Manual or Electric Breast Pump – How to choose which one is better for me?
Breast pumps can be a blessing for nursing mothers. They can give you the chance to go back to work while ensuring that your baby is well-fed, they can let the father enjoy the weaving experience of taking care of the baby, or they can make you a give much-desired rest while someone else feeds the baby.
Many moms prefer to buy a pump before the baby arrives, allowing them to try out the gadget to make sure it’s convenient and to prepare them for repeated use. It is strongly recommended to insert the bottle very early to help the baby get used to it. Many babies will refuse the bottle if it is presented too late.
There are different types of pumps, all with different settings and accessories, so it is imperative to know what you are looking for. This is especially effective before you start reading the breast pump assessments. We have put together some instructions to help you find the best pump for your needs.
There are two main varieties of pumps: hand pumps and electric pumps.
Manual or electrical breast pump?
Now that is the question of the day. Every new mom has to have at least pondered the use of purchasing a breast pump at one time or the other. Especially when you realize that even as a stay at home mom you may need to leave your baby in someone else’s care while you run some errands.
In case your appointment coincides with feeding time or you are delayed through no fault of your own there must be steps taken to ensure that your baby does not go hungry. So you look into buying a breast pump, but do you want one that’s manual or one that is electrical? Here are a few things to consider before you decide.
Manual Breast Pump
These pumps are usually the most inexpensive and therefore more accessible to buy. Many are generally small and compact and easy to travel with. They are usually very easy to clean because of the limited number of parts to dismantle.
They often come in singles so only one breast at a time can be extracted. If you are not away from your baby much, this would be a great option since the lesser expense would justify the limited use.
You can use it just about anywhere since it does not need electricity and because of its size, it takes up less space in any bag that you may be using. This pump is also advantageous when you intend to be out in a public place and do not feel comfortable breastfeeding, you may use the pump in your vehicle and carry the bottle with the milk being even fresher.
One more thing to consider is that a little elbow grease will be necessary. Sometimes depending on your location, it may be a little uncomfortable to use a manual breast pump.
Manual breast pumps are manually operated by pumping a lever. The pumping movement creates a vacuum that ensures that milk from the breast protection (the part that covers the breast) flows through the tube and into the collection trays (usually feeding bottles). Some hand pumps use a single handle, while some have two handles.
Hand pumps can be an excellent choice for mothers who plan to pump at work because they are generally lighter and quieter than electric pumps. However, they often require a little more effort and sometimes take a lot of time. Therefore, if you plan to use it regularly, you may be better suited for an electric pump, instead of a hand pump or a hand pump.
Electrical Breast Pump
One of the factors that make this type of pump popular is that it does not require elbow grease hence convenience. Some brands come with sensitivity settings that allow for more comfort. AC adaptors and batteries are offered and increase the choices available. The extraction of milk becomes more comfortable with a steady pumping action that does not change due to arm strength or attention. Though more expensive than the manual pumps, they provide ease of use that cannot be matched.
Cleaning can be somewhat more difficult because of drying electrical parts and adding a motor, batteries and an AC adapter makes it a bit heavier to carry. Of course, you are the only one who determines what you want in a pump and why.
Electric breast pumps work in the same way as manual pumps, but they use an engine instead of manual pumps.
You will find that an electric pump often creates a higher suction power than a manual breast pump and also reduces the time required for expression. Some of the best electric pumps on the market, such as the Medela Pump in Style, have discreet backpacks or carrier bags that make it easy to transport them if you plan to leave the house with them.
And although they are noisier than manual breast pumps, there are some that are very quiet. Do not be discouraged by electric pumps.
Electric pumps are available in two different variants: single breast pumps and double breast pumps.
Some breast pumps are made with a flange or chest protector (the part that covers the chest) and a collection bottle.
While double breast pumps are logically delivered with 2 breast screens and 2 collection bins, such as this one – Medela.
A double electric pump will naturally produce more milk, in much less time than a single pump. It can be difficult to get used to at first. However, if you plan to use it repeatedly, the reward is worthwhile to continue with the learning curve.
Recommended electrical breast pump features to look for
One of the helpful settings to look out for in an electric breast pump is a let-down function. This is a setting that may help stimulate the breasts when you first begin pumping so that natural milk flow is achieved. Again… It isn’t a necessity but it’s something that some moms find very useful.
Another option to look out for in an electric pump is battery operated. Many of the best breast pumps can be operated either via batteries or AC power. And while there can be a small loss of power or suction while operating a pump via batteries, it allows you to take the pump practically anywhere. A lot of pumps also offer car chargers as an extra accessory.
Finding the best breast pump will most likely come down to lifestyle and your personal preferences. Hopefully, now you have a better idea of what type of pump is suited to you and what features to look out for.
Which Breast Pump Works Best?
With many breast pumps available on the market today from different manufacturers with slightly different styles and accessories it is often difficult for mothers to know which breast pump would best suit their needs. Choosing the right pump to suit a mother’s needs and requirements is a hugely important task that can either make or break the ease at which breast milked should be expressed. This report looks at the different factors to consider when choosing to buy the right breast pump.
Manual or electric? These are the 2 categories that can be chosen from and prior to looking at factors to consider we are going to first look at the pros of each category.
Manual Breast Pump Benefits:
- A cheaper alternative to the electric breast pump
- Virtually noiseless
- Fewer parts so easy to clean
- Lightweight and easily portable
Here is a list of the top 5 manual breast pumps in the market:
Electric Breast Pumps Benefits:
- Efficient and easy to use
- Durable
- Large choice
- Generally, more comfortable than manual breast pumps
- Many double dual pumps available
- Convenient and flexible
- Adjustable settings
- Battery or mains operated
- Portable
Here is a list of the top 5 electric breast pumps in the market:
Bearing in mind your daily circumstances such as work or travel you’ve hopefully decided on the breast pump that best suits your requirements. It’s now time to look at other factors to consider in your purchase decision.
Conclusion
So here it is, a detailed comparison between manual and electric breast pumps, the pros and cons that everyone has to offer.
If you do it every day, whether you are an exclusive firefighter or not, choose an electric breast pump, and you will thank yourself for making that decision later.
On the other hand, if you are looking for something for the occasional pump session from time to time and your hands are at zero, there is nothing wrong with saving a few dollars and getting a manual breast pump – this can be everything you need.
Related:
FUDGY LACTATION BROWNIES RECIPE
BREASTFEEDING VS. FORMULA FEEDING
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FORMULA FEED MY NEWBORN?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY NEWBORN BABY BREASTFEED?
