Manual vs. Electric Breast Pump

At some point in your breastfeeding journey, you may have the desire or necessity to provide breast milk to your baby through a bottle or supplemental nursing system (SNS). Maybe you are returning to work, have a support person who wants to help with feedings, or you simply prefer to feed baby off the breast. Whatever the reason, you have options on how to express that milk and get it from point A (you) to point B (baby). Here’s a quick rundown.

Expressed breast milk is the removal of breast milk from the breast via manual or electric pump. Manual expression can be by hand—into a cup or spoon—or by a device that requires you to manually squeeze the device by hand to create suction and remove the breast milk. An electric breast pump, on the other hand, uses a motor to power the pump and remove the breast milk. Both options get the job done, but let’s look at the pros and cons so you can decide which may be best for you.

Manual Pump

• Small, light, and easy to travel with
• Affordable
• Doesn’t require a power source (plug-in or battery)
• No associated noise
• Can be used to collect milk without stimulating more milk production
• Only parts to wash are hands
• No nipple trauma

Cons:

• Time-consuming
• One breast at a time
• Manually pumping can be tiring when done frequently

Electric Pump

• Can pump both breasts simultaneously
• Hands-free options
• Efficient milk removal
• Many settings
• Increases milk production

Cons:

• More expensive
• Requires power (plug-in or battery)
• More parts to clean and sanitize

Breastfeeding and pumping require a lot of time and energy, so take your lifestyle into account—and how often you’ll need to pump—when deciding which system is best for you. If an electric breast pump is your choice, we recommend connecting with a lactation professional to determine the correct flange size (which may differ for each breast!) and provide a brief tutorial on how to correctly use the settings. Most hospitals and clinics have lactation professionals and hospital-grade pumps, so if you think you may use a pump, we suggest connecting with your provider to get that information.

General Pump Tips

1. Center nipple in flange.
2. Nipple should move freely in and out.
3. Limit the amount of areola (darker circle of skin around the nipple) pulled into the flange.
4. Avoid any trapped air or gaps between the flange and the breast.
5. There should be no pain after the first few seconds of pumping.
6. Pump every 3 hours.
7. Average duration is 12-20 minutes.
8. Average session is 2-3 letdowns.
9. If pumping takes more than 25 minutes, check flange size and vacuum setting.

Tip: Set Up a Pumping Station

It’s just as important to be comfortable when pumping as it is when breastfeeding. It requires time, energy, and extra calories to express that breast milk, so we recommend setting up a pumping station or basket. Make sure it includes:

• Water (lots of water)
• A high-protein snack (such as nuts, an energy bar, cheese, or a meat stick)
• Maybe your phone or media device to listen to that podcast or meditation

We know pumping can be stressful at times. You might have thoughts like:

• “Am I making enough milk?”
• “Is baby going to need more?”
• “What’s going on with this ‘slacker boob’?”

These are all common thoughts and questions—but stressing won’t help your production. Remember to take some deep breaths, relax, and hydrate. You got this.

P.S. If milk supply is a concern, reach out to a lactation professional who can help assess the situation. You can also learn more about milk supply in our content. Click here to learn more

Disclaimer: The information on Mone does not replace professional medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Please seek medical advice from your physician or other qualified health care providers.