Let me start off by saying that I love my electric breast pump and that this manual breast pump is not replacing it but rather acting as its sidekick. While an electric pump is quicker and easier than using a manual breast pump there are circumstances where the manual pump is much more convenient. When I’m home an electric breast pump is definitely what I use for pumping in between feedings or if Mason is sleeping and I need to empty myself because my breasts are too full and are staring to hurt. But when I’m out and about, it’s a lot to lug around (even if you get the one that has it’s own carrying bag, you’re now the bag lady with your purse, diaper bag, and breast pump bag…too much for me!) so I was happy to get Dr. Brown’s manual breast pump to use. I know I’ve said before that I’m not all the comfortable breastfeeding in public well I’ve got an update for you, I’ve finally gotten over my insecurities/fears around breastfeeding in public and have come across times when I just needed to do it. I still find more private places to nurse Mason but it’s a step in the right direction. When I’m not wearing an outfit appropriate for breastfeeding I bring along bottles of my milk that I have pumped before and so throughout the day need to pump since Mason isn’t feeding from the boob but the bottle. And for those times that I’m without Mason and I’m out long enough that I need to pump, I am so happy to have my manual pump.
Dr. Brown’s manual breast pump is really easy to use and is gentle. That may sound weird when describing a breast pump but the breastcup is super soft and flexible for the utmost comfort and helps to minimize tugging and pinching. I feel like the handle isn’t too hard making it easier to extract milk for longer periods of time because my hand doesn’t start cramping. Honestly, it’s a lifesaver to have something that’s small enough to fit in my carry-all bag in comparison to having a separate bag just to hold my pump and attachments. It’s nice to have on a day trip with the family. If we’re going wine tasting and have bottles of my milk for Mason to drink then the manual pump is great for relieving my breasts to pump and dump. All the parts fit into my small insulated bag so after I’m done pumping, if I’m keeping the breastmilk, I can store it in the bag while I’m out and I don’t have to worry about it going bad. Even if I’m not going to keep the breastmilk, I just like that all the pieces can fit nicely into one discrete bag.
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This post was written in partnership with Dr. Brown’s. As always the opinions expressed in this post are my own and not that of the company.
