Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump With Carry All: Recommended By My Lactation Consultant!

I started looking into getting a breast pump even before my son was born. I knew I wanted to have the option of having extra milk around in case I wasn't able to breastfeed. Everyone kept raving about the Medela Pump n Style. After seeing the price tag on that baby, I was in shock. Almost $300 for a breast pump? Are you kidding me? I desperately searched around for an alternative, but everyone kept telling me to get the Medela because nothing was better. Finally someone mentioned that my hospital sold an excellent pump for $185. I went and checked it out, but having no experience with a breast pump, I wasn't really sure if it was good. After speaking with a lactation consultant who assured me it was excellent and every bit as good as the more expensive pumps, I purchased the Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump with Carry All.

About the Product
The Purely Yours Breast Pump comes with the pump (obviously) that has 2 built in bottle holders. After pumping you can place the bottles in the holders while you put yourself back together to reduce spilling. You can run the pump on electricity or on batteries. It works with 2 AA batteries. Also, included are 6 bottles with lids and an insulated bag where you can place your pumped milk if you are on the go. This model comes with a black bag that you can use to transport the pump if you need to take it with you to work or wherever.

Price
As I mentioned, I was thrilled to save so much money on a breast pump. I thought for sure I was going to be stuck paying for the expensive Medela pump. For only $185, I got an excellent quality pump that comes highly recommended by my hospital and lactation consultant. Amazon.com currently has this pump in stock for $185 marked down from $249.

My Experience
I knew I wanted to have the option to pump milk from the beginning so even before Noah was born, I was researching breast pumps. Good thing I did because I needed it almost immediately. Noah had some serious problems latching on and then when he was only 3 days old, he ended up having to be checked into the hospital for jaundice. My nipples were pretty beat up so the nurses suggested I pump to allow myself to heal.

Setting the pump up for the first time was very simple. It takes a minute or two to assemble all the pieces the very first time, but after that initial time, I can do it in seconds. The pump is a double pump and that's way I primarily use it, although I have used it for just one breast a couple of times. You just detach the side you don't need from the pump and put a small plug in the opening. Very easy.

I had great success from the first time I used it. To turn it on and begin the pumping action, you turn the dial to select the intensity of the pump. I have used it at all settings. The highest setting is a very strong suction and is a little uncomfortable for me. I usually stay a little above the middle range. Once I have selected the strength of the suction, I turn a dial to select the speed. Very very simple.

The machine isn't perfectly quiet, but not super loud. It makes a weird humming/pumping type noise. I have used the pump with my baby asleep in the same room and it wasn't so loud that noise woke him up or anything.

As for efficiency, I think the Ameda Purely Yours does an excellent job. I usually only spend 10-15 minutes pumping. Depending on how full I am, I have gotten up to 6 oz. of milk pumped in this amount of time. It definitely is quit and easy. When I am finished, I detach the collection bottles and put lids on and stick them in the fridge for later. So easy.

Clean up is easy too. I wash everything by hand with warm soapy water. It's quick and easy. I have also boiled the parts on my stove and the pump has handled that just fine.

I have yet to take my pump with me anywhere as I am still on leave from my job. But if I wanted to, the bag is black and pretty stylish for a breast pump bag. It's black and will not announce to the world that you are toting around a breast pump. If you do take this pump to work, the bag is discreet and sophisticated.

Ameda makes other breast pumps as well if $185 is still a little too steep. They sell the breast pump without the bag that is around $40 cheaper. You can also step it up and purchase this same pump that comes with a backpack and a way to adjust the pump from an electric to a manual.

Final Thoughts
I had never heard of the Ameda pumps before. All I knew was Medela. I'm very glad this brandw as introduced to me. It's an excellent high quality breast pump. So if you are looking for a pump and are hesitant to plop down a ton of money for the Medela, check out the Ameda Purely Yours. It's great and costs less!