Manual Breast Pump Experience

Sunny528

Hi Ladies,

I was curious as to whether anyone has experience with manual breast pumps?  If so, how long does it take to use it for each pumping session?  Any recommendations on certain brands?

mrspopsicle

I had a cheapo one. I rarely used it, but I was an exclusive pumper so it was nice to have when we were going to be out for several hours and I didn't want to lug my pump. It took me about 15 mins per side.

CamrynnsMommy

I would not recommend a manual. I used one for the first few weeks before I decided to rent one. It's so much more time consuming than an electric. It's really exhausting for your arms.

I pumped 20 mins on each side, so 40 mins total. I had the Medela Lactina hand-pump.

Sunny528

That's good to know. Thank you! Just thinking ahead to my future schedule when baby is here and I'll have to pump.  

danabsd

I have the Medela one. It works fine but it's no comparison to my double electric. I brought it if we were going out for a long period and drinking and I thought I would need to relieve some pressure. I would absolutely recommended it for that but not for an everyday working mother or EPer. I can't say how long it would take you to pump because everyone's different in that respect.

jane8188

I only used a manual, I have a medela double electric and it was just too much of a pain to deal with. I'm sure if I had to use it all day every day I would think different but I only used it a few times a day.

ckandi007

I had the Medela manual that I would only use if I was out and didn't want to lug around the electric. Not my fav, but it did the job. When my son was 3 months, I could empty a boob in 10 mins. with a manual.

spinsoffresonance

I used the lansinoh manual pump at home and a medela symphony double electric hospital grade pump at work. I actually liked the manual pump a lot better. It was more comfortable and I could pump more milk in the same amount of time as the hospital grade. I don't think a manual is really a viable option for pumping at work but I definitely recommend getting one, they're only $30 and great for travel and emergencies.

jenb_99

I had a Lansinoh pump and I couldn't even make it 10 minutes. It was exhausting and inefficient. I figure I would've had to use the manual for 45 minutes to an hour to produce the same amount of milk I pumped in 20 minutes with my electric.

I recommend having a manual on hand for special occasions (like if you're out and about and miss a feeding or pumping session, or in the beginning if you're engorged and/or need to get things going so baby can nurse), but I wouldn't recommend it at all as the primary pump.