Customer Reviews

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump - Carry All

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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!

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.

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!!!

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.

I've never written a review for anything before, but I just felt compelled to let those of you who are looking into buying a breastpump know that THIS IS IT! I have purchased 2 pumps before and have had not-so-satisfactory results. My first pump was the Evenflo Electric and that poor pump stopped "sucking" after only a week of use. (Evenflo should stick to making bottles!) After that I was told to purchase the Avent Isis, which I did absolutely love. My son was 3 months old at the time and I was staying at home fulltime. It was okay for the time being but I needed something a little more powerful for when I started going back to school fulltime. When I decided it was time to buy a double electric pump, I was reading almost ALL of the reviews online, trying to find the best one. I'm sooo happy I decided to go with this pump. It is absolutely wonderful!

The pump is quiet, it sounds kind of like a copy machine.

It is FAST. I am able to pump about 6-8 oz in less than 15 minutes!!

It is very comfortable. I keep the vaccuum setting in the middle and the cycle setting at the highest at first, and then turn it all the way down low after let-down and it feels just like second nature.

I did have a little trouble getting used to the suction at first. It is different than the Avent pump and there are so many settings to play around with. I'd say it took me about a week to find the settings that worked for me and to get the let-down thing going but once I did, it was as if the milk just flowed right in the bottles!

The customer service is friendly and very helpful. When I had trouble with the let-down, I called their lactation consultant from their customer service number and she emailed me lots of pumping tips. I wasn't expecting that at all and it was so refreshing to get some real help for once!

There's nothing I don't like about the Ameda. The parts are easy to clean and put together. The tote bag is really cute and so is the cooler. I actually look forward to pumping! and I'm sure you will too if you go with this one!

I spent quite a while researching pumps as I knew I wanted to continue to give my daughter breast milk once I'd returned to my full time job. So knew I would need a good electric double pump to do so. I read the wonderful reviews this pump had received and decided to buy this one as opposed to the Medela Pump in Style. I started pumping about a week after my daughter was born as she would fall asleep when nursing her and wasn't eating enough. I didn't want to supplement with formula so pumped in between feedings and supplemented with bottled breast milk. I love the pump and I'm usually able to pump 6-8 oz each time. Clean up is quick and easy. No problems with anything other than the following!!!

When I started using the pump, it had a low pitch whirring noise like a copier machine, which was fine. Now I know there's always going to be some level of noise with any pump but about 1 month after using the pump, it started making a grinding, clunking noise (best description I can come up with!) with the odd high pitch squeak here and there! It I called Ameda's warranty department who over-nighted a replacement pump to me - I was very impressed with their customer service. I happily plugged in my new pump but to my disappointment found that it was even louder and more dysfunctional sounding than the first one!!! This one sounded like a loud electric pepper mill or a cheap electric pencil sharpener! So I called Ameda again and after listening to the representative's explanation that breast pumps do make noise, I let her listen to it over the phone. She quickly agreed that it didn't sound normal and said she would send me yet another replacement pump.

Well, I'm into my third week with the third pump. It started well - normal pump level noise but now once I've been pumping a few minutes, it starts making a high pitched squeak with every pump!!!! I have a private office at work and even placing it in my desk drawer doesn't muffle the noise and people down the hallway can hear it!!! Wrapping it in a blanket helps muffle the squeak but it's getting to be a pain!!

I don't know whether to call again for my FOURTH pump or just live with it! Two of my friends have this pump also and I've listened to theirs so I know that mine is not making the normal, acceptable level of noise.

In conclusion: I love the pump and everything about it but the issues I'm having with noise level even on the new replacements are making me wish I'd gone with a different brand and that's why I only gave 3 stars.

When I had my son, the lactation specialist at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta suggested this pump first and foremost. And she had a lot of experience with pumps. I'm glad I trusted her opinion.

What I liked was that the milk did not back up into the tubes, which meant I didn't have to clean out the tubes. I've heard that can be a nightmare.

