Categories: Breastfeeding, Pumping
March 24, 2025
Last updated on March 24, 2025
When you picture a breast pump, what comes to mind first? Chances are, it’s not a manual pump – also known as a hand pump. If you are exploring pump options now vs. 20+ years ago, electric pumps likely dominate your thoughts. While manual pumps often end up in the shadows to their electric counterparts, they can be incredibly useful for supporting your lactation journey!
What is a Manual Breast Pump?
A manual pump, also known as a hand pump, is a non-electric, single pump used for expressing milk. Using a lever or squeeze handle to create suction, the “motor” of the pump is your hand! Manual pumps often fall into three main categories:
- Traditional all-in-one – Includes everything you need to operate the pump and collect your milk.
- Handle-only add-on – A detachable handle that can be used with or in place of other parts from the same manufacturer’s other pump models.
- Silicone: A one-piece setup that uses passive and/or active milk collection.
Why Choose a Manual Pump?
- Control – You get to be the motor, setting the pace and strength of the suction, depending on how fast, slow, hard, or soft you use the lever/handle. There are no predefined options, so you can truly follow your body’s lead!
- Cost – With fewer parts, manual pumps are budget-friendly, typically costing between about $10-$35.
- Battery/motor free – No need to worry about an outlet, charging, or replacing batteries because you are the motor! No power? No problem!
- Size – Most are single-sided (for use on one side of the chest at a time in place of pumping both sides at once) and take up very little space. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to clean, making them a great choice for travel or on-the-go pumping.
Does Flange Fit Still Matter?
Yes, absolutely! The size of the flange is just as important with manual pumps! A proper fit is key to your comfort and milk output.
Do Manual Pumps Have A Warranty?
Manual and silicone pumps are often classified as accessories, meaning their return policies or guarantee warranties are usually shorter than a typical electric breast pump warranty (which typically last 1 to 2 years). Depending on the brand, warranties for manual and silicone pumps often range from 14 to 90 days.
Should a Manual Pump Be Your Only Pump?
There is no real “should”- it depends on you, your needs, lifestyle, and preferences! Many parents use a manual pump as a back-up to an electric pump, or for the added flexibility, making them a great tool in certain situations (think power outages, battery failures, or when an electric pump isn’t as practical).
How Do You Use a Manual Pump?
Using a manual pump will follow the same general pattern as an electric pump:
- Start by stimulating your milk to flow, with fast, light squeezes on the pump’s handle or lever. This mimics a baby’s natural suck rhythm.
- Once your milk is flowing and you’ve had a let down, switch to slower, stronger or longer squeezes of the handle.
- If double pumping, switch sides once milk flow slows or stops, or whenever you are ready move to the other side.
Each manual pump model may be slightly different in how they function. For example, the Medela Harmony Manual Pump handle has two levers for different pumping phases:
- Top (shorter) lever: stimulates your milk to flow with shorter and faster squeezes.
- Bottom (extended) lever: has a wider angle from the pump base, helping with longer, slower pulls/squeezes.
Other brands will often have a single handle/lever that allows you to create both patterns.
What About Silicone Pumps and Collection Devices?
Silicone pumps and collection devices are similar to manual pumps but function quite differently. While they share key features such as being motor-free, battery-free, and typically more affordable, their fit and how they are used can vary.
There are two main use-case scenarios with silicone pumps:
- Passive Milk Collection – Capturing milk drips that naturally occur without additional stimulation like chest massage or suction. This type of collection usually occurs while nursing or pumping on the opposite side.
- Active Milk Collection – Controlling the breast in a way to encourage more milk release and collection, typically by applying suction.
Passive collection does not stimulate milk production, while active collection (using suction) can impact your milk supply.
The Haakaa shown above, is an example of a silicone option that can either passively collect milk or actively apply suction to the breast for more milk removal, depending on how it is positioned.
Does Fit matter for Silicone Pumps?
When it comes to fitting silicone pumps and collection devices, your comfort is most important. Unlike a manual or electric pump, silicone pumps pull in the breast tissue, areola, and nipple as part of the suction process, and they do not have different flange/cup/shield sizes. If you are experiencing pain while using any silicone options, please contact an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) before continuing use.
The number of options for expressing milk continues to grow! Deciding what to use is deeply personal. While electric pumps remain the most common, manual and silicone pumps are affordable, accessible, and are certainly worth trying.
Watch Our Video!
For a complete visual guide on manual and silicone pump use and helpful tips, check out our video here.