Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump

I bought this pump 9 months ago and I love it! Much cheaper than the Medela ones, and it had great reviews. Last week I noticed that the motor seemed to be dying, as the cycles wouldn't change speed. I called Ameda this morning, and they are FedExing me out a new motor in 2-3 days. Customer service was extremely helpful and friendly. I am very pleased!
Posted on 5/11/10

I originally rented the Elite model from the hospital and it was wonderful, but not very portable for work. I purchased Mi Pump not only because of the price, but because I used the BreastFlow bottles. I used that pump for 2 months and had problems with the pump as well as a decrease in my milk supply. I did a lot of research online and purchased the Purely Yours pump. The first time I used it I got DOUBLE what the MiPump got! It was easier on my nipples and worked really fast!

I also found that my milk changed with the MiPump and my little one wouldn't drink it if it wasn't pumped fresh that day. I didn't have that problem with the Purely Yours or the Elite. I can only guess that it might have something to do with the closed system. The MiPump is an open system and so air mixes with the milk.

Bottom line, love the Purely Yours, and I am willing to live with the annoying beeping noise it makes.
Posted on 2/28/10

I used the Ameda Purely Yours for both of my children (1 year and almost 3 yrs). I absolutely loved it!!! It is easy to use and easy to clean!!!
Posted on 1/4/10

I rented a hospital pump for two months after my twins were born - initially to help bring in supply, later to pump bottles in the morning, after nursing, to have on hand for topping the babies off in the evening when my supply was lower and they were ravenous. I was reluctant to purchase a personal use pump because you can't try them out and you can't return then and I hated to spend much money and hate the pump.

But the cost of the rental was adding up and I finally bit the bullet and bought the Ameda. I am glad I did.

I have not used a PIS so I can't say how this compares, but I seem to have as good results with it as I did with the hospital grade. When I pump after the morning's first feed, I get around 2oz with either pump. When I pump after later feeds, I get between 1 and 2oz. I know these amounts are not impressive but this is after nursing two babies, and what matters is the results between the Ameda and the hospital grade pump are similar.

I like that this pump has adjustable speed and suction. I don't care for the "let down" feature of the PIS - I like to have total control. If you start with low suction and high speed, and then switch to high suction and low speed once your milk starts.

I guess there is one thing about this pump that I don't like.

I often find myself using the highest level of suction and worry that if the pump loses even a little suction over time, it will not work for me - so I try not to crank it all the way up so my body doesn't get used to the max amount of suction. The max on the Ameda is not as high as the max on the rental, but it is still sufficient. I wouldn't recommend this pump for bringing in your supply if you are nursing a preemie or otherwise having difficulties, but after that period I think it is fine for maintaining, occasional pumping, pumping at work, etc.

All in all it's a great pump. Skip the beefed up packages - you can store the pump in one of the hospital diaper bags and buy cheaper (and possibly safer) bottles to pump into. Save your money for something fun.
Posted on 12/22/09

I had researched breast pumps while I was pregnant, and was wavering between the PIS, and the Ameda Purely Yours. However, I waited to buy a breast pump until after my baby was born. Unfortunately, my baby didn't get the hang of breastfeeding right away. After much frustration, and talking with a lactation consultant, I thought it best to just pump my milk for my baby. For the first few days I used the hospital rental, which did a good job, until my Purely Yours pump arrived.

When the Purely Yours arrived, the collection kit was already pre-assembled and ready-to-go. The manual does advise cleaning the containers, flanges, and valves before first use.

Features

-Lightweight: the Purely Yours uses a microchip instead of a motor. It's also very compact.

-8 suction settings and 4 cycle speeds makes it easy to customize a setting to your pumping comfort. My only peeve was that there were no notches or numbers on the suction and cycle dials. These would have been helpful once you find a certain setting so you could easily go back to it. Instead you had to remember what position the dials were at.

-Hygienikit: this is Ameda's patented system preventing backflow of milk into the tubing using a special diaphragm

-Single/dual pumping: this is simply done by removing one tubing from the connector and closing one hole on the white pump connector. I've done both single and dual pumping and haven't found any difference in suction power

-3 power sources: the pump comes with an AC adapter. You can also use 6 AA batteries, or purchase a car adapter

How does it pump?
When I first saw the Purely Yours, I was skeptical it would pump effectively. I found it did just was well as the rented hospital grade pump. It didn't hurt, and I was able to establish my milk supply without actually breastfeeding. The parts are easy to clean also. I've read some opinions that this pump was loud, but I didn't find the Purely Yours any noisier than the others. There is an intermittent beeping noise while pumping, but I didn't find it to be a problem.

