Ameda Breast Pump Reviews: What’s The Best Ameda Pump For You?

Ameda is one of the oldest manufacturers of breast pumps – and with good reason. In this guide, we’ll answer some common questions about Ameda’s products, then take a look at several of their top products to help you decide which pump (if any) to try.

Ameda Breast Pump FAQs

Here are the most common questions people have about these products.

How Do I Use An Ameda Breast Pump?

Begin by setting the suction to the highest comfortable level. Do not keep the suction at a level that bothers you. From there, start your pumping section at the highest speed. This encourages your let down (the release of milk), mimicking the strong suction of a baby. From there, the speed should be slowly adjusted to about half its maximum strength. When your milk flow starts to slow, increase the speed again to try and encourage another let down. This follows the typical suckling pattern of babies and promotes maximum production. From there, repeat the process until you’re finished.

How Do I Clean Ameda Breast Pumps, Parts, And Tubing?

Before the first use, follow the instructions in your pump’s manual to clean and sanitize the parts. For most products, the diaphragms, flanges, valves, storage bottles, locking rings, and discs should be boiled for 20 minutes without being allowed to touch the bottom of the pan. From then, they should be air dried on a clean surface. After use, the valves, flanges, bottles, locking rings, and discs can be cleaned with warm soapy water. Do not use steam sterilizers, and make sure to be gentle with the parts. The tubes do not need to be cleaned or sanitized.

What’s The Best Way To Dry And Store Ameda Breast Pumps And Parts?

Parts should be dried on a soft, clean surface. Do not stack parts on top of each other.

Can You Boil Ameda Breast Pump Parts?

As noted in the cleaning section, several parts should be boiled before their first use. Do not boil any parts after the initial sanitizing.

Can I Travel On Planes With Ameda Breast Pumps?

Yes. You can travel on any plane with your breast pump(s), and you can even take more than 3 ounces of milk with you. However, you should declare the items at the security checkpoints, and airlines recommend that you don’t pump or carry any more than you need during a flight. Remember, turbulence can knock things loose or cause spills.

Do You Use The Same Ameda Bottles For Manual And Electric Ameda Breast Pumps?

Yes. Ameda uses 4-oz bottles for all of its pumps, and they include universal threads to make them compatible with most pumping kits. Extra bottles are available.

What’s The Difference Between Ameda’s Manual And Electric Pumps?

As with most manufacturers, the electric pumps are easier to use and have a variety of controls to make pumping easier and more effective. Ameda eschews fancy readouts in favor of simple and easy-to-adjust controls.

Can You Change The Breast Shields?

Yes. Ameda sells a variety of different breast shields – and replacements – to help ensure the best fit.

What Are The Prices For Ameda Breast Pumps?

Prices vary widely, but note that insurance often covers either the purchase or rental of a pump, so you may be able to get an Ameda pump at no cost to yourself. Check with your insurance provider for more information.

The Best Ameda Breast Pumps

Here are the best products Ameda currently offers.

​Ameda Finesse Double Electric

Ameda Finesse Hospital Technology Electric Breast Pump with Tote, True...

• CONVENIENT AND EASY: The lightweight and portable Finesse Double Electric Breast Pump features adjustable speed and...
• SAMPLE OUR WARES: The Ameda Finesse Breast Pump also comes with sample packs of our NoShow Premium Disposable Nursing...
• SUPPORT FOR YOUR PUMPING: As part of our mission to empower you achieve your breastfeeding goals, we provide a wide...

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• Lightweight and portable
• FDA-cleared barrier
• Can be used with plug or batteries

As Ameda’s main electric product, the Ameda Finesse offers a blend of simplicity and usefulness. Rather than complicating things with screens and controls, it simply offers two dials to manage the strength and speed of suction. This is more than many pumps offer. Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks with this system. Users have reported issues like needing to press the pumps against the body for an entire session, only being allowed to double pump, and in one case, having so much trouble that they needed to take antibiotics. Ultimately, this isn’t a very popular product, and it’s a pretty big risk at the price Ameda is asking.

Ameda Purely Yours Ultra

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• Improved version of the normal
• Airlock protection
• Controls for suction and speed

A superior version of the Ameda Purely Yours (below), the Purely Yours Ultra is… better in ways the company doesn’t do much to describe. The main difference between the two versions is that the Purely Yours Ultra is sturdier and comes with a few more accessories to customize it. Unfortunately, this pump can only be called average. There are far too many reports of weak suction and easily-damaged parts, making this product a poor choice for most mothers.

