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Pure and Simple
The Purely Yours Breast Pump By Shel Franco
Breast pump manufacturers believe their products to be the best – and they should, otherwise their advertising claims are nothing but inflated half-truths told for the sole purpose of making money. Quality pump makers are of course interested in profit, but unlike their "shady" counterparts, 
quality pump makers also want their products to enhance the lives of breastfeeding mothers and babies.
On my crusade for quality pumps, I have been fortunate to come across more than one quality pump maker. The latest addition to that list is Ameda. For a one-month period in February 2003, I tested the Ameda Purely Yours breast pump (with backpack).
Since 1997, Hollister, Inc. has been distributing Ameda pumps and breastfeeding accessories, yet the Ameda name has been synonymous with breastfeeding products for well over 50 years. Currently, Ameda offers a wide range of breast pumps for rent and for purchase.
My first taste of the Purely Yours breast pump's ease of use came when I slid the black, backpack out of the box. Much to my delight, assembly – what there was of it – was pretty self-explanatory. In less than one minute, I was set up and ready to pump. (Cleaning is equally easy.)
The first two seconds of pumping were uncomfortable, but then I discovered exactly why it is important to have a pump with adjustable settings. I fiddled with both the suction and the speed, and within seconds, I was pumping in pure comfort. My first 15-minute pumping session yielded 4 to 5 ounces.
During my research, I discovered that Ameda sells a Flexishield Areola Stimulator, a flexible insert that can be used with the Purely Yours pump. While I can't attest to its effectiveness, Ameda literature claims that the Flexishield mimics Baby and helps stimulate let-down. This could be a nice alternative for pumping moms who are leery of hard funnels.
