If you are a mom who needs to pump milk for your baby, but have low supply and need some help with making more milk, this blog post will help you choose the best manual breast pumps for low milk supply.
If you’re struggling with low supply, then you know that it’s hard it can be to breastfeed. Manual breast pumps are great for this situation because they allow moms to express milk manually and save it in bottles so they can give their baby the nutrition he or she needs.
The best breast pump for low milk supply is always going to be an electric breast pump. But there are a number of reasons why you may be considering getting a manual breast pump to help increase your milk supply.
Electric pumps typically have lots of cables and tubing and make a bit of noise. The best ones generally aren’t very portable, so a manual pump could come in handy to have in your bag while you are out of the house and unable to access your breast pump.
Another reason might be that the suction on an electric pump is too strong for you and causing you pain. In this instance, a manual or silicone breast pump might be helpful for you.
And finally, electric breast pumps can be cost-prohibitive. If you want to produce more milk they are best in class. And while they are amazing at increasing the amount of milk, they are significantly more expensive. Luckily, manual breast pumps will still help you to express milk and increase your milk supply in the same way as electric pumps.
Click here to see the top rated manual breast pump for low supply at Amazon!
Manual breast pumps come in different sizes and styles so there is sure to be one that suits your needs – whether you need something discreet at work or at home, or if you’re looking for something more powerful.
With so many products out there it can be hard to know which one is right for you! We’ll break down the different styles of manual pumps and what they’re best used for. Hopefully, by the end of reading this article, we can narrow down your choices and help make it easier on both you and your baby!
Table of Contents
How to Quickly Increase Breast Milk Supply
There are many reasons why moms have difficulty producing enough milk. If you feel that you are not making enough milk for your baby it is important to see a lactation consultant to find out if you have a physical reason for your low supply.
However, for most breastfeeding moms, increasing breast milk is about supply and demand. That means that you need to ensure that your milk is being removed from your body. This is where a breast pump comes in handy!
The first step is always to breastfeed more. Beyond that, you can use a manual breast pump to increase supply.
By pumping extra milk, you will trick your body into thinking that your baby is demanding more milk, and your supply will naturally increase.
Best Manual Breast Pump For Low Milk Supply Quick Guide
Here is a quick guide to the top 5 manual breast pumps on Amazon. Click the links to check the best price and read more reviews. Otherwise, keep scrolling to see our full reviews below.
- Medela Harmony
- Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump
- Philips Avent
- Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump
- Haakaa ladybug
Top Manual Breast Pumps For Low Milk Supply Comparison
Manual Breast Pump for Low Supply Buying Guide
When considering buying a manual breast pump, there are a couple of different factors to think about before deciding which manual pump is for you. For instance – are you searching for a hands free pump or a silicone manual breast pump? Is it important to you that your pump is compatible with your bottles?
Here are some of the main things to think about:
Types of Manual Pump
Levered Hand Pump
Probably the first breast pump that comes to mind when you think of a manual pump is a lever-style pump. These are hand-operated by a lever that applies suction to the breast through flanges. They have plenty of pros and cons:
- Easily operated by hand
- Cheaper than electric pumps
- Easy to transport
- No electricity needed
Silicone Pump
Silicone pumps are relatively new inventions. Made from food grade silicone, they allow you to apply gentle suction to your breast and catch any leftover milk after feeding. You can also use them on the opposite breast while you are breastfeeding to catch any extra milk.
- Cheaper than hand pumps
- Not as good at encouraging milk production
- Soft on nipples
Milk Catchers
Silicone breast milk catchers are a great product to help you get as much milk as possible. Like Silicone breast pumps, they are made from food grade silicone. They sit in your bra in between feeds to catch any milk that would normally be lost to your clothes or a breast pad. The best ones apply gentle suction to encourage let down.
- Gentle suction that may not help with low supply
- Can be worn all day
- Completely hands free
Materials and plastics
It’s an important factor to check that anything that will touch your breast milk is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free. These plastics can cause hormone disruption in your children which is the last thing that you want in your breast milk.
Bottles and storage
Some breast pumps come with bottles that can be used to store milk, while for others you will need to buy a separate storage container for your expressed milk.
Cleaning and Washability
Something that is often skipped when thinking about breast pumps is how easy they are to take apart and clean. It’s worthwhile checking how your manual pump needs to be cleaned as most can’t be put in the dishwasher.
Size and Weight
an obvious feature to consider is your breast pump’s size and weight. It is worth noting that the smallest is not necessarily the best breast pump. If you are planning to take your manual pump with you in a handbag or diaper bag, you will need to make sure that you have enough space. There are some manual pumps on this list that are small enough to fit into your bra.
Comfort
I definitely recommend getting a manual pump that is easy to use and comfortable so that you will use it more often – this is the best way to increase your milk supply quickly.
Other features and accessories
Breast Flanges
The top manual pumps come with patented flanges which help to increase comfort and milk expression, which are a nice to have.
Milk Bottles and Teats
Some of the breast pumps featured on this list are compatible with milk bottles, so you can pump directly into a bottle to give to your baby. This saves on cleaning and is a handy feature.
