The 7 Best Manual Breast Pumps
Editor's Notes
June 12, 2020:
Mothers who are trying to supply a full day of milk when they go back to work will most likely choose an electric breast pump, but those who are simply interested in saving every precious drop and building an extra supply for the occasional night out may want to pass on the expensive, bulky electronic models.
For this update we added the HaaKaa Silicone for offering a hands-free way to catch let-down while the baby is nursing on the other side, plus when the suction is applied correctly this unit can collect several more ounces in a time-saving way. Sleep-deprived parents will appreciate that there is nothing to disassemble for cleaning, and they've added a suction base so you can set it down securely and not have to worry about spills.
The Medela Harmony is probably the most complex manual option, with it's two stage process, but it's all built-in to the swiveling handle, so it's not significantly larger than any other choices that require pumping by hand. The two-stage process also offers the most control over the speed of suction which is key to comfort for some mothers.
Many women will choose a manual pump of the same brand of bottle they prefer as the collection containers are designed to allow you to pop on a nipple and feed baby. The Lansinoh Easy Express and the Philips Avent Comfort even supply a newborn nipple for this purpose.