Return to: Choosing a Breast Pump
Manual Pumps vs. Electric Pumps
by Susie Hamilton
Breast Pumps Direct
Product Expert
There are many types and styles of breast pumps available on the market today, which can make choosing the right pump a particularly difficult task. To begin finding the right pump for your lifestyle you should first determine whether manual or electric pumping would best meet your needs.
Manual Pumps
If you will only be pumping occasionally then a manual breast pump should be able to meet your needs. Since manual pumps are so small and lightweight you can conveniently pack one in a diaper bag and carry it wherever you go.
In addition, manual breast pumps are available at very affordable prices. Many new mothers choose to use a manual breast pumps until they determine how long they will breastfeed since an electric pump can be a quite large investment.
A manual pump also gives the mother complete control over the suction and speed of the pump; however, many mothers grow tiresome during manual expression and are unable to collect enough milk for a feeding.
Electric Pumps
Electric breast pumps are designed to meet the needs of breastfeeding mothers that need to pump daily. If you plan to return to work after having your baby then you will be in the market for an electric breast pump.
Working mothers prefer to use electric pumps because they can easily express more milk in a short amount of time. A mother who needs to increase her milk supply may also benefit from using an electric breast pump. If you choose a model that offers double pumping you can greatly decrease the amount of time that you need to pump.
Often electric pumps can be quite heavy and noisy; however, manufacturers continue to use advanced technology, which creates lighter pumps that make much less noise. Many models can also be operated with batteries making them more convenient for active mothers.
The electric pumps that are available can be quite expensive compared to the manual pump prices, but if you plan to feed your baby breast milk exclusively then the pump will be well worth the price. Most electric pumps come with their own carry bag or backpack and have storage for keeping your expressed milk cool.
Once you have determined whether you need a manual or electric pump choosing the right breast pump for you will be much easier. Take a look at our Breast Pump Comparison Chart and customer Breast Pump Reviews to select the perfect model for your milk expression needs.
Return to: Choosing a Breast Pump
