Manual breast pumps work by mimicking the sucking action of a breastfeeding baby. A cup pad is placed over your nipple and air is hand-pumped in to create a vacuum over your breast that stimulates milk flow.
Your milk is collected in the attached container to be stored and fed to your baby when it's convenient – great if you have returned to work, or are away from your baby. Expect to pay between £20 to £30 for a manual breast pump.
Choosing a manual breast pump
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact – easy to fit into your handbag
- Quiet
- Simple-to-use mechanism
- Cheaper than electric breast pumps – and cost nothing to run after you've bought one.
Cons
- Slower to use than an electric breast pump
- Repetitive pumping can be tiring over sustained periods
- Can be difficult to get into a regular pumping rhythm.
Manual breast pumps – what to look for
The basic design of a manual breast pump is fairly consistent across different models and brands – but there are factors to look out for when choosing a suitable manual pump for you. Here are some shopping pointers.
Popular manual breast pump brands
Breast pump brands including Philips Avent and Tommee Tippee are popular choices.
Size and portability
You may need to express milk when you're out and about or at work – so a discreet and travel-friendly breast pump is an important consideration. Manual breast pumps are lightweight and noise-free, which can make them a good option for expressing when you're away from home. Most should fit into your bag, while some also come with carrying bags or cases.
Look for a breast pump that comes with useful extras, like spare containers
If you're comparing models in a shop, pick them up and compare how heavy and bulky they are.
Comfort
Comfort is a top priority for expressing mums. Using a breast pump shouldn't hurt – but some women can find the suction uncomfortable. The good thing about manual pumps is that you're directly in control of the pumping and can stop, start or change pace instantly.
Some mums find manual breast pumps gentler than the more powerful electric varieties. You should also look out for cushion or massage cups that are designed to be more comfortable.
Extras
Lots of manual breast pumps come with added extras that can come in handy – including travel bags, breast pads, spare containers so you can express more than one bottle's worth of milk and suction cups of different sizes and styles for you to try out and see what's most comfortable. Some manual breast pumps will be more adjustable in terms of suction strength than others.
Frequency of use
Choosing a manual breast pump is a good low-cost option if you're only expressing milk every now and then, or when you're away from home. If you choose to feed your baby solely with expressed milk, however, investing in a more expensive – but more powerful – electric pump could make expressing a quicker and easier process.
