Ameda Breast Pumps
This is the same information as contained on our breast pump comparison pages (see left navigation bar), but with the Ameda brand grouped all together. 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. Those pumps most suitable for daily use are the Ameda Purely Yours, the Ameda Elite, and possibly the Ameda/Bailey Nurture III. Those breast pumps most appropriate for occasional use are the Ameda/Bailey Nurture III and the Ameda One-Hand and Cylinder breast pumps. The Ameda Lact-E and Ameda SMB hospital grade breast pumps are less recommended because they are single pumping, and therefore not as efficient and effective as a double pump like the Ameda Elite.
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. 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.
*Definitions in Breast Pump Glossary A - C D - L M - Z
Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump appears to be a clone to this pump with a silicone diaphragm (like Hygienikit) and the same 8 vacuum strengths and the same 4 cpm speeds. Pump instructions and images can be found at www.lansinoh.com.
- Uses 6 AA batteries
-
Vacuum adjustable to
8 settings,
80 - 240 maximum mmHg* - Cycling adjustable to 4 cycle speeds, 30 - 60 cpm*
- Car adapter and different size Ameda breast shields* and the Flexishield* available but sold separately
- HygieniKit* included
- Pump alone weighs only just over 1 lb.
- Parts to wash*: 8
- Parts to assemble*: 11
- $149 Pump only, no bag
- $199 with carry-all
-
$220 with backpack and car adapter
on Froogle
Bailey Nurture III Breast Pump
--Also distributed by Ameda
- AC only - no battery
- Double breast pumping* or single breast possible
- 4 level adjustable suction from
0 to 220 mmHg.* - Can be cycled every 2.5 to 3.5 second (17 to 24 cpm*), takes 4 seconds to reach 220 mmHg*.
- User manually controls cycling by covering and uncovering a vent with one finger.
- Replace filter every 4 to 6 weeks
- Can be used with Ameda Flexishield*
- 5 lbs.
- Car adapter available
- Parts to wash*: 8
- Parts to assemble*: 11
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
(5 years if purchased directly from Bailey) - $120 on Froogle
Ameda Elite Electric Breast Pump
- Multiple user,* purchase or rental
- AC or some models have rechargeable battery
- Car adapter optional
- Double breast pumping* or single possible
- Different size Ameda breast shields* and the Flexishield* available but sold separately
- HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
- Vacuum adjustable 0 - 250 mmHg*
- Cycling adjustable from 30 to 60 cpm*
- More possible pressure/cycling speed choices than any other pump.
- 6 lbs
- Parts to wash*: 8
- Parts to assemble*: 11
- $1000 on Froogle
Ameda (Egnell) Lact E Electric Breast Pump
- Multiple users*
- Rental or can buy pumps refurbished by factory
- Double breast pumping allowable when Double HygieniKit* used
- Different size Ameda breast shields* and the Flexishield* available but sold separately
- HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
- Vacuum adjustable 50 - 275 mmHg*
- Maintains constant 48 cpm*
- 11 lbs
- Parts to wash*: 4
- Parts to assemble*: 6
- No pumps could be found for sale on Froogle
Ameda SMB Breast Pump
- Multiple users,* rental only
- AC cord
- Double breast pumping allowable when Double HygieniKit* used
- Vacuum adjustable 50 - 275 mmHg*
- Maintains 48 cpm*
- HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
- Sixty-year old design
- Parts to wash*: 4
- Parts to assemble*: 6
- No pumps could be found for sale on Froogle
Ameda One-Hand Breast Pump
with or without Flexishield*
- Squeeze-type manual breast pump where the piston is moved by a squeeze of one hand
- Single breast pumping
- Vacuum adjusts by speed and compression of hand,
maximum 250 mmHg* - Parts to wash*: 2
- Parts to assemble*: 3
- 90 day limited warranty
- $30 on Froogle
Ameda Cylinder Hand Breast Pump
- Piston-type* manual breast pump
- Single breast pumping
- Angle of pumping is more comfortable than other piston pumps
- $35 on Froogle (only 4 found)
(If you are going to buy an Ameda manual pump, get the One-Hand instead of the Cylinder, it has vacuum adjustability and can be pumped with one hand.)
