the little white valves. They're fragile.

3. Noise: this pump is a machine. it makes noise. to me that was not too important. You can cover the motor with a towel or burp cloth to muffle the sound. This is effective enough for me. don't expect it to be silent.... I can still carry on conversations over the phone and can still hear the TV over it.

4. NOT SOLD IN STORES: to me, this is a serious drawback. If the pump or parts get broken/eaten/lost, the solution is not as simple as running out and buying some new. It is also the reason this pump is not as popular as other brands. This is the only reason I can't give a 5 star rating. They do sell extra parts kits, which I purchased, and I'd recommend this as well.

5. Efficiency: superb. I got nervous because all my friends got the medela pump. But, you must remember when starting out that breastfeeding and pumping take practice and perseverance. I get 6-8 oz in about 10 min, and that is after my son has already eaten; I get more than that if I pump instead of nursing. At first I was getting only 2-3 oz, if that. I thought it was the pump, but it was actually me. But 2 months later, things are much easier. A clueless first time mother, I thought the machine was just going to suck the milk out at a set rate until I turned it off. If you're under the same delusion, get a reality check now. The most efficient way to express milk is done by the baby. Your body has to get used to a machine in order to maximize the potential of the pump. ***Finally, even though it's not hands-free, use 4 regular ponytail holders, 2 for each breast. Link 2 together, loop one end around the phlange, the other hook to your nursing bra strap. Ta-Da!

ADDENDUM/FOLLOW UP: 12/1/09
I have been back at work almost a year. My pump got very heavy use for the last 10 months, and I am still using it, but no longer 4-6 times a day. I haven't had a moment's trouble with it. I did find that I had to change the valves as often as recommended to keep the efficiency up.

Sadly, though, I had to use my friends Medela pump in style, and I did like it a lot. There was much less assembly time, and the pump was just as efficient. I didn't get any more milk than I usually did, but I did get it in less time.

I have used several different pumps over this year (I work in a hospital and have easy access). I found that the Ameda flanges fit my breasts better than the Medela ones did. In my research, I read that the flange fit does play a large role in how efficiently you pump.

I still recommend this pump very highly. If you have flexibility at your job, then it is a great option over the very expensive medela. However, if every minute counts, I'd have to recommend the medela. Read more ›