Breast Pump Comparisons

Ameda Breast Pumps

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Ameda breast pumps (also known as Ameda Hollister) have been around longer than any other brand of breast pumps, with the oldest breast pump design harking back sixty years. The Ameda brand is found in some 94% of hospitals in the UK. Those Ameda pumps most suitable for for the working mother who needs to pump several times daily are the Ameda Purely Yours, the Ameda Elite, and possibly the Ameda/Bailey Nurture III. Those breast pumps most appropriate for intermittent use are the Ameda/Bailey Nurture III and the Ameda One-Hand breast pumps.

The HygieniKit is a feature that is part of every Ameda electric breast pump except the Nurture III. It is a milk collection system that includes a special silicone diaphragm filter. This filter works two ways, protecting the pump motor from getting contaminants in it and protecting the milk collection bottles from receiving contaminants from the motor. The milk collection bottles can actually be turned upside down and the milk will not go into the tubing or the motor. This extra amount of protection is especially desirable for premature or sick infants, or by any mother desiring extra care in the cleanliness of the collection of her milk, for instance, in a work situation with poor air quality. Ameda provides information on how their "Proven Airlock System" is especially beneficial in the NICU. The use of the Hygienikit does not negate Ameda's recommendation that all their pumps (except the hospital rental pumps) be single user, even though the Hygienikit is part of the individual user kit for rental breast pumps. The FDA has validated Ameda's claims about the two-way protection the Hygienikit gives. Some retailers have used this statement to imply that the Ameda breast pumps have received FDA endorsement, but we believe that is a bit of a stretch.

The Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump    is a pump comparable to the Medela Pump in Style. It is suitable for the working mom and comes with many of the accessories such as a stylish carryall or backpack with a separate insulated bag with cold packs for expressed milk storage. It can be purchased for a lower price without the fancy extras if you want just the pump and can provide your own bag. Depending on the extras one gets, expect to pay between $150 and $300 (USD).

The Ameda Elite Electric Breast Pump is a serious hospital grade pump that retails around $1000 (USD). It can be rented from many locations or purchased. Speed (30 to 60 cycles per minute) and vacuum strength (0 to 250 mmHg) are adjustable within the same range of competing high quality pumps, but without the limitation of fixed increments on its control dials. The Ameda (Egnell) Lact E Electric and the Ameda SMB Breast Pump are also hospital quality rental pumps but of an older design. The latter has the highest vacuum strength to be found on the market perhaps at 275 mmHg although with the limitation of a fixed speed of 48 cycles per minute.

The Ameda One-Hand Breast Pump is a manual breast pump that is manipulated by squeezing with one hand. The maximum suction strength possible is 250 mmHg and has only 3 parts to assemble it not counting the bottle. It can be purchased for around $30. It can be used with the Flexisheld flange insert.

*Definitions in our Breast Pump Glossary.

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