How To Use a Manual Breast Pump

Manual breast pumps can be a great tool for breastfeeding parents. Learn how to use a manual breast pump in nine simple steps.

Breastfeeding and chestfeeding parents who want to pump can choose between two main types of breast pumps: manual and electric. An electric pump uses a motor to pump your breast; with a manual breast pump, you do the work by pumping the device with your hand.

In the US, about 85% of lactating parents express milk in the first four months after birth. Most use a breast pump. Even so, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to pumping breast milk that works for everyone. So, it is important to choose the right breast pump for you and learn how to use it correctly.

Read on to learn how to use a manual breast pump and how to decide whether it's the right pumping device for you.

How To Use a Manual Breast Pump

Already sold on using a manual breast pump or just curious about how to use one? Follow these instructions from Polly Kocher, IBCLC, an international board-certified lactation consultant with the Central Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force, for using a manual breast pump safely and effectively.

The Basic Steps for Using a Manual Breast Pump

  1. Read the instruction manual for your model.
  2. Wash your hands and all pump parts.
  3. Find a private, relaxing space.
  4. Place the assembled breast shield on your breast.
  5. Begin pumping.
  6. Mimic a baby's sucking pattern.
  7. Switch breasts.
  8. Disassemble and clean the pump.
  9. Store your expressed milk safely or feed your baby.

Ready to get started? Read on for more details and tips for each of these steps.

1. Read and follow the instructions

First, read the instruction manual and familiarize yourself with your model. While all manual breast pumps work in basically the same way, there are some minor differences between brands. Reading the instructions can ensure you don't miss anything when you assemble the pump and can remind you of necessary disassembly and cleaning tips, too.

2. Wash your hands and ensure the pump is clean

Wash your hands and ensure all breast pump parts are clean. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants can get sick from breast milk that was contaminated by bacteria that grew on breast milk pump parts.

So, treat pumping as you would working with cooking surfaces. Clean your hands before pumping by washing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

3. Find a private, relaxing space

Find a private place where you can get comfortable and feel relaxed. Nipple stimulation, whether by your baby or a breast pump, signals your brain to release the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These work together to make and release milk through the milk ducts. Relaxation, warm compresses, and breast massage are all ways to encourage the milk letdown reflex.

Quick Tip

Having troubling getting the milk flowing? Think about your baby—or better yet, look at a photo or watch a video of them. Not only can it feel good (warm and fuzzies, anyone?), but it can also trigger the hormones that help release your milk.

4. Place the breast shield on your breast

Place the assembled breast shield on your breast. Make sure the shield is centered over the nipple. You'll know it's in the right place when there are no gaps for air to get in and you can get adequate suction when you begin pumping.

5. Begin pumping

Start with short, relatively quick pumps. Once you've started pumping, it may take a couple of minutes for the milk to start flowing. Your milk also takes a few minutes to let down when you're nursing, so don't be alarmed if you don't see it immediately when pumping.

6. Mimic a baby's sucking pattern

Once the milk is released, adjust the rate of pumping to make it inconsistent, similar to a baby's sucking motions: a few pumps; pause; a few more pumps; pause.

7. Switch breasts

Kocher recommends switching breasts about every five minutes. Make sure that each breast gets about 15 minutes of total stimulation. Don't worry if one breast produces more milk than the other; this is normal. Babies sometimes favor one side over the other, which can cause that breast to make more milk than the other.

8. Disassemble and clean the pump

When you've finished pumping, remove the breast shield. Carefully unscrew the bottle and place a cap on it to avoid spills. Wash any parts of the breast pump that have touched the breast or milk in warm, soapy water.

The CDC recommends using a dedicated wash basin that you only use for infant feeding equipment like pump parts and bottles. If you use a scrub brush, use one dedicated to cleaning infant feeding items. Rinse the parts thoroughly and then air dry. For extra germ removal, sanitize the pump parts by boiling them in water for five minutes, removing them with tongs, and air-drying.

9. Store your milk safely (or feed your baby)

According to the CDC, freshly expressed breast milk is safe at room temperature for up to four hours. Many people prefer to refrigerate it (or use it for a bottle feeding) right away. Refrigerated breast milk stays good for up to four days. When stored in a chest or upright deep freezer, the milk will keep for six to 12 months.

breast milk in fridge
Image Source/Corbis

Choosing the Right Breast Pump

Choosing the best breast pump type usually depends on how you will use the pump. Experts recommend the following:

  • Manual pump: If you only plan to pump occasionally
  • Personal electric pump: If you need to pump while at work or while traveling
  • Hospital-grade electric pump: If you need to manage or maintain your milk supply for extended periods, like with a premature baby or a sick baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

If you're still having trouble deciding on a manual versus an electric model, Kocher says to consider your cooking prep attitude: "I say, 'Do you cut up your own carrots, or do you buy the little ones already cut up?'"

"Think about what your personality is and how much process you want to put into something," she says. "If you thrive off efficiency and time-saving techniques, an electric breast pump may be right for you. But if you don't mind a little extra work—and if you're [pumping] only occasionally—a manual breast pump is probably your best bet."

The Pros and Cons of Manual Breast Pumps

Manual breast pumps are indeed less popular than electric ones, but Kocher says they have several advantages, some of which include:

  • They are cheaper, usually a small fraction of the cost of a top-of-the-line double electric breast pump.
  • They are highly portable, small, and lightweight with fewer parts than many electric options.
  • They are convenient and don't require charging, batteries, or access to electricity.
  • They are quieter than electric options.
  • They are handy for those who don't frequently pump or as a backup.

The downsides of manual breast pumps include:

  • They are time-consuming as they can only remove and collect breast milk from one breast at a time.
  • They are not hands-free; you need both hands to effectively operate the pump.
  • They are not as efficient as an electric breast pump.
  • They are not intended for ongoing separation or exclusive pumping.
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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Which breast pump for which mother: an evidence-based approach to individualizing breast pump technologyJ Perinatol. 2016.

  2. Frequently asked questions on breast pump cleaningCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023.

  3. How breast milk is madeU.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC Breastfeeding Support. n.d.

  4. How to keep your breast pump clean. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023.

  5. Proper storage and preparation of breast milk. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022.

  6. Patient education: Pumping breast milk (beyond the basics). UpToDate. 2023.

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