Ameda Manual Breast Pump

Ameda One Hand Breast Pump - BPA Free

• This ergonomic and compact manual pump earned the High Design-Innovation Quality from Design Zentum Nordrhein-Westfalen...
• No need for batteries or an electrical outlet
• Pump one breast while your baby nurses on the other

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• Allows pumping with one hand
• Compatible bottles and freezer bags
• Easy control of speed and strength

Ameda’s Manual Breast Pump is another average product. The suction level is fine, it’s easy to clean, and it’s simple to put together. Unfortunately, some of the parts on this pump are made of cheap plastic, and it’s easy for them to break after a single fall. Worse, the top-heavy nature of the pump means it probably will fall sooner or later. If there’s one upside, it’s that this pump is cheap enough to replace on a regular basis. Even so, there are better manual pumps in the same price range, so it’s hard to recommend something that frustrates so many users.

Ameda Platinum (Hospital Grade)

Ameda Platinum Breast Pump with Grounded Power Cord

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• Speed, suction, and timer controls
• Extremely durable
• Provides indicators if service is needed

Ameda’s most expensive product is – to nobody’s surprise – also its best. The Ameda Platinum is a genuinely good product, designed to establish and maintain milk production for preterm and normal infants. Unlike Ameda’s other products, this machine adds a timer so you can pre-determine when to stop pumping. There’s only one flaw with this pump – the price. If you want the best product money can buy, this is a strong contender (and a bit of a surprise, given the average-at-best quality of most of Ameda’s line). However, most people will only be able to rent this through their insurance, so don’t expect to have it long-term.

Tips For Choosing The Best Ameda Breast Pump For You

For normal pumps, the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra is clearly the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, “best” is relative – there are better pumps from other manufacturers in a similar price range. Ameda’s Manual and Finesse pumps are average at best, while the non-Ultra version of the Purely Yours should be avoided at all costs. If you’re able to buy or rent Ameda’s hospital grade pumps, the Platinum is easily the best choice. It’s outright better than most pumps on the market, making it a worthy choice if you have access to it.

Which Ameda Pump Is The Best?

As mentioned in our reviews, the Ameda Platinum (a hospital grade pump that, unfortunately, is rarely available elsewhere) is the best of the lot.

Public Perception

Most people consider Ameda an average company at best. Positive statements include praise for the flexibility of its controls, the amount of milk that can be pumped, and the instructions given to maximize milk production. Negative comments cite cheap parts on some of the models and a need to regularly exchange the pump. That’s not a big deal for most products, but when you need to pump milk to feed your child, it’s a serious issue. It’s worth noting that there are far fewer complaints about Ameda’s two hospital grade pumps – those are genuinely better products than the rest of their line.

How It Compares

Aside from its hospital grade pumps, Ameda is generally inferior to competitors like Medela and Spectra. You can usually get a better pump at a lower price – which does impact the pumps your insurance covers – making it hard to recommend this brand.

Other Ameda Products To Buy

Aside from its pumps, Ameda has several other products worth considering.

Ameda Cool’N Carry Tote

Ameda Mya Cool N Carry Breast Milk Storage System | Includes Insulated...

• On-the-go storage and cooling of mothers' milk
• 3 cooling elements keep mothers' milk cool for up to 10 hours
• Integrated handle for easy carrying; Discreet appearance

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If you need to pump on the go – or just carry milk outside your house – this insulated tote is a must. It holds up to six of Ameda’s 4 oz bottles, as well as three freezer packs. The exterior is black and discreet, so it won’t draw attention in most situations.

Ameda Store’N Pour Breast Milk Storage Bags

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If you prefer bags to bottles for storage, Ameda has you covered. Notably, these one-use bags come with a special pour spout to reduce loss. The 20-count boxes are the most cost-effective.

Ameda Breast Pump Accessory Kit

This kit includes 20 bags, 10 disposable nursing pads, 2 flange adapters, 4 bottles, a reference guide, and a page of breast milk storage guidelines. It’s an excellent choice if you want to have a little more storage, with a few freezer bags of milk just in case.

Ameda Breast Milk Storage Bottles

Ameda Breastmilk Storage Bottles with Lock-Tight Cap, 4.4 Ounce Milk...

• EXTRA STORAGE - The Ameda Breast Milk Storage Bottles can be used to safely store expressed milk in the fridge or...
• EASY CLEAN - These easy-to-use bottles come with 2-piece lock-tight bottle caps to protect your milk during storage. The...
• SUPPORT FOR YOUR PUMPING - As part of our mission to empower you achieve your breastfeeding goals, we provide a wide...

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Most Ameda pumps only come with two bottles – out of a minimum of six you’ll need if you plan to regularly bottle-feed your child. Fortunately, Ameda sells a 4-pack of bottles to make up the difference.

Conclusion

Overall, Ameda is an average company most of the time. Its hospital grade pumps are genuinely good products – and worth renting if you have the choice – but if you want to keep a pump in your home, it’s better to consider your other options first.