Electric vs. Manual Breast Pumps

There are many styles and models of breast pumps, but they fall into two main categories: manual (which you operate by hand) and electric (or battery-powered). While some women use both — one to pack for short trips, the other for the bulk of their pumping, for example — most moms strongly prefer one or the other. Which you'll like better is hard to predict. To help you make an educated guess, here are some pros and cons from breast pump users:

Manual Breast Pumps

Moms who prefer manual breast pumps point to their simplicity and convenient size. Many also say that manual pumps feel more natural and more closely mimic a baby's sucking. And they like being able to control the suction manually. Hand pumps are generally more affordable, smaller, lighter, and quieter than electric pumps. And if you like to pump on one side while your baby is nursing on the other, he'll probably prefer the quiet of a manual to the noise of an electric.

On the downside, while some moms get the knack of speedy manual pumping, others find manual pumps maddeningly slow. (It depends to some degree on how fast the pump handle can be squeezed.) Some moms have trouble getting any milk at all with hand pumps. Others say that hand pumps don't completely empty their breasts, which can lead to a lowered milk supply. And some moms say their hands get tired pumping, too.

Electric Breast Pumps

Ease and efficiency are the strengths of electric breast pumps. Moms who pump often — to provide breast milk exclusively after returning to work or to feed twins, for example — usually opt for the increase in production offered by an electric or battery-powered pump. Most offer the option of pumping both breasts at the same time.

The drawbacks? Electric models can be more cumbersome and noisy than most manual pumps, though some models are surprisingly compact and quiet. As for the noisy ones, well, it's hard to be discreet with an electric motor roaring at your breasts!

Whichever kind of breast pump you decide on, it's a good idea to get it well before you plan to return to work or leave your baby with a sitter. In fact, because many babies will refuse a bottle offered later, it's best to start pumping and introduce a bottle as soon as breastfeeding is established, when your baby's around 3 or 4 weeks old.

• Choosing A Breast Pump
• Using a Breast Pump
• Breast Pumping Tips