Which Brest Pump Is the best...manual or Lectric?

Updated on May 19, 2007
M. asks from Minneapolis, MN
22 answers

Hi Mom's! My little one is due in September and I am clueless as to which brand is better when it comes to manual/electric breast pumps....anyone?

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K.R.

answers from La Crosse on

Electric, electric, electric. It may cost you about $150 (I got a Medela for a shower gift from my parents) but if you are truly committed to breast feeding you little one while you work or leave the house electric is definitely the way to go!

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S.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Electric Medela is the best I have used.I had an avent manual one but it gets really hard after a while.Electric is easier.

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I saw one person mention this, but most insurance companies will cover most of the cost for a pump. I got the Medela dual electric pump (also came with equipment to pump manually) and I only had to pay $50.

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A.V.

answers from Minneapolis on

I Have a Medela pump in style and a Medela Harmony. If you are returning to work you should really invest in a duel electric pump. The electric pump will help keep your supply up and it is faster to use. If you are staying home you could just get a manual one like the Harmony. I really only use the Harmony because I only need it to relive pressure and very rarely to make a bottle for a babysitter. It doesn't hurt because I control the pressure and speed. Maybe most importantly I don't feel like I'm just a milk cow when I use the manual pump. Best of luck pump shopping.
A.

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J.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I, like many others, would recommend an electric Medela pump. It's been wonderful! I have a friend that taught lactation classes and she actually recommended that I wait to purchase it until after the baby was born. You have a few weeks before you would try introducing a bottle (they usually recommend trying at about 3 weeks to avoid nipple confusion) so you could just make sure you need/want the pump before you make such a large purchase.

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G.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would go for a hospital grade medela. I rented mine from the hospital and I loved it. I ended up returning it because I got another similar one but I thought after the fact that the hospital grade one was better because it was lots quieter and more efficient. My milk supply dried up after I switched...

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C.K.

answers from Wausau on

I have used manual and electric. Boy, what a difference! If you talk with a lactation specialist, they can help you rent an electric pump and show you how to use it. I was a bit embarrassed at first, but she handled the situation so well, and I am so glad I did it. The pump from the hospital worked sooooo much better, was quiet, efficient, and above all, virtually painless (compared to manual, a huge factor).

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B.

answers from Minneapolis on

Electric by far! It's faster (get a double set up so you can do both sides at once), easier, but more expensive. See what your insurance will cover. How often will you be using it? That's another factor: if it's only occasionally, then you could get by with manual. If you are going to do it daily (like at work) you should get the electric. I have the Medela Pump in Style and it is great. I've used it for both my kids, for about 15 months the first time and now again for about 6 months without any problems. I use it 4x per week at lunch when I work. Good luck with the baby and kudos for breastfeeding!!

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D.

answers from Minneapolis on

If you're looking for a cheaper price for an electric pump, look online at medical supply stores. If you buy one regular retail at Target or BRU, you'll spend A LOT more money for exactly the same thing.

BTW, I'm with everyone else. If you're going to be pumping on a regular basis, get an electric. I have the Medela Pump in Style. I think that's probably the most popular one to get. It's super easy to figure out how to use it.

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J.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

Dual electric are great! I only had a manual single and it took SO LONG! Plus I could only do one side at a time.
A friend of mine had the Pump N Style and she would pump at work. She could fill 2 bottles in about 10-15 minutes during her break.
I think you'll be more successful and keep at the nursing longer if you have the electric and it's not such a bother to do it.
Good luck,
J.

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J.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had 2 different kinds, and Ameda Purely Yours, and the Avent Isis. Both worked well, just depends on how fast you need to go... the Avent Isis is manual so takes longer, but was comfortable. The Ameda was much faster, didn't hurt but wasn't as comfortable either. I would definitely recommend the Ameda over a Medela Pump In Style. The work pretty much the same... I did a lot of research on the internet before choosing, and I don't remember where (it was over 3 years ago) but I found a new one for $190. The pump in style would be around $300. All the reviews I found for the Purely Yours were good, and said that it was much quieter that the Pump in style (the only one I ever used was in the hospital, the hospital model... so I can't compare the portable one). To me, when pumping at work... having it quiet was important. For the times I got stuck in a bathroom stall or something, it was nice to have it quiet so not everyone knew what I was doing. Compared to the hospital one, it also seemed to be faster. Also easy to clean, and the bag included has a cooler and ice packs, and room to carry soap and a bottle brush so you can easily wash it after using. Mine got a lot of use, and I never had a problem, and it is now packed up for future babies. If you are going to be working, I would definitely invest in an electric pump, it is a lot of money but worth it after the months of conitinuous use it will get. I pumped on both of my 15 minute breaks (a manual pump would never be done in that short time) and sometimes my lunch too for about 9 months. If you aren't working and will only be using for occasional babysitters or to increase your milk supply, then a manual is fine, and I like the Avent, it was easy to use and faster than other ones I tried.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi, I have the Medela pump in style. I really like it. I have also heard good reviews about the Whisper Wear. You can pump discreetly while doing your job or other household chores. It is super quiet and no body can knows you are doing it. Check them out online. http://www.whisperwear.com/
I don't reccomend the Avent manual as some others said they liked. It hurts and it takes a long time to get a good amount of milk out.