Plus there's only a few parts to clean, which makes clean up quick and easy. Much easier to clean than my Avent ISIS hand pump. That thing has a million pieces that become cumberson to clean. However, don't get me wrong, I like that Avent ISIS hand pump for emergencies, quiet pumping, or to use as a backup pump (when all the other pump parts are dirty and I don't feel like cleaning). It gets roughly the same amount of milk and it doesn't hurt the hand like some other hand pumps out there.

The suction power of Purely Yours is something else. You can moderate the suction to quite hard and rapid to soft and slow.

I consistently got about 8 ounces of milk after 20 min of pumping. Of course, every woman is different with differing results, but don't be surprised that you get really good results. This machine is great!

Of course, the only small drawback, is that is a little 'vocal', as in if you pump in a public bathroom, it's quite audible and people can hear it. But that's just a minor thing, it doesn't sound like a blender or vacuum or anything. Just a kind of buzzing hum on the noise level of the DVD tray coming in/out of a DVD player.

I am going to definately use it for my next child, and anyone who asks for advise, I always tell them to get this particular pump.

I used this pump many times a day every day for about 3 months. It worked well for me, but I don't give it 5 stars because pumping was always somewhat painful. I don't think I can necessarily blame Ameda for this, however. I like that the pump is simple and that milk can't get into the tubing and then into the collection bottle, so the collected milk is always clean.





If I may, here's some advice if you're going to use this pump heavily:





Buy extra breast flanges, you won't have to wash them so many times a day if you have extras.





Turn down the suction. I thought it had to be on high to get enough milk out--it doesn't. Low to medium suction is sufficient.





Buy extra collection bottles, but they don't have to be Ameda brand. Any standard-size bottle will work.





Do not plan to feed your baby from the collection bottle. I tried this and the nipple kept collapsing so I had to interrupt the feeding, vent the bottle, and start again 4-5 times per feeding. I fed from the Playtex nurser bottles (using drop-ins) and they worked great. You can also pump directly into the drop in. I used a collection bottle for one breast and a drop-in for the other. I fed the baby the milk in the drop-in and stored the collection bottle in the fridge.

I bought the pump in style with my first baby, and with my second one, I decided to switch to Ameda. I loved it, it has fast and slow settings, as well as suction settings, which you can personalize and leave. You could do that with the Medela pump, you had to set it each time. Drove me nuts! It is also much more portable, you can use it with the bag or take just the pump and accessories in your own diaper bag. The Medela pump was built into the bag. On top of everything, Ameda was recommended by my hospital and was far less expensive and cuter with the little blue hearts and "mommy's milk bag". Ameda has really personalized it's pump to meet many mom's needs. I wouldn't ever go back!

I have tried cheaper pumps, and I own both the Medela Pump in Style and the Ameda Purely Yours. I love them both, equally, and for different reasons--but the Purely Yours is $50 cheaper than the Medela, for a machine that is of equally amazing quality.

I feel that the ameda feels like it's doing a better job of getting the milk out than the Medela, and I love the carry bag--more discreet and easier to carry than the Medela. I also preferred the "feel" of the flanges on the Ameda.

It is a very quiet pump--I would go in a quiet office, would put the pump on the floor by the desk, and was even able to make phone calls without people hearing the pump (not with my cell phone).

I kept Medela at home and Ameda at work so all I had to carry was the chiller case with milk.

I'd go ahead and invest in the "hands free" bra contraption--very helpful.

I know the pricetag feels hefty, but believe me, the investment is well worth it--if you buy a cheaper pump you'll probably be unhappy and will end up buying one of these. The motors last and last, so you'll be able to put it in the closet and save it for babies 2 and 3, or even lend it to a girlfriend who has a baby.

And, in the end, you end up saving the price of the pump on what you would spend on formula... Not to mention that breastfeeding helps you get slim again! I lost all of the 70 (!!!) pounds I gained during pregnancy at five months, and I credit breastfeeding with most of that weight loss.