Breast Pump Options: Manual vs Electric Breast Pumps Pros and Cons
Breastfeeding is an integral part of a mum’s journey when caring for her child. Direct latching is the primary goal, but it can be challenging especially for mums who need to accomplish other tasks, head to work, or be away from their child for a certain period.
If you’re a busy mum staying mostly at home, a manual breast pump can be helpful. But if you need to express milk in a short amount of time, an electric breast pump may be most ideal. Understanding the Breast Pump Pros and Cons of each will guide you in deciding which one is best for you.
Manual breast pumps
Manual breast pumps are hand-operated. They are quiet and portable for the occasional expressing of milk and offer mums greater control over the pumping process, as they can adjust the suction and speed of the pump. They can also double as milk letdown catchers — while you’re breastfeeding on one breast, they collect milk leaking on the other breast simultaneously.
Manual breast pumps are affordable and easy to use; however, they can be hard work if you use them frequently as you have to keep pumping the handle to create the vacuum. It takes a lot of effort to pump milk with a manual breast pump, and it can cause hand fatigue.
Electric Breast Pumps
Electric breast pumps feature an electric-powered motor that expresses the milk automatically. They are quick and comfortable to use and are best for mums who need to express a significant amount of breast milk each day. For mothers who are abundant in supply, an electric breast pump can help to fully empty the breasts to avoid breastfeeding problems like mastitis. It can even help those with low milk supply, as extra stimulation can help in milk production.
Most electric breast pumps, like the Eonian Care Smart Double Electric Breast Pump, come with tubing and flanges that make simultaneous pumping possible, while a manual breast pump can only handle one breast at a time. They also offer a range of pumping modes and suction strength settings, so you can customise the pump to your specific need.
When shopping for electric breast pumps, it’s best to choose one with a quiet motor so as not to disturb your bub and other people when expressing milk. Eonian Care’s breast pump is super quiet at less than 45 decibels when pumping, so you can even express milk at work without worry. Other features like rechargeable batteries, neck straps, and handy USB cables also allow you to pump on the go.
Because they pump milk quickly and efficiently, electric breast pumps are less time consuming, which can be beneficial for busy mums who need to balance breastfeeding with other tasks. Keep in mind that electric breast pumps can be more expensive than manual breast pumps. Considering their many helpful features, however, the additional expense is definitely worth it.
When choosing a breast pump, mums need to learn their specific needs and preferences as nursing mothers. If you think you’ll only need to pump occasionally, a manual breast pump might be for you; but if you want to maximise flexibility throughout your breastfeeding journey, you may want the ease of use of an electric breast pump. The key is to listen to your needs so you can provide the best possible care for your baby! In the end, there is really no right or wrong answer, and it is important to consider the Breast Pump Pros and Cons and what is the best fit for you, for your baby, and your lifestyle.