Extras:
-2 sets of extra white valves which came in handy as I had to replace mine after 4 weeks of use pumping every 2-3 hours everyday. The manual recommends replacing them every couple of months for optimal suction.

-2 storage lids if you store your milk in the containers

-Flexishields: I purchased these separately and found pumping to be more comfortable with them.

By the way, I purchased only the pump without the carrying case so my pump came with just 2 collection containers. I am very satisfied with the Purely Yours and it's worth considering.
Posted on 12/8/09

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 first month, my lactation consultant recommended that I try renting a hospital grade pump to maximize my milk production. I rented the 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.

Advantages of Ameda: 10% of the price, smaller and lighter (more portable), bottles are better designed and less flimsy, the tubing is physically separated from the milk by the silicone diaphragm so it never collected moisture or had to be disinfected. Disadvantages of Ameda: Not a commercial grade motor, so not heavy duty, noisier, parts are not available in common stores (check [...]).

Other observations: the valves eventually tear with repeated 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.

Basically, invest in a good quality electric pump if you're going to use it regularly, the Ameda works just fine. Considering that the purchase price is equivalent to a dozen boxes of disposable diapers, they're worth it.
Posted on 12/3/09

This pump is great! The different suction levels made it easy for me to get used to pumping. It literally only took me five minutes to set it up the first time, and now only takes a little more than a minute, which makes it much easier than I expected to use at work. The quick set up of the Purely Yours provides me with sufficient time during my break to pump. The closed style of the pump makes clean-up only necessary for the breast cups, bottles and the little valves. I use a bottle brush to clean the cups but only hand wash valves because the brush will tear them.
Posted on 11/14/09

I've had this pump for 8 years now. I've had 3 children and have used this pump for at least a year with each child. It still works just as great as the day I bought it from the lactation consultant.

It's very easy to clean. The tubing and breast flange replacement pump parts aren't hard to find. It's also very durable; surviving all the bouncing around it's been through over the years!

This pump has more than paid for itself over what I would have paid in buying formula. Also the added benefit of knowing my kids continued to get breast milk over formula.
Posted on 11/6/09

I bought my Ameda Purely Yours in early 2006 with the birth of my first daughter. I ended up quitting my job so didn't need to use it more than a few months. I pulled it back out about a month ago with the birth of my second daughter and use it 3x/day at work. I started having issues with the "tubing port" on the motor which was affecting the suction. I called customer service today and explained the problem and although my pump is nearly 4 years old, they apologized and offered to replace it (the motor) at a 75% discount for a total of $25!! I love the pump and had the best customer service experience of my life!
Posted on 11/6/09

I've been using the Ameda pump since my 4 month old daughter was a few weeks old. As a teacher, I haven't yet had to go back to work, so I haven't tested it outside of the home yet. But I think it would work great at the office as well, as long as you don't mind a little noise from the pump. The pump is very easy to use and fairly easy to clean. My favorite part is the ability to adjust the suction strength and frequency on a sliding scale instead of having to choose 1, 2, or 3. You just turn the knob to the level you like and tweak it to make it suction a little less or more depending on what works for you. Very easy to personalize, which makes it way more comfortable. It's also pretty dependable and durable, since I'm using a pump given to me by a friend. I haven't had any problems with anything breaking or wearing out yet. It's also a good one to get used because it keeps milk from going into the tubing or the motor. Very sanitary. I don't think other pumps can guarantee the same thing.
Posted on 9/10/09

I've been using this pump for two months and I really like it. My baby won't pull enough milk from me so I have to pump six times a day, so I've really used it a lot and had no problems. The main reason I like it is you don't have to worry about sterilizing the tubing. Because of the way it's designed, no milk can get into the tubing. This makes it a lot easier to upkeep.

I've tried nursing at times to see if my baby will do better and during one of these times, my milk supply went down, but all I had to do was increase my pumpings from every 2.5 to 3 hours to every 2 (while I was awake), and soon my milk supply was back up and I was able to go back to 2.5 to 3 hours again.

One reason I chose it is I used an Ameda pump in the hospital. The pump kit I got there can be used with this, so I have spare parts in case I lose something, which I really like, or I can buy another kit at the local lactation clinic for only $9. When I bought mine, I couldn't find the pump at a local store, so I ordered it on the Internet, and then found out later that the exact same pump is put out by Lansinoh (but is purple instead of green) and is sold locally.

