Comparing Breast Pumps

Updated on April 01, 2009
M.T. asks from Fort Worth, TX
26 answers

I had a Medela with my second daughter and loved it. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of letting a friend of my sister use it and I never got it back. But even if I had gotten it back, the thought of using it after someone else nauseates me! So now I'm expecting baby girl #3 in about 7 weeks and I'm looking in to purchasing a new pump. Like I said, I've used the Medela Pump In Style and loved it, but that was 7 years ago. I've been looking at the different brands and was wondering if any of you out there have used the Ameda Purely Yours pump. From what I've read, it's the only pump approved by the FDA to protect the purity of expressed milk. And it's even a tad cheaper than a Medela. I just wanted to hear the thoughts of anyone out there who has used the Ameda pump. Thanks!!!

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A.M.

answers from Wichita Falls on

I loved the Ameda pump. Because of the way it is made, there is no chance of the milk getting into the pumping unit and all of the parts can be sterilized as you desire. You can also pump either into a bottle that is provided or into a bag. Congratulations on baby # 3.
A.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, the Ameda is a reputable brand with a good record. They also make a pump for Lasinoh that costs a little less, but it's still the same pump. You might want to comparison shop that one as well.

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E.H.

answers from Dallas on

I used the ameda pump with both of my kids. The same pump both times. I used it for a year each time. I also let a friend use it. The lactation person I bought it from says there is no way to contaminate the pump b/c it can't suck the milk backwards into the pump. This is also the type they use at Cooks Childrens FTW. I hope this helps you.

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

M., get your breast pump back all the plastic pieces that touch any milk are all replaceable and much cheaper than buying a new pump (I think it's $60 for the whole dual set). Good luck!

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R.H.

answers from Dallas on

I did check and Medela uses all Bis-A free parts and storage bottles. I would check and make sure all plastics used in the Ameda are Bis-A free too.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

AMEDA PURELY YOURS!!!! Yes ! That's what I used with #1, and that's what I'm using this time. www.healthchecksystems.com has the best price and no shipping. It also will compare the Medela and Ameda so you can see that they're almost exact. Ameda's motor weighs 1 lb (as opposed to Medela's 7 lb), and it's so much smaller, discreet and it's not as noisy. It runs off of 6 AA batteries if I'm not mistaken. I breastfed for 1 year, and I changed the batteries only one time! I highly recommend it!

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

Girl! Get your pump back and just replace all the plastic pieces! It's much cheaper than replacing the whole thing. If you're still not comfortable w/that, then my vote is for the Medela - I've got the back pack version and have been using it since December w/great results. Congrats and best of luck - and I love the names of your girls - especially Ashyln!

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J.W.

answers from Dallas on

Another option is to obtain your old pump from your friend and replace the tubes and bottles.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

I used the Ameda with my first baby, and am holding on to use it with the next one. My husband actually picked it out, and the thing he liked most was that the milk never touches any part of the pump that can't be easily and inexpensively replaced (so you can hand it down to someone else without having to worry about all the hygiene issues). It was a little noisy, but I have no idea how it compares to the Medela in that regard since I only ever used the Ameda (or a hand pump).

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R.Y.

answers from Dallas on

I used a Purely Yours through two kids and I loved it! It was a bit cheaper, but that had nothing to do with the quality. It worked great. I loved the fact that you could dial both the cycle and the suction (it's not just low, medium, high). I think it's also a little quieter than the Medela pump, which was nice at work. Good luck!

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B.S.

answers from Dallas on

I have a friend who LOVED this pump. She used it at work and found it easy to clean. And you're right, it is a closed pump, so it could actually be used by more than one person. I use the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. This one has a 2 phase expression (fast for 2 minutes than long pumps). I really use this feature, so that is why I decided to go with the Medela. I am pretty certain that the Ameda doesn't have that feature. If you liked the old PIS that just had one setting, then you will probably like the Ameda just fine!

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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

I used the medela with my first three kids and after it broke I used the Ameda purely yours for the last three kids. Both work equally well....just different. I would say I prefer the medela but that could just be that I was used to it so many years and the Ameda really did just as good of a job, it just functions differently. Can't go wrong with either one.

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S.G.

answers from Dallas on

I think the Ameda may be a repackaged Medela pump, but I'm not sure.

I'm not familiar with the Ameda pump, but love my Lansinoh pump. I've been using it 2-3 times a day for a few months now and it's almost half the cost of the Medela

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hi! I TOTALLY get where you're coming from regarding it being gross to use after someone else has used it. However, the only parts of the equipment that are exposed to breast milk are the tubing, which can easily be replaced, and the breastshield and bottles themselves, all of which can be sterilized. You can purchase extra accessories in most places that sell the pump or go on-line. My Medela made it through both my daughters who are 5 years apart, plus my 3 nieces and 1 nephew in between. AND, I used it to pump for over a year for each of my daughters! I can't speak on any other pumps, but I wouldn't even consider getting any other brand. I hope this is helpful!

