Are you the one who is looking to pump occasionally, like once a day or less? Then a manual pump is a way to go. The manual breast pumps are powered by hand movements and no need for a plug or batteries like you’ll find on electric breast pumps. Also, they are inexpensive and portable.
What are the best manual breast pumps for your breastfeeding needs? That depends on your goals as a breastfeeding mother and what you are comfortable with. So here we have reviewed some popular manual breast pumps and what you should look for when purchasing a manual breast pump. Let's check out.
Things To Consider Before Selecting Manual Breast Pumps
Manual breast pumps are very simple to use and can be a great addition to your breastfeeding and pumping schedule. There are two basic types of Manual breast pumps available. They are;
☑️Lever Or Handle Pumps
This is a common design that consists of a nipple shield attached to a valve that opens into a bottle. It allows the moms to pump the lever and create suction that they squeeze to express milk.
☑️Milk Catchers Or Suction Pumps
These types of pumps are usually one-piece pumps that consist of a single piece of shaped, food-grade silicone that fits around your nipple. So the suction pump also acts as the milk collection bottle.
☑️Bulb pumps
This type is the same as the other manual breast pumps but the rubber portion makes it unhygienic. So it is not safe for your babies to give collected breast milk from this pump. The Bulb pumps are only used for easing your engorgement.
When purchasing a manual breast pump, there are four main things to look, they are;
🔵Efficiency
When you're purchasing a manual or electric breast pump make sure to check the efficiency and the comfort of using it. Some types of breast pumps are very simple and you can use them right out of the box, so to get the full benefits of the pump you need to be able to understand it and use it correctly.
🔵Easy to Clean
Some breast pumps might be highly efficient but they may not be easy to clean. So before purchasing it, make sure that you can thoroughly clean your breast pump pieces every time you are using them. Because it helps to get rid of easily breeds bad bacteria which can get passed on to your baby. The manual pumps have fewer parts than electric pumps.
🔵Pump Size
Size is another major fact to consider before purchasing a breast pump, as they don’t have to lug around huge electric breast pumps everywhere they go.
🔵Fit Options
If you are using an electric or manual pump, ensure the proper fit to your breast. Most manual breast pumps offer different sizing options for their flanges, if it's not the right size, it will not work as effectively.
Best 5 Manual Breast Pumps
1.Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
It is one of the favorites among moms because it's easy and effective. The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump uses simple suction to express milk, so all you need to do is just attach it to your breast, squeeze once or twice, and milk starts dribbling out.
Also, it is made of food-grade silicone that's safe for moms and babies, and it's a snap to clean. It is also extremely budget-friendly compared to other breast pumps.
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2.Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
The Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is perfect for busy schedules, as a backup to your electric pump, or for occasional use. It has been designed for the occasional time and features a soft-touch, ergonomic swivel handle for enhanced comfort. The vacuum allows adjusting the suction for the most optimal comfort level and efficient flow of breastmilk.
So once it starts to flow, you just need to switch to the longer side of the handle which creates a slower sucking cycle to express the majority of your milk. Apart from that, it offers a two-phase technology to mimic the natural sucking behaviors of your baby and increase letdown.
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3.Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump
This affordable manual breast pump comes with a handy stand to stop the expressed milk from spilling. It has adjustable two-phase technology - the Let-Down Phase gives rapid suction to stimulate and initiate milk flow and the Expression Phase gives lower, deeper suction to maximize milk flow.
Apart from that it also offers a unique ComfortSeal cushion that creates a secure seal for more comfortable and efficient pumping.
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4.Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump
Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump is a unique breast pump as it has a breast shield design. Also, it has a flexed small funnel that enables you to sit in a relaxed position while expressing and this helps to flow milk in the container directly. The ergonomic design of Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump allows you to control it with your fingertip and to put a closed seal on the breast that helps you in pumping conveniently.
And one of the important features is that it completely imitates the sucking and your child will not be able to detect the difference. It is designed with an angled neck and a soft massage cushion with five textured petals that ensure the utmost comfort for mums which have a positive effect on milk flow and quantity!
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5.Bumblebee Manual Breast Pump
If you are looking for an ergonomically designed manual breast pump then this Bumblebee Manual Breast Pump is the right choice. This is specially designed for occasional use, which costs a lot less than many of its competitors. The pump only weighs 0.16 ounces and it comes with a comfy silicone breast cushion, so it is easy to assemble and clean.
It is made with food-grade silicone which feels soft and will never hurt mothers’ nipples and skin. Also, it contains an adorable pink and heart shape stopper and a breast pump lid. Compared to electric breast pumps it is a simple design, with the most effective results.
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Are Manual breast pumps worth it?
If you are a mom who only wants to express milk for one feed a day or for an occasional break, then a simple manual breast pump may be the best option. One of the big advantages of Manual breast pumps is that their simplicity and convenient size. Also, it helps to control the suction rate yourself. and squeeze the handle to create a rhythmic vacuum that stimulates milk flow. Manual pumps are best for moms who need something reliable and portable. It may be difficult to know which features you will find most useful. Choosing a suitable breast pump depends on which stage you’re at, as well as your personal circumstances, your baby’s needs.
Which is the most effective manual breast pump?
A manual breast pump has suction force adjustment that enables adjusting the suction force to the sensitivity of the breast. The Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump is the most recommended breast pump as it gives comfortable milk. This is because the simplicity of milk collection and cleaning would be one of the superb choices that the Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump offers.
Final Verdict On The Best Manual Breast Pumps
Manual breast pumps are a great option for moms who only pump once a day at their workplace or while traveling. If you are a working mother it is better to use a manual breast pump, this ensures that your baby gets your breast milk even while you’re away. Also, it could be a good choice if your baby is unable to extract sufficient milk from the breasts. And they are generally made of silicone and feature a handle that has to be operated manually to extract milk.
Choosing the Best Manual Breast Pumps can be tricky but whichever breast pump you choose, it will take some for you to get used to the pump. So getting the best or using both an electric and a manual pump is not the important thing, choosing the best or the right breast pump that’s easy to put together, comfortable to use, simple to clean, and of course, that holds on to your milk without wasting a drop.