Purely Yours Breast Pump With Carry All
- Brand: Ameda
- Nursing and Feeding Type: Breast Pumps
- Type: Nursing and Feeding
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
A Nursing Mom's Best Friend
Pros
Convenience, price, lightweight. Easy-to-use. Affordable (yup, I said price twice).
Cons
Suction/Speed dials on base are awkward.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I am thrilled with this pump. An excellent, affordable, must-have product for every nursing mom.
Nursing was an aspect of motherhood that was extremely important to me. While I was still pregnant, I asked for the Ameda pump as a Christmas present. I am thrilled with my Ameda pump.
Stay-at-home moms:
You may not think you need such a fancy, electric pump if not working, but I found that I used the pump a great deal while I stayed-at-home with my daughter. I could pump and have the freedom to go out for a couple of hours and leave my daughter with her nana, knowing that she was receiving all the nutritional benefits of breast milk. My daughter was diagnosed at 7 weeks old with a severe allergy to dairy and soy - so formula was out of the question. I also used the pump when Claire slept through a feeding, or wasn't so hungry, storing the pumped milk for a later use, or freezing it. Also, I knew that I would eventually return to work outside the home, and I wanted to be comfortable with a pump long before I had to rejoin the workforce.
Out-of-the-home moms:
When my daughter was about 7 months old, I returned to the workforce. I was fortunate enough to work in an office that was very supportive of my needing two breaks to pump. I needed a pump that was quick, efficient, and comfortable. Also, I wanted a pump that would be easy to use and easy to conceal – I didn't want to have lug around something heavy and awkward that announced my nursing to strangers. The Ameda perfectly fit my needs.
Features of the Ameda:
1. Weight & convenience. I found the Ameda pump to be reasonably lightweight. The adapter plug is rather heavy. I love the stylish, black carry-all bag (which looks more like a purse than something which stores personal equipment). The pump fits inside with plenty of room. I usually carried the cooler case separately (it looks like any lunch-case would), but it would fit inside the carry-all as well.
2. Power supply. I liked that this model could be used either with an A/C adapter plug or on battery supply (there is also an optional car adapter, but I did not purchase this). I usually used the plug, but there were plenty of times when I was traveling and had to find an impromptu place to pump where there were no outlets. I used rechargeable batteries, and found that I could do two 20-minute pumping sessions with the batteries before the suction and cycle-speed would be affected by lower power and I would then recharge the batteries.
I did not even consider purchasing a manual pump. Though considerably less expensive, I couldn't imagine the amount of effort going into pumping. I often used the Ameda to pump just one side, and the electric is so much more convenient and quick.
3. Suction and Cycle Speed. There are two small dials, one to control each. This allows the nursing mom to choose the perfect setting; making slight adjusts of the dials alters one or the other. They are easy to use and to adjust. However, the dials are located on the base unit. It is a bit difficult to adjust these when using the pump and holding the breast flanges in place; you need to hold both flanges with one hand/arm while the other makes adjustments. Awkward.
4. Breast Flanges. One comment I've read about the Ameda pump is that the flanges don't work well for women with small breasts. Though I do have small breasts, I didn't find it to be too much of a problem, though sometimes I did have trouble getting a good suction. The flanges can't go into the dishwasher, and there are narrow parts so cleaning can be tricky.
5. Hygiene. One of the big selling features for me was that the Ameda pump is completely hygienic: no milk enters the pump. Bottles attach to the flanges, and the expressed milk is directed into these bottles. This means there is a decreased chance for bacteria to build up, creating a healthier pumping environment. The Ameda system is very easy to use, and easy to keep clean.
6. Sound. The Ameda pump is not whisper-quiet. But it is quieter than a hospital grade pump. I pumped one side while nursing my daughter on the other, and the sound did not distract or bother Claire; in fact, she often fell asleep. Plus, I pump in private, so the only person to be really bothered by sound is me (and I wasn't!).
7. Single/Dual Pumping. I love the fact that I could pump both breasts at the same time, or just use one flange for one side. This was a nice convenience so that I could pump and nurse at the same time.
8. Price. One of Ameda's best features! I found my Ameda pump on-line for about $130. This is a savings of at least $75 over the Medela Pump. And a better deal than if you are thinking of renting a pump (if you are planning on nursing past six months; I used my pump until my daughter turned 14 months old).