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Medela, medela, medela :) That's what our lactation consultants suggested and that's what they use at the hospitals.

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

I bought the Ameda based on the recommendation of our lactation consultant and was very happy with it. I pumped occasionally at first and then pumped exclusively for 3 months and had no problems. The way I understand it is that Medela is more prominent in the US and Ameda is more prominent in Europe but they are very comparable in quality. I bought the Ameda because of the LC's recommendation and the price. I don't think you can go wrong either way. My LC sellls replacement parts if you need any - Wendy Blumberg in Plano ###-###-####. Congratulations!

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N.J.

answers from Dallas on

I have Ameda Purely Yours and love it- the backpack/pump. I bring it to work and pump there. Easy- light- easy to clean.

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K.F.

answers from Dallas on

I had almost the exact same situation - loaned out my Medela PIS and didn't get it back. I got the Ameda the 2nd time around and loved it. Good luck!

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T.B.

answers from Dallas on

First Years Dual Pump. It cost around $70 at target. It allows you to pump both sides at the same time with one hand. It is also more stable than the single handed pumps. I have also used Even Flow & Medela (both of which the pump died after about 4 months)...who wants to spend a lot of money on a pump that will die in several months.

You can see a picture here.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Natural-Comfort-Deluxe/...

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

My sister tried a Purely Yours and Medela. She says she prefers the Medela. There are new styles of it now that are lighter and look like purses or backpacks instead of the bulking heavy black bag. Try looking on ebay for affordables ones of the new styles. Remember to check the seller rating and avoid items that require cash, check, or money wires only. I always use PayPal in case there are any problems. Good luck.

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K.W.

answers from Dallas on

I am a lactation consultant and own The Nestingplace. Many times I have compared pumps even using a medela on one breast and the ameda on the other. There is no contamination on either pump in the milk. Both systems the milk goes thru the tubing into the bottle or bag. The variety of suction (rate and frequency) is more limited with the Ameda. Now I sell only Medela (so that may skew my fairness), but I only sell medela because I think it is better on several things. The motor holds up better. The connector to electricity gets loose on the ameda sometimes. I have actually gotten better milk let down with the medela several times, the Medela has a large range of shields for different sized nipples.
Now the Medela has a pump that sits on your hip and you put on a charger to be able to pump up to 3 hours so there is no electric cord at all.
I try to keep my prices competitive with Target or cheaper and if your dr gives me a prescription, tax free. I hope this is helpful.
K.

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S.F.

answers from Dallas on

I used a Ameda Purely Yours pump for my 2 kiddos. I wanted the Medela, but it was way over my budget. The Ameda was perfect! I went back to work when each of my children turned 3 months old and I pumped at work as well. My Ameda pump came with a carry bag so it was really convenient and very easy to use.

I felt the same way about using someone else's pump or even loaning mine out - BUT, you can always buy new replacement pieces like breast cups, tubing, etc and it would be just like new. The only 'used' part would be the actual machine/pump.

I read great things about my Ameda pump before buying it and after using it with 2 kiddos (1st one nursed for 8 months and the 2nd nursed for 7 months) I HIGHLY recommend it. You definitely cannot beat the price!

B.H.

answers from Dallas on

I have an Ameda purely yours, and it worked as well or better than the Medella one that we had rented. It doesn't allow any milk into the tubes, which is why it is approved by the FDA for multiple users. You can buy the pump used and simply buy an NEW set of bottles and nipple cups. I would be willing to sell mine. Feel free to contact me off list. ____@____.com

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T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I LOVE the Medela Pump in Style, but I haven't used any others. If you get the Ameda, it's worth it to get the travel bag for it.
My baby had latching problems so I pumped from day 1 until she was 10 weeks old when she finally and miraculously learned to breastfeed. Now I only pump when I'm at work. I feel that device is worth it's weight in gold and I have used it so much---in those first 10 weeks pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock. No problems whatsoever.
I will say that I am also a breast milk donor for a milk bank, and the Ameda is the brand they give out to donors to pump so I'm sure it's really good as well! Good luck!

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M..
Congratulations on baby #3!

I have been using the Ameda Purely Yours and it has worked perfectly fine. I don't have anything to compare it to (it's the only one I have ever used), but I have had no problems. Also, it is easy cleanup. My daughter is 8 months old, and I am still going strong and so is my pump. I would highly recommend it based on the price difference and the fact that it works well.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

http://www.hackleyhme.com/shop.php
This is the only place that i know of that offers Medela at a discount, up to $50 off.
I bought mine here.

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