Ameda pump sucks

jrw526

Or rather it doesn't suck

I got an Ameda purely yours through my insurance and I'm getting very little output, maybe 1-2 oz per breast. When I use my Medela PISA that I used with DS I get twice that.

Any suggestions for troubleshooting what I'm doing wrong? I just don't feel like the suction is strong enough.

Also, on a few occasions the suction part has just stopped in the middle of a session and it makes a weird high pitched sound. I'm going to call customer service to see if they will replace. Just wondering of anyone else had the same problem.

stephcrosby09

I also got the Ameda Purely Yours from insurance and don't seem to have any problems with it, but have nothing to compare it to since I am a FTM. I would call, maybe they will send you a new PISA

memo9

Mine works well too.  I've gotten up to 12oz in a session.  Sounds like you got a dud!

rockopera

I hate mine. Same problems. Since I don't know how long I plan on pumping, I haven't spent the money on a PISA yet. I switched to a Medela hand pump and it does a better job.

I've heard that a bunch of people have problems. And when Ameda cranked up production for ACA, quality went down.

memo9

MadApple said:

I used an Ameda Purely Yours with y son, and I had no problems. I'm using a PISA this time, and like it better, but I don't think I'm getting more than I did with the Ameda.

With my Ameda, I tried to mimic the two-phase pumping that the Medelas use. Have you tried that?

Good question... how do you actually pump?

jrw526

I start on medium suction and fast speed and if I can get a letdown, I switch to max suction and medium speed. Even max suction doesn't feel like enough. I've tried different flange sizes and replaced the membranes but it hasn't helped.

I did call customer service and they are sending me a new pump. I hope I just got a dud.

natsmama

I'm so glad it's not just me! The hospital gave me an Ameda and, so far, I hate it! My output was so much better last time with the medela PISA. Are you all calling Ameda customer service or your insurance member services?

memo9

@madapple that's pretty much exactly what I do!  I try my baby's actual sucking pattern.

@jrw526 I personally think the suction is stronger with a slower speed.  Maybe try that for the time being. 

MA&CB

With my first, I had bought a lansinoh which was made by Ameda and had the same motor as the Ameda.  It was awful!  I could barely get anything out of it, the suction was terrible.  They replaced all the parts and it was still awful.  Thankfully insurance eventually covered a PISA for medical reasons (this was before pumps were covered automatically), and it was like night and day between the medela and the lansinoh/ameda.  I never would have been able to pump for a year with the lansinoh.  I feel bad that the Ameda tricks people into getting it with their whole "closed system" pitch (why I bought the Lansinoh), but it's such an inferior pump compared to the medela.

LittlePigeon

My insurance covered the same pump and it has been okay, not super. I have been able to get 10-12oz with mine. I have notified if I am engorged at all I have to do some serious massaging of my ducts to get things rolling. I have more success when I pumped after nursing LO.

jrw526

@natsmama‌ I called ameda. They shipped me a new pump and a return label so I can send my current one back.

If I have the same problems I will call my insurance. They cover a PISA, but I couldn't find a medical supply company that sold them in my area. In fact one business flat out told me I'd be hard pressed to find a medical supply company that would sell me the PISA through my insurance coverage because they are much more expensive.

natsmama

thanks @jrw526 I'll give that a try. Good luck getting it all straightened out!

jrw526

@natsmama @rockopera I got my new pump yesterday and it's like night and day.  There is actual suction and I was able to pump as much as I did with the PISA.  You might want to call Ameda and see if they will replace yours.

CharlestonVal

I have the Ameda Purely Yours pump too, from my insurance and IT SUCKS! Ughhh. I am so relieved to hear someone else fussing about it. It leaks air! So annoying. I have to keep unplugging the air piece and plugging it back in. And I'm lucky to get 2-3oz per breast per sitting. 

jrw526

@WisconsinCheese12‌ they sent me new membranes too. I used my old ones and the pump worked great.

jrw526

I'd try to pump around the same time everyday about an hour after you last fed lo. It will take a few days for your body to get used to the pump. I'd say if you're getting a few oz per breast then it's probably working.

My issue was suction. You should be able to feel a pretty strong suction. With my Medela I was able to let go of the empty bottles once I turned on the machine and they stayed on my breasts. I have to hold them as they fill if im not using my pump ease pumping bra. With the Ameda the suction was minimal and the flanges would fall off constantly.

MA&CB

NorthernLghts said:

With no other experience using another brand, how would I know it does work well? I can pump anywhere from half an ounce to two ounces at a time, not sure if its me or the pump.

When I had the Lansinoh/Ameda, I would get about that much, but I knew I could pump more because I had used the hospital pump.  When I switched to the Medela, I was getting on average 6 ounces per session. 

rockopera

I knew it wasn't good when I could continue to hand express a whole lot after I seemed finished on the pump.