9. Durability. To be honest, the Ameda pump does look and feel a little plastic-y and cheap. However, I have lugged my pump on three cross-country airplane trips, many family trips, and back and forth to the office for 9 months. And all parts are in perfect working order (knock on wood!). And the carry-all has held up, looking as good as the day I opened the box.
Stay-at-home moms:
You may not think you need such a fancy, electric pump if not working, but I found that I used the pump a great deal while I stayed-at-home with my daughter. I could pump and have the freedom to go out for a couple of hours and leave my daughter with her nana, knowing that she was receiving all the nutritional benefits of breast milk. My daughter was diagnosed at 7 weeks old with a severe allergy to dairy and soy - so formula was out of the question. I also used the pump when Claire slept through a feeding, or wasn't so hungry, storing the pumped milk for a later use, or freezing it. Also, I knew that I would eventually return to work outside the home, and I wanted to be comfortable with a pump long before I had to rejoin the workforce.
Out-of-the-home moms:
When my daughter was about 7 months old, I returned to the workforce. I was fortunate enough to work in an office that was very supportive of my needing two breaks to pump. I needed a pump that was quick, efficient, and comfortable. Also, I wanted a pump that would be easy to use and easy to conceal – I didn't want to have lug around something heavy and awkward that announced my nursing to strangers. The Ameda perfectly fit my needs.
Features of the Ameda:
1. Weight & convenience. I found the Ameda pump to be reasonably lightweight. The adapter plug is rather heavy. I love the stylish, black carry-all bag (which looks more like a purse than something which stores personal equipment). The pump fits inside with plenty of room. I usually carried the cooler case separately (it looks like any lunch-case would), but it would fit inside the carry-all as well.
2. Power supply. I liked that this model could be used either with an A/C adapter plug or on battery supply (there is also an optional car adapter, but I did not purchase this). I usually used the plug, but there were plenty of times when I was traveling and had to find an impromptu place to pump where there were no outlets. I used rechargeable batteries, and found that I could do two 20-minute pumping sessions with the batteries before the suction and cycle-speed would be affected by lower power and I would then recharge the batteries.
I did not even consider purchasing a manual pump. Though considerably less expensive, I couldn't imagine the amount of effort going into pumping. I often used the Ameda to pump just one side, and the electric is so much more convenient and quick.
3. Suction and Cycle Speed. There are two small dials, one to control each. This allows the nursing mom to choose the perfect setting; making slight adjusts of the dials alters one or the other. They are easy to use and to adjust. However, the dials are located on the base unit. It is a bit difficult to adjust these when using the pump and holding the breast flanges in place; you need to hold both flanges with one hand/arm while the other makes adjustments. Awkward.
4. Breast Flanges. One comment I've read about the Ameda pump is that the flanges don't work well for women with small breasts. Though I do have small breasts, I didn't find it to be too much of a problem, though sometimes I did have trouble getting a good suction. The flanges can't go into the dishwasher, and there are narrow parts so cleaning can be tricky.
5. Hygiene. One of the big selling features for me was that the Ameda pump is completely hygienic: no milk enters the pump. Bottles attach to the flanges, and the expressed milk is directed into these bottles. This means there is a decreased chance for bacteria to build up, creating a healthier pumping environment. The Ameda system is very easy to use, and easy to keep clean.
6. Sound. The Ameda pump is not whisper-quiet. But it is quieter than a hospital grade pump. I pumped one side while nursing my daughter on the other, and the sound did not distract or bother Claire; in fact, she often fell asleep. Plus, I pump in private, so the only person to be really bothered by sound is me (and I wasn't!).
7. Single/Dual Pumping. I love the fact that I could pump both breasts at the same time, or just use one flange for one side. This was a nice convenience so that I could pump and nurse at the same time.
8. Price. One of Ameda's best features! I found my Ameda pump on-line for about $130. This is a savings of at least $75 over the Medela Pump. And a better deal than if you are thinking of renting a pump (if you are planning on nursing past six months; I used my pump until my daughter turned 14 months old).
9. Durability. To be honest, the Ameda pump does look and feel a little plastic-y and cheap. However, I have lugged my pump on three cross-country airplane trips, many family trips, and back and forth to the office for 9 months. And all parts are in perfect working order (knock on wood!). And the carry-all has held up, looking as good as the day I opened the box.