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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I'm a working mom who is still BFing a one-year-old. The whole time I pumped at work, I used the Avent Isis manual pump. I really liked this model for several reasons:

1. Cost. I actually ended up buying two for a backup in case I forgot to bring it to work or something.
2. Control. I could control how hard or long the pump was so I could pump more with less strokes and it was always easy on my breasts (not sure if this makes sense but I'd just hold down the lever and a lot more would come out rather than pumping 5 times). I have a pretty quick let down reflex so it never took me longer than 10 minutes to pump both breasts and my hand never got tired.
3. Cleaning. I could clean the whole thing which was 5 main pieces. I hear with the electric, you can't really clean the tubes which made me nervous that something would grow in there that would make it's way into the milk.
4. Portability. We took our daughter on a road trip to Chicago and it was great. I would just pump in my seat and give it to her. Then our stops were much quicker. You can buy the car power cords for the electric but that adds up cost-wise. Also, I did end up having times where I wasn't able to find a private room somewhere (read: pumping in a bathroom), so I wouldn't have been able to do it if I needed an outlet.

Just some thoughts as everyone seems to be pro-electric for working moms. I really liked my manual but I never tried the electric.

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Depends on what you need.
If you are working full time after your baby is born, you will need a double electric breast pump, the Medela Pump in style is your best bet. This is the pump that is recommended for moms who work and need to pump quickly, quietly, and efficiently. its the closest to hospital grade you will fine. So if you will be working, then this isthe pump you will want.

If you are going to be a SAHM, or only occasionally pump, I would suggest the Avent Isis hand pump. I am a SAHM and I used my Isis for two kids, pumping once a day, and have close to 3 years use out of mine and I really liked it, easy to clean and it really worked great.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I rented the Medela electric from the hospital and loved it. Never had a problem.

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A.B.

answers from Sheboygan on

I agree with the majority. I love my Pump in Style. I use it 3-4 times a week. I also have a manual Avent pump, but I have packed it away. After using my PIS, the Avent is just uncomfortable. It hurts! I hope you have luck deciding what will be best for you!

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K.B.

answers from Rochester on

Hi M., congrats! Breastpumps are something you definently don't want to be cheap on, I would say get a dual, electric pump, maybe an evenflo? I got a single electric one and I hated it, I only spent like $50 on it and it was horrible....my next baby I am definently going to save up and get a really nice one. I hope you find one that you like!

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L.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I love my Lansinoh Double Electric pump!!! I work full time and can be done in 15 minutes, even hands free if I lean on my desk. LOL...if you're going to buy a double electric, I suggest buying the tube top thingy you can fit the pumps into so your hands are free to do other stuff.

Good luck!

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A.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

When I delivered my first I bought the Medela Breast Pump. It was directly billed to my insurance. It was electric, the lactation nurse will then show you how to use and operate, and clean it as well as well as supply you with the extras needed. Congrats on your baby and congrats on breastfeeding.A.

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P.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have the Madela Douple Pump. It was expensive, but well worth it, so I've been told my other mom friends that have hand held pumps or opt for a different cheeper brand. Electric is the way to go too. It's much faster and if you get the double pump, you're not wasting all the milk from the breast you're not pumping when your milk lets down. I don't know about you, but when my milk let down, both breasts let down...and what a waste of that liquid gold. :) Good luck.

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V.B.

answers from Green Bay on

ELECTRIC......otherwise your hand is going to be killing you. i bought a Medula double pump, and it was great. I had it for 6 years, and 3 pregnancies. If you plan on having more kids, best bet is to buy one that is going to last. Mine was about $300, but i loved it. Plus it came with a little hand held one for in the car, or whilel traveling! And you didn't have to use the bottles they supplied, you could attach any bottle/bag you wanted to it. Good luck and congrats on your future baby!

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have the dual electric Medela Pump N Style. I've used it for two of my children and have another on the way and it's wonderful! It's a bit more pricey than other brands, but well worth it in my opinion. You can get a backpack or briefcase style bag that has all of the equipment in it. I bought mine new but I've seen them on Craigslist for much less $ - you would just want to buy new tubing and accessories which run $20-$50. 3 years ago mine was $250 new.

Good Luck!

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