When deciding which breast pump to invest in, consider three important factors: warranty, milk flow, and hygiene. Both brands are highly recommended and designed to offer the best experience to the baby and mother. It will help if you compare each breast pumping machine’s pros and cons to decide which would fulfill your requirements the best and then come to a suitable conclusion.
Choosing the right breast pump can be daunting, as many types and brands are available. The big question is, which one will be right for you?
Ameda and Medela brands offer single and double-electric breast pumps, battery-operated portable pumps, heavy-duty hospital-grade pumps, hands-free, and manual pumps.
These breast pumps cater to different needs and offer a pleasant pumping experience. Of course, every breastfeeding mom has concerns, and one of these is hygiene.
We will look at the pros and cons of each brand and share our unbiased opinion based on facts and the first-hand experiences of moms who have used both brands.
Let’s jump right in.
What are important factors to keep in mind?
1. Warranty
The average mom only anticipates using a breast pump for a few months at most, so the product warranty is not an immediate concern.
When faced with an issue, the warranty usually comes into play. The warranty on products is a good indication of the quality of the product and the commitment the company has toward the users of their products.
Ameda offers a two-year warranty on most of their pumps, while Medela provides a one-year warranty.
If purchased at the time of need, then the warranty offered by both brands covers the important breastfeeding period of one year, which is the yardstick for most breastfeeding moms.
2. Milk flow
Another prerequisite among moms is the ability to adjust the breast pump to complement their milk flow, which can sometimes be challenging.
Ameda pumps have more adjustable or custom settings than Medela pumps. However, Medela pumps have a “letdown” mode that promotes better milk flow.
Medela pumps have user-friendly pre-programmed settings that moms find convenient and comfortable to use.
Ameda pumps have more adjustable pump settings, which can finetune the required suction, but this can be intimidating for some first-time moms.
3. Hygiene
As far as hygiene is concerned, all Ameda pumps have a closed system which is considered more hygienic than open-system pumps such as the Medela pump range.
Medela pump accessories are widely available, some of which ensure better hygiene. There will naturally be hygiene issues that pop up when using either one of the brands.
Hygiene is something that moms who express breastmilk will be well aware of, and the cleaning and storing of breast pumps is no exception.
If proper hygiene protocols are followed, problems shouldn’t arise but always be vigilant.
Ameda Purely Yours vs. Medela Pump In Style
You can rest assured that if you opt for either an Ameda or Medela breast pump, you’re in good hands.
These two brands are reputable, and their range of pumps is designed to offer a pleasant experience that will ensure your little one continues to benefit from the goodness of mother’s milk.
We will look at two similar breast pumps from Ameda and Medela, giving you a fair idea about these two brands.
Ameda Purely Yours – Features
Some of the main features of Ameda Purely Yours are listed below.
- Lightweight design and easy to use. The motor only weighs one pound.
- Dual breast milk hygiene kit collection system.
- No DEHP chemical compound was used.
- Built-in battery pack.
- Closed system.
- FDA approved isolating of expressed milk from the outside air.
Pros
- The price is comparatively less than the Medela Pump In Style. Getting your little one all the essentials can be costly, and any cost-saving without compromising quality is a good call.
- Weighs about 3 pounds less than its counterpart. Baby bags are usually filled with all the essentials, and any weight reduction is always welcomed. However, expressing at work doesn’t require carting a heavy breast pump all over the place with you. Convenience is a more appropriate consideration here, and different situations should be considered.
Cons
- The suction tends to lessen with heavy usage.
Medela Pump In Style – Features
Some of the main features of the Medela Pump In Style are listed below:
- Available in three bag styles; tote, backpack, or Metro bag.
- Two-phase expression technology. This helps moms to express milk in less time in specific settings.
- Built-in pump for the tote and backpack
- Removable pump for the Metro bag.
- FDA approved to keep expressed milk isolated from the outside air.
Pros
- Pumping power. The pump was designed to be used several times a day and caters to moms who depend on expressing as opposed to a combination of breastfeeding and expressing.
- More thorough milk expression. Breastmilk is subject to supply meeting demand, and expressing milk frequently will increase the supply. The Medela Pump In Style supports this vital aspect of milk production.
- Due to consistent suction power, less time is spent expressing, which is a big plus for working moms who are always pressed for time.
Cons
- The extra weight might be an issue for some moms.
In this comparison test, we have detailed the effectiveness of the respective breast pumps.
Let’s face it, expressing milk using a breast pump has become an essential part of baby care in our contemporary world.
Most mothers who desperately want to continue feeding their little ones with breastmilk cannot do so because of limited maternity leave or other circumstances they have no control over.
Some moms cannot breastfeed their babies for medical reasons, even if their breastmilk is fine. This is where expressing really comes into play.
Which breast pump is the better option for you?
For most moms, attaching a breast pump and going through the mechanical suction process is cold and uninviting yet essential, so they bite the bullet and bear it.
After all, it’s all about what’s best for the health and well-being of your little one.
Choosing a breast pump is a personal decision that each mother should make. Your choice should involve unbiased comparisons that do not lead you in a particular direction.
Through the “comparison” in this article, we have highlighted some features and what we consider a few pros and cons.
This allows you to match this information with your immediate personal needs, which may change over your breastfeeding period, so you may need to think long-term.
There is no harm in doing further research and physically seeing each product to work out which one will meet most of your needs.
This is advisable as only you can make the final decision, but you can go on recommendations from a lactation specialist, maternity nursing sisters, or your baby’s pediatrician.
From a product review perspective, both the Medela Pump In Style and the Ameda Purely Yours breast pumps will be a great choice.
Both breast pumps will work for specific needs, and you are the best person to make the match.
If you express several times a day and don’t mind the extra cost, then the Medela Pump In Style will meet your needs. But if you can alternate between breastfeeding and expressing, then Ameda Purely Yours might be the better option.
Both brands will be fine if you only intend to express for night feeds or the occasional day out.
There are a number of other breast pump models under these two brand names that will cater to your specific needs, and this comparison may not apply to similar models from the two brands in question.
Conclusion
Deciding on what make and model breast pump to purchase is as difficult as deciding on what type of baby bottles to use.
It all boils down to an individual choice which is often corrected through trial and error. Most moms will attest to this, especially about baby bottles.
However, your little one will have no objections to what breast pump you use as long his or her milk supply isn’t interrupted.
Speak with other moms who express and learn about their experiences. If you get the opportunity while in the hospital, chat with the maternity staff about breast pumps and use all this gathered information to weigh in on your choice.
If you’re in a fluster and don’t want to go through the trial and error process, perhaps chatting to a lactation specialist will put you on the right track.
As stated, the Medela and Ameda brands offer reputable products, and you can rest assured that both brand models will live up to expectations.
