I was given the Medela Symphony Pump, which is hospital grade, to borrow when my son was born but he had jaundice and difficulty gaining weight. I had to return it after a month and tried really hard with all the reasons to keep it longer but it was a no go. I switched to the Ameda and even though the transition sucked, I got use to it. I was able to pump at work and exclusively breastfeed until my son was 15 months old. It may work well for you, I’d try it first before buying something else.

I got the ameda from Kaiser and based on friend's reports just thought I'd use it as a back up, I went ahead and bought the spectra like others said. I actually got the spectra used on facebook marketplace or somewhere and bought new parts cheaply on Amazon. it's a closed system so this is totally ok. I never needed the ameda as a backup so never actually used it so I can't speak to it, but wanted to share the used idea.

I also had a prescription for the first two months for the medela symphony (due to baby's short NICU stay and trouble feeding) and loved that thing, we paid for it on our own for the third month because I was so worried to give it up because we'd finally gotten in a groove, but I second others that if you do have trouble, remember to ask! Kaiser will definitely pay for it if it's needed and then you have a hospital grade pump.

The Ameda is the worst. I’m convinced it impacted my supply. I just used FSA money and bought a Spectra for my second.

You will get the Ameda, there is no way of upgrading. It’s honestly a pretty terrible pump, but some women respond okay to it. If you’re going to be going back to work, I would probably pay for a Spectra out of pocket or purchase one used.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Ameda sucks. It’s terrible. You can’t even give the thing away.

Here’s what you can do... tell you primary care doctor (not OBGYN) that you’re baby isn’t gaining enough weight, and you need to pump to supplement, and you want a prescription for the Medela Symphony (hospital grade). It’ll be delivered in a couple days.

Note: this may only work if your baby is actually having trouble gaining weight.

Yeah it will definitely not work unless the baby is actually having trouble gaining weight, which is hopefully not the case.

My baby was slow to gain weight and I called the lactation consultant and she placed the rental order. It worked great.

I had the ameda for 2 kids. It isn't what I would have picked for myself, but I think it actually worked pretty well. Kaiser gives no other options for pumps/upgrades. I suggest trying it for s few weeks. If it doesn't meet your needs, buy your own. But I liked it more than I thought I would (except for the annoying beeping).

Anonymous wrote:It’s just ameda. I tried upgrading. It’s not the ameda purely yours. I got that with my 2016 baby. It’s the ameda finesse now.

I got the Purely Yours a couple of weeks ago from Kaiser. Did they just make this change?

Anonymous wrote:The Ameda sucks. It’s terrible. You can’t even give the thing away.

Here’s what you can do... tell you primary care doctor (not OBGYN) that you’re baby isn’t gaining enough weight, and you need to pump to supplement, and you want a prescription for the Medela Symphony (hospital grade). It’ll be delivered in a couple days.

Note: this may only work if your baby is actually having trouble gaining weight.

Yeah it will definitely not work unless the baby is actually having trouble gaining weight, which is hopefully not the case.

The Ameda sucks. It’s terrible. You can’t even give the thing away.

Here’s what you can do... tell you primary care doctor (not OBGYN) that you’re baby isn’t gaining enough weight, and you need to pump to supplement, and you want a prescription for the Medela Symphony (hospital grade). It’ll be delivered in a couple days.

Note: this may only work if your baby is actually having trouble gaining weight.

Anonymous wrote:I got the Ameda provided by them and I actually don’t mind it. I had heard from the LC at the hospital it was bad, but it is working well for me. If a new pump paid for out of pocket isn’t in the cards, I didn’t want you to think you were getting a piece of junk. FWIW I am EP as well.

OP here- Thanks for reassurance! I might just get it and see how it goes, and try to get the spectra used or later when I go back to work.

I got the Ameda provided by them and I actually don’t mind it. I had heard from the LC at the hospital it was bad, but it is working well for me. If a new pump paid for out of pocket isn’t in the cards, I didn’t want you to think you were getting a piece of junk. FWIW I am EP as well.

Anonymous wrote:I havent dealt with this yet, but I figured I would sell mine on ebay and put the money toward something better.

You’ll only get $5 on Craigslist. Everyone wants the spectra not the ameda

It’s just ameda. I tried upgrading. It’s not the ameda purely yours. I got that with my 2016 baby. It’s the ameda finesse now.

I havent dealt with this yet, but I figured I would sell mine on ebay and put the money toward something better.

No idea. I have Kaiser and recently received my Ameda - haven't tried it yet but the ped warned me it's not very good ::womp womp:: I got the impression at the breastfeeding class that the Ameda is the only option though they are possibly looking to switch in the future. I'm sure it doesn't hurt to ask though,I probably should have.

Has anyone had experience "upgrading" their breast pump options within Kaiser. They are offering an Ameda purely yours, but I was hoping to get a spectra. Any suggestions?