Also, I found out later that Avent has a conversion kit you can buy so if you use Avent bottles, you can use it so you don't have to transfer the milk from the Ameda bottles to the Avent bottles every time, which is really nice. Overall, I really like this pump and hope to get a lot of use out of it. It's a good pump for the price and way cheaper than buying formula!
Posted on 9/7/09

This pump works well, and I am quite satisfied with it's function -- after 2 months of pumping, I am able to pump out 6-7 ounces of breastmilk within 15-20 minutes if I don't pump for 4-5 hours.

Pros:
1. The 2009 model is BPA-free (model # 17070).
2. Efficient pumping -- I am able to pump out 6-7 ounces of breastmilk within 15-20 minutes; 3-4 oz within 7-10 minutes.
3. Can pump both breasts at the same time (more efficient usually), or you can pump one at a time (I do this when I have my baby nurse on one side while I pump on the other).
4. You can set and control vacuum strength & cycle speed -- you have full control to set it to the level that is comfortable for you.
5. Simple to use because it has few parts, and they are easy to assemble.
6. Easy to clean the parts.
7. Can use either an AC adaptor or batteries to power it.
8. Less expensive than most other electric breast pumps -- I'm glad I didn't have to pay $200-300 for a pump.
9. Can order either Lansinoh or Ameda replacement parts from their respective websites, but only 2009 Ameda flanges and bottles are BPA-free currently.
10. Has a one-year warranty.

Cons:
1. Is not contained in a carrying case, making it somewhat noisy -- it makes a distinct noise and it beeps.

Other hints:
1. Buy a "hands-free nursing bra" or make your own with an existing no-wire bra -- this would allow you to do other tasks while you're pumping; I actually have my lunch at work while I pump.
2. Store your breastmilk in storage bottles if you plan to use it within a few days; store it in Lansinoh storage bags (very good quality bags, and they are BPA-free) if you plan to freeze it.
Posted on 9/7/09

I have used this breastpump for 2 children now. My first child I pumped exclusively for over 1 year (no formula supplementing)...so this breastpump I used ALOT. No problems at all. Around the 1 yr mark the motor died (I understood though with as much as I used it), but the customer service people replaced it anyway (although the warranty was expired). I am now using the replacement pump three years later with my second child...She is 3 months old now and no problems with the breastpump (even though it was in storage for over 3 years). This is a great breastpump and the customer service is amazing.
Posted on 9/7/09

I bought the Purely Yours after debating and researching between it and a few other pumps. While I never tried the others, I have been quite happy with the one I got! I must note that though I pump every day, it's only once a day, and I do it at home, so I don't have concerns about noise or industrial strength pumping.

The pumping: It's comfortable for me, and the adjustable suction and speed are key. It is easy to switch between single and dual pumping. If you're going for the latter, though, I strongly recommend getting a hands-free pumping bra, because it's a bit much to juggle both bottles and the dials, particularly if you are also trying to keep an eye on your baby (which I do, pumping in the morning). I do get plenty of milk with this pump.

The noise: It doesn't seem so noisy to me, but I do it at home; I might be more aware of the noise if I were pumping at work. It makes a small beeping noise with each pump in addition to the motor noise. Sometimes I put a pillow over it to muffle the sound if the babe is next to me and on the verge of sleeping.

Cleaning: It's a breeze! I fill a bowl with hot soapy water and stick the pieces in there while I do the rest of the dishes, and that does it. I have heard that the white valves are easily torn, but I haven't had any problem with that, possibly because I'm careful with them as a result of having heard about their fragility. But then again my husband never read about the fragile valves, and he's never torn one either (and yes, he does wash the pump pieces often!). The pump comes with 6 valves, and I'm still on my first two (though I've only been pumping 2 months).

Portability: This version does not come with a bag, which I don't need. It is very small and light, though, so if you do need to carry it around I don't think that would be any problem. If you're pumping away from home, I would spend the extra money and get one of the bags that is made to fit the pump and all the other pieces.

Storage: I use the Playtex One Step storage system to store the breastmilk, and I've been quite happy with that. It's no problem to use them together, the adapter fits perfectly.

Basically, this pump is great, and I plan to stick with it for future children! My only advice to others shopping for a pump would be to consider all brands. I only considered Ameda and Medela, because that's what the hospital recommended. However, I've been eyeballing other pumps since I bought mine, and it looks like others have come up with some innovations that might be worth checking out.
Posted on 9/7/09