What is the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump?
Ameda has been a trusted brand for quite some time. It was started over 80 years ago by a Swedish engineer named Einar Egnell whose life work was dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers. It took him years to create the first comfortable and effective breast pump and he is also responsible for creating the vacuum and cycling standards that today’s lactation professionals use to judge breast pump quality.
Ameda has held onto Egnell’s standards and continues to provide mothers with innovative breast pump options.
The Ameda Purely Yours Ultra pump seems to reflect some of that. This is a decent pump at a great price. It is lightweight, has multiple breast shield sizes for a more personal fit, and comes with a not-so-unattractive tote bag.
Another big win for Ameda with this pump is that it is a Closed System pump. This means there is a barrier between the milk collection kit and the tubes that lead to the pump motor. A closed system pump is easier to sanitize and eliminates the risk of mold growth from any moisture that may seep into the tubing or motor.
Despite some positive features, Ameda Purely Yours reviews are mixed. I like a lot of what this pump has to offer but I am not sure performance wise it is the best on the market. For a mom that wants a good pump to use on occasion for a low price, then this might be a good option.
Key Features of the Ameda Purely Yours
Separate speed and suction settings to increase milk flow and comfort.
- The Purely Yours Ultra features 3 of the most commonly-needed breast flange sizes. Ameda’s CustomFit Flange SystemTM makes it easy to find a good breast flange fit by offering seven breast flange sizes.
- The Purely Yours Ultra comes with a stylish, faux leather tote bag and a Cool ‘N Carry Tote.
- Three power sources; AC adapter (included), 6 AA batteries (not included) and car adapter (included).
- Closed System Pump – Helps protect breast milk from bacteria, mold, and viruses with proven airlock protection while pumping
- Includes dual Hygienikit milk collection system
- BPA-free
- Lightweight and portable
What you get in the Box:
- Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump
- Dual HygieniKit Milk Collection System
- Ultra Tote
- Cool’N Carry Tote
- CustomFit Flanges
- AC Power Adapter
- Car Adapter
- 2 – Extra Valves (for HygieniKit)
- Accessory Bag (for Parts)
- 6 – Milk Storage Bottles
- Ice Pack
One great feature of the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra is that it comes with three power source options – AC adapter, battery, and car adapter. That makes this a very portable pump! You could use this pump anywhere and with it being so lightweight, it is not a pain to carry around.
The CustomFit Flange options stand out to me as well. Most breast pumps come with one size of the flange (or breast shield). As we all know, no one’s body is exactly the same, so only one size flange is not that helpful. This pump comes with THREE sizes and there are also four more that you can purchase separately. I think that will help most moms find a perfect fit for their body. Great feature!
The Ameda Purely Yours Ultra does have a lot of different parts to it, though. There are the collection bottles, flanges, diaphragm and connector pieces, tubing, etc. It is a lot to carry and a lot to clean. You could carry the collection kits assembled to help speed up the process when you are ready to pump which I would recommend.
But, on the plus side, being a closed system pump, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the tubing and the small parts are easy to clean and dry.
One common complaint I have read from other pumping moms is that the suction and speed dials to control the pumping strength are cumbersome to get right. They are more of a flimsy dial and not a digital control. There are no digital control features like expression mode or the ability to save your preferred pump settings like in the Spectra pumps. This means that you need to control the pump settings manually to achieve the most of your letdown.
(Related: Learn how to maximize your Letdown and Pump more milk!)
Here is a great video that shows the features of the Ameda Purely Yours. It gives you a complete rundown!
My Experience Using the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra
The Ameda Purely Yours was the pump that my Insurance carrier offered as the pump covered by my plan. So basically I got it for free from them. It was not a pump that was on my radar because I had read some mixed reviews about it.
Basically, reviewers either loved the Amdea or were frustrated by it. After using this pump for some time, here’s what I have concluded. First, the Ameda Purely Yours is a good pump but there are some things about it that are left to be desired and second, this pump is not for everyone.
Some things I do like about the Ameda Purely Yours
The suction is good BUT you have to know how to use this pump to get the most of your letdown (read this article for more on how to do that). Once you figure out where your body is comfortable with the settings, you will be good to go.
Lightweight
This is a relatively small pump that is lightweight and easy to carry around. It comes with a cute-ish tote bag (looks like a little cooler to me, to be honest). I would say it is a good on-the-go pump but it does not have a battery option so it must be used plugged-in or in the car.
The Milk bottle holders built into the pump
I don’t know why I love this feature so much but the Ameda Purely Yours has grooves that you can pop the milk bottles into to hold them in place like a cup holder. I love this. Probably because I turn into a complete butterfingers when full bottles of breast milk are concerned so it is nice to have a safe spot to put them so I don’t spill them.
Does the Job
While I don’t think this pump pulled down more milk than my Spectra, Medela, or Milk Genie, I do think it does a pretty good job. I was not expecting it to keep pace. I was able to pump just fine using it.
Thing I DON’T like about the Purely Yours
Not the Most Comfortable
I do not have sensitive nipples and I don’t ever really find pumping uncomfortable but I didn’t love the way the Ameda Purely Yours felt when I pumped. I was definitely not the most comfortable pump I have used. I would not recommend this pump for moms who have very sensitive nipples.
Noise
One of the features of the Ameda Purely Yours is that the pump motor is quiet… I disagree. It is quite loud. Not as loud as my Medela Pump in Style but it’s right up there.
Manual Controls
I touched on this above a bit but I don’t love the dials on this pump. I really have to crank them to achieve the desired settings to massage and then express milk. A digital pump is much easier to use, especially for beginners who don’t quite understand how to properly use their pump.
Ina Nutshell: Pros and Cons of Ameda Purely Yours Ultra
Cons:
- Noisy Pump
- A lot of parts
- Not the most comfortable pump
- Suction and Speed dials can be hard to set
Pros:
- Closed system pump
- Great price
- Customizable breast shields
- Different power options
- Good sized tote that carried pump and cooler
- Pump is small and lightweight
- Gets the job done
Bottom Line
I have to admit that I ended up liking more about the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra than I thought I would. I had heard not so great things about this pump but after using it, I do think this is a decent pump.
It has some nice accessories and is a closed system pump and the strength is okay, which is a plus.
If you need a good double electric pump at a decent price and don’t plan to pump daily, then this is a great option. But if you are planning to pump multiple times per day, I would shell out the money for a better pump.
I would recommend the Medela Freestyle, Medela Pump in Style or even the Spectra S1 for someone who will be doing a lot of pumping. But the Ameda is something to consider if you want an affordable, smaller-size pump, with some good strength.
Have you used the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra breast pump? Share your thoughts or questions here by leaving a comment!
(Related: How to Sanitize your Ameda Purely Yours pump!)
Click here to see where you can buy the Ameda Purely Yours!
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