Manual Breast Pump For Low Milk Supply Reviews
Medela Harmony Breast Pump
- 2-Phase Expression technology
- Soft-touch, ergonomic swivel handle makes manual pumping comfortable.
- Compatible with PersonalFit breast shields.
- All parts that come into contact with breast milk are made without BPA.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump Review
Rating: 9/10
Medela Harmony breast pump is a lightweight and discreet manual breast pump that is perfect to complement any Medela double electric breast pump.
It features 2-phase expression technology, which is a research-based and patented tech unique to encourage milk production by mimicking baby’s natural sucking pattern. For the manual, this effect is created by using different levers. This feature helps the breast pump to mimic the natural sucking pattern of your baby, to help you pump more milk in less time.
With it’s simple system and massage cushions, the Medela Harmony breast pump is a great option for increasing milk supply. You are able to pump one breast while breastfeeding on the other.
The package comes with two x150 ml breastmilk bottles with lids, a bottle stand, a valve and 2 membranes plus instruction a breastfeeding guide.
>> Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump
Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump Review
Rating: 9/10
The Lansinoh manual breast pump is lightweight, portable and ergonomic with an easy handle to reduce hand fatigue. It is the perfect size to carry in a handbag while traveling for pumping on the go.
This breast pump features 2 pumping modes and includes 2 flange sizes plus a natural wave nipple cap and collar. Let down mode is created by pushing on the top of the pump, while pumping the handles puts the pump into expression mode to maximizes milk collection.
The Lansinoh breast pumps allow you to pump directly into breast milk storage bags for extra convenience.
Cleaning is easy and simple. It is recommended to wash all parts by hand to extend their useful life. However, the flange, valve, diaphragm, bottle, handle, and bottle stand are dishwasher safe on the top shelf.
The breast pump is easy to assemble with just 7 parts so you can start pumping sooner. This popular manual pump is perfect for working moms who need to pump regularly and quietly.
>> Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Philips Avent Breast Pump Manual
Philips Avent Breast Pump Manual Review
Rating:
Released in late 2021, the new Philips AVENT Manual Breast Pump features natural motion technology which combines suction and nipple stimulation to encourage quick milk flow.
This breast pump comes with a soft silicone cushion which is gentle on breasts and adapts for fit size, reducing the need for different flange sizes.
The Compact and lightweight design of the Philips AVENT mean it is easy to hold and carry with you wherever you want or need to pump. Another brilliant feature of this breast pump is that it is designed to be used sitting upright, so you don’t need to lean forward to catch your mik.
You can pump directly into your Philips AVENT milk bottles, and a natural response nipple is included in the pack.
>> Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Haakaa Silicone
Haakaa Silicone Review
Rating: 8/10
What’s different about the Haakaa is it’s an innovative design that allows you to use natural suction to hold the pump to your breast and extract milk. There is no need for manual pumping, you just squeeze it once to initiate suction and let it be until it is finished.
The Haakaa pump is made from 100% BPA free, food grade silicone and is dishwasher safe, making cleaning up a breeze. It’s a super popular pump for working moms due to its ease of use and lack of cords and cables.
The Haakaa is easy to use and easy to clean with no parts other than the pump itself. You can wash it in the dishwasher or simply wash with soap and water. You can sterilize it by boiling in water for 2-3 minutes.
It comes with the pump itself and a spill lid. Extra parts are sold separately.
Read our review of the Haakaa here, or check out the hundreds of Haakaa Breast Pump reviews via the link to Amazon below and you’ll see that this best silicone breast pump has had thousands of rave reviews.
>> Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Haakaa ladybug Silicone Milk Collector
Haakaa ladybug Silicone Milk Collector Review
A creative option for increasing breast milk supply is to use silicone milk collectors. The Haakaa ladybug silicone milk collector is made by the same company that makes the Haakaa. The soft silicone is gentle on sore nipples, and it is a completely portable and wearable milk collector.
You apply the Haakaa Ladybug Silicone Milk Collector inside your bra to collect milk during the day – this is milk that would otherwise go to waste. Once you have finished, you remove the device and pour your milk into a bottle to give to your baby, or pop it in a storage bag to put in the freezer for later.
It’s a handy breast pump option for working moms because it’s completely hands free and can be worn throughout the day.
The Ladybug uses the same style of light suction as the Haakaa, but if you want to extract more milk you can the ladybug into your breast to create suction throughout the day. Like the Haakaa, it is made of 100% food grade silicone and is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free. It is dishwasher safe and sterilized by boiling in water for 2-3 minutes in between pumping sessions.
>> Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions about Manual Breast Pumps
Do you get more milk with a manual pump?
In most cases, you will get more milk using an electric pump. However, if you are struggling to produce with an electric pump, you may actually get more milk with a manual pump. Every mom is different, and sometimes having the extra adjustability of a manual pump may help you to make more milk.
Will hand pumping increase milk supply?
Yes! Anything that takes milk from the breast will increase your supply of breast milk because breast milk production is dictated by supply and demand. Taking more milk from the breast than using a silicone pump, manual pump or even hand expressing will increase milk production
Are manual breast pumps any good?
Manual breast pumps are an excellent choice for pumping because they are smaller, lighter and more affordable than electric breast pumps. Many moms find them more comfortable, too.
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