Types of Manual Breast Pumps
Breast pumps are medical devices which are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are used by women to reduce engorgement, relieve a plugged duct or remove milk from the breasts while away from the baby. Although electric and battery powered breast pumps are usually more efficient and successful at removing milk, some women may find that manual pumps are more comfortable and convenient.
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Horn Style
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Bicycle horn style pumps used to be popular manual pumps in the 1970s, but according to the FDA, are not recommended by lactation experts for use. These pumps operate by squeezing a large rubber bulb that looks like a bicycle horn, which produces suction on the breast to release milk. The bulbs can collect milk inside of the rubber and grow bacteria, and the suction is difficult to control, can damage the milk ducts and inefficiently empty the breast, resulting in plugged ducts or a decrease in milk supply.
Single Hand
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Many manual breast pumps are operated with one hand and are termed "single hand" pumps, according to La Leche League. These pumps include a handle that is squeezed with one hand while holding the other part centered against the nipple. Single hand pumps are usually small and are quiet to use, but may cause the hand and arm to tire and may not remove enough milk from the breast, resulting in a decreased milk supply.
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Double Hand
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According to La Leche League, double hand pumps are manual pumps that can be used one in each hand to pump both breasts at the same time. These kind of pumps have the speed and amount of suction controlled by the strength and frequency of squeezing on the handles by the woman. Double pumps are faster at removing milk and promote a better let down reflex which can result in a good milk supply.
Pedal Pumps
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Pedal pumps use the mother's foot to control the speed and amount of suction. These are still considered to be manual pumps, because they requires physical action on the part of the mother in order to extract the milk. These types of pumps may be good for women who have problems with their hands or wrists that make it difficult for them to operate hand pumps to empty their breasts.
Hand Expression
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For women who need to extract milk but are unsuccessful with manual or powered breast pumps, or who are in a situation where using breast pumps is not an option, hand expression of milk may be an alternative. According to La Leche League, manual expression of milk is a technique that can be done with simple hand motions. Although the woman's hand is not technically a pump, the pumping action of the hand can perform the same type of extraction of milk from the breast without the noise, cost or discomfort of mechanical pumps.
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