Like the popular Haakaa, Dr. Brown's silicone pump is a suction-style pump and works the same way: You suction it onto one breast and it draws milk out without you having to do much of anything. Moms say it's easy to clean, easy to use, and works well to catch leaking breast milk, and to gently pump milk from full breasts. They also love that it's silent and inexpensive. Single or double pump: Single | Number of settings: One | Closed system: Yes | BPA free: Yes | Warranty: 2 years What we like I used to get on with a hand trigger type pump. Had to have baby on my lap to get milk though. I think pumping is easier after a few months, when just thinking about baby, brings the flow.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user, Redebs) Our verdict

Much-loved brand, Medela have claimed the top spot on our list with their highly efficient Harmony Manual Breast Pump. This pump gets a lot of love on our forums with some mums claiming they’re able to express as much if not more breast milk with this pump, versus their electric pump.Lisafé Carreon, Senior Product Manager at BabyCenter says the Haakaa was helpful when she would breastfeed her daughter in the middle of the night. “She used to only take one boob, so I’d pop this onto the other boob," Lisafe says, which gave her some relief without wasting milk. Whilst electric breast pumps are useful for longer at-home or in-office pumping sessions, there’s no doubt that a manual breast pump deserve a place in every mum’s changing bag or purse too. Mumsnetter grey12 agrees. She says, “It's good to have a small manual pump just in case you need it at the hospital (a friend pumped for her baby in the incubator) if you need to be away from your baby, and even if you pump all the time, who knows if maybe your electric pump may fail!” As the NHS highlights, manual breast pumps are cheaper, simpler to use, lightweight and generally quieter than electric breast pumps. They’re also ideal for travel as they’re compact, don’t require electricity and are easier to clean. I love mine. I find I can easily get a bottle full in a short time. I like that I can easily bring it from place to place at home. I'm really glad I didn't bother with an electric one. But I also don't pump too often, just a few times a week.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user, AnakinPadme ) Our verdict The Lansinoh pump works very well. I use it if my baby sleeps through a night feeding and I feel engorged, since it's much quieter than an electric pump and I don't have to wake everyone up." The soft and flexible silicone design of the hands-free Lansinoh Silicone Breast Pump makes it a popular choice amongst Mumsnetters who claim that the gentle suction works really well to extract breast milk without any hand pumping motions needed. All you do is gently compress the lower portion of the pump and unfold the pump's opening outward. Next, position the pump's opening over your nipple and return the cushion to its initial position, covering the nipple area. This creates the suction you need to start expressing.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages and the answer to this question largely depends on your individual needs. Accessories: Some pumps come with accessories like bottles, flanges in multiple sizes, or storage bags. Dr. Madden notes that choosing flanges that are the right size is important when using manual pumps; Aeroflow has great advice on choosing the right flanges. When it comes to your breastfeeding journey, a good breast pump can make all the difference to your overall experience, allowing you to relieve engorgement, build up a stash of breastmilk for future feeds and allow your partner or another family member to take over some feeding sessions if you need to catch up on sleep or are away from your baby for any length of time. One of the standout features of the Medela Harmony is the soft and flexible PersonalFit breast shields that feel more comfortable than some standard shields as they’re bendier and fit the body better. This pump is discreet, portable, and doesn't require batteries or an electrical outlet, making it convenient for on-the-go pumping. With its compact size, ease of use, and reliable performance, we believe that the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is an excellent choice for occasional or supplementary pumping.If you’re worried that your hands might get tired or sore with a handheld manual pump, then the Mochi Manual Wearable Pump is a good option. The sleek, compact design is super lightweight and made from 100% medical grade silicone, so it won’t weigh your breasts down. And we like that the flange structure is designed to adapt to all breast and nipple sizes. The flanges that come with this pump are 25 and 30.5 millimeters in diameter; Lansinoh sells compatible flanges in other sizes. Sit comfortably - Choose a comfortable and relaxed seating position that allows you to lean slightly forward. This can help gravity assist with milk flow and prevent straining during pumping. Breastfeeding is a mental game," Blankenship says. "Sometimes pumping doesn't elicit the same emotions as feeding your baby straight from the breast. If you find the noise of an electric pump too distracting and are having a hard time relaxing, a manual pump can help express more milk than an electric pump. Keep in mind that just because it's a manual pump, doesn't mean you'll need to squeeze it the whole time. You'll squeeze until milk starts to flow, then you can rest until milk flow stops before squeezing again. I recommend speaking to a breastfeeding professional before starting a pumping routine. There are many things to think about when pumping, and it can save a lot of trouble down the road if you come up with a plan that works for your particular issues ahead of time. More milk is not always a good thing.” verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

Pros: Electric pumps offer adjustable suction levels and pumping settings for more comfort and efficiency. They typically allow for double pumping which is a big time saver if you’re in a rush to express milk before work etc. Electric pumps are well-suited for regular or exclusive pumping and can help maintain milk supply over time.I have two of these, and while traveling I double pump with a pumping bra. This is great at airports without nursing stations or other venues where outlets aren't available. The Harmony works better than my electric pump." I feel like I get more milk, and faster than I'm used to, with the electric pump. Plus, it's more comfortable and doesn't make annoying noises." Manual breast pumps are not one size fits all, so the first thing you'll want to do is consult the instructions manual of your particular product to ensure best use. But, here are a few simple tips to help you get started with your manual breast pump: