Congratulations! Now that you are holding your newborn in your arms, it means that round the clock feedings have started for your baby! While you cherish these precious bonding time with your little one, don’t forget to get help from a pump, too.

Most seasoned mothers will agree that investing in the best manual breast pump will prove to be a lifesaver. Not only will it serve convenient for trips, it will also allow you some freedom to take a nap, sleep through the night or maybe even go out on your own for a bit.

Pumping is a great way to prepare your baby on outings and gather some much needed sleep, but the benefits just go much beyond that. Although your baby will be breastfeeding every couple of hours, your breasts will still be full especially in the first weeks after giving birth. In these moments, you will be able to expel the excessive milk by pumping and avoid clogged milk ducts. 

We have compiled a list of 10 Best Manual Breast Pumps in 2020 for you to make your shopping experience much easier.

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How To Choose A Manual Breast Pump – Buying Guide

As it has a direct effect on new mom’s health, choosing between a manual and electric breast pump is a serious decision. Depending on the fact that how often you plan to pump, whether you will be breastfeeding on a regular basis, or how long you plan to continue are important factors while making your decision. 

Manual Breast Pump

These pumps work better for mothers who are aiming to pump before a night out or while traveling. They are cheaper in price, lightweight, and come with a compact design allowing them to take it with you just about anywhere.

They are also ideal because they are silent while using does not require an electrical outlet. Manual breast pumps have been on the market for a long time, they do not rely on power and are less likely to malfunction.

Handle

Breastfeeding reviews warn against wrist fatigue while using a manual pump. In order to avoid this, it is recommended to find a breast pump with an ergonomically designed handle. This means the handle’s shape should have been designed to have the same curve as your hand.

Some pumps come with a 2-phase design. This is a feature found in the handle of the pump in which you clamp at one end of the handle to promote the milk production. Following this, you use the end of the pump to maximize milk flow and allow for more efficiency.

Electrical Breast Pump

While manual pumps have stood the test of time, electrical pumps are a lot more efficient. Also preferred by maternity wards, these powerful tools work much alike a manual pump but require an electrical source to power the pumping motion. 

Coming in either singular or double pump systems, they are preferred by moms who plan to pump continuously. This is because they are less tiring, take less time to work, and able to pump both breasts at once. They are however at more risk for malfunctions.

Storage Containers

Whether you choose to go with a manual or electric one, it is important to look for a pump system that comes with extra milk containers. Oftentimes pumps will come with two, or even four milk storage containers allowing you to store extra milk for your precious baby.

For pump systems that don’t come with extra milk storage containers, it is important to look for ones where additional containers can also be purchased. Many pumps use universal containers that will fit on any pump. Pumping your milk is only useful when your milk is safely stored.

Not last but the least, lids are also an overlooked feature of a breast pump. Being able to cover the containers allows you to not only store your milk in the fridge but also make sure no contaminants get inside them. 

Lids and caps should also cover where the breast rests. This will ensure that you only have milk inside your containers and make it easy for you to start and stop pumping quickly.

Materials

The most important factor while choosing your product is the material it is made out of. Some pumps are made from a food grade 100% silicone material. This material is soft and can stick to your breast creating a perfect seal in order to make suction. 

When looking at pumps you should look for ones that are BPA, PVC, Phthalate, Lead and petroleum free. All of these can irritate you and can cause health risks for your child.

Storage containers should also be made from similar materials that can reduce breakage and make it easy to store the milk.

FAQ

Q: What Is A Breast Pump?
A: A breast pump is a device used to extract milk from the breasts either manually or electrically. Breast pump is one of the best helpers of working mothers today. These devices help mothers to feed their babies with their own milk even when they are not near them. It allows other members of the family to feed the baby when the mother is not around. It also helps moms who cannot breastfeed for medical reasons.

Q: When Should I Use A Breast Pump?

A: You should start using a breast pump 1-6 hours after birth. This is valid if your baby is premature or sick, or you cannot breastfeed. 

If your baby is sucking milk properly, you can wait a few weeks to use a breast pump and start storing milk. 

Q: What Extras Should I look out for?

A: You can use a breast pump to increase your milk or to relax your breast when you have too much milk. Pumping is also very effective method to accelerate the milk flow in the breast when there is a blockage in the milk ducts. You should use it to get the best milk mostly in the morning. 

Q: Pumping Breast Milk: Is it Necessary?

A: Pumping might be necessary in some cases. You can use a breast pump when your baby refuses to suck your baby or when he is sick. If you are unable to breastfeed your baby for your work, school or other reasons, you can also pump. Also, if you don’t get enough milk out of your breasts, pumping regularly will help increase your milk production, too.

Q: Do Manual Breast Pumps Work Better Than Electric?

A: It depends on the purpose. If you plan to pump once or less a day, a manual one is sufficient. But an electric version is more useful if you need to use it constantly. The manual pump is more effective as it is more practical to use at night.  Also, it is much more economical compared to the electric pump.

Q: How Do You Use A Manual Breast Pump?

A: Here are some instructions:

  • Make sure all parts are clean, and sterile before use
  • Then wash your hands and sit in a comfortable place
  • Prepare your pump kit
  • Insert the breast flange on the pump to set into your nipple fully
  • Make sure the nipple is fully seated in the middle of the flange (the open part)
  • First stimulate the nipple with the fast rhythm, set the vacuum power close to the maximum until the milk flows
  • As soon as the milk starts to flow, normalize the vacuum and accelerate the rhythm
  • Approximately 15 minutes is sufficient for pumping 
  • At the end of milking, switch off the device and remove the sets from your chest

Q: How Long Does A Manual Breast Pump Take?

A: If you have a quality pump and you are pumping quickly, it takes about 10 – 15 minutes to pump out both breasts to drain. It takes 20-30 minutes in total if you pump each breast separately.

Q: How Long Should I Manually Pump Each Breast?

A: It takes about 10-15 minutes for each breast to drain. Also, wait about 2-5 minutes after pumping to make sure your chest is completely empty.

Q: Does Electric Breast Pump Produce More Milk?

A: Yes and No. Milk production on your body depends on various factors, however it is a known fact that the more milk is sucked, and the more milk your body produces. If your body already produces little milk, pumping by an electrical device won’t increase it. It just sucks what is there and in a much shorter time, producing more milk with less energy.

Q: Should I Keep Pumping If No Milk is Coming Out?

A: Yes, you should pump it until the milk comes out. You will see the milk come out after a while. Also, pumping for about 15 minutes is an appropriate time for most women.

My Babies Planet Overview

As well as reducing the pressure felt and avoiding clogged milk ducts when your breasts feel full in between feedings, pumps also help you get some time for yourself and allow for a level of independence that cannot otherwise be achieved. 

We hope our list of 10 Best Manual Breast Pumps in 2020 has helped you make a quicker decision. 

More Baby Reviews:

My Babies Planet Manual Breast Pumps Review
★★★★★
“ Thank you for the great reviews. I choose the Silicone Breast Pump by Haakaa and I really like it.”
- Jean Anderson

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Sarah Nielsen
https://www.mybabiesplanet.com
Hello Mother's and Father's of the world. My name is Sarah Nielsen is this is my passion MyBabiesPlanet.com, as I am a mother of two beautiful babies and they are my world. Also I love blogging and sharing my experiences of what has worked for me when raising my kids. When I'm not juggling the madness at home, or working on my blog. You will find me product researching and keeping the site freshly updated with the latest baby gear and helpful articles for my readers!

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