https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:49:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406896 Fri, 01 Jan 2016 20:33:36 +0000 delight 2406896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved my medela manual. For some reason it always seemed to produce more milk. I used my single electric too but would just as often use the manual. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406780 Fri, 01 Jan 2016 18:35:00 +0000 PurplePeony 2406780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never wanted a manual pump until late in the game...DD is still nursing at 2, and I travel occasionally for work, and it's a total PITA to bring along the doible electric when all I ever really need to do now is relieve a little pressure (I'm not looking to keep up my supply at this point, I'd actually prefer her to wean but she's not into that, but I can't get engorged and leaky when I'm on business travel and that still happens after about 36 hours without BFing). But I haven't wanted to spend money on a manual pump at this stage. If I'd gotten one early on, though, I absolutely would have used it these past few trips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406492 Fri, 01 Jan 2016 10:36:11 +0000 youboots 2406492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took it whenever we traveled for the first 9 months. Now T never sleeps long enough for me to get engorged. They are not that expensive and I only used it a handful of times but it was way easier than lugging my big pump around just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406333 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 21:15:24 +0000 Mama Bird 2406333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very helpful! I only used the manual a handful of times, but it was in situations where there's no way I could have used the electric. Like if I had to go somewhere with only regular bathroom stalls (no outlets) for work, or the two times when I took an all day exam in a college gym (same deal with the bathrooms). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406226 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:02:43 +0000 SweetCaroline 2406226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got one for air travel and I left it at work just in case I forgot anything for my electric pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406225 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:02:39 +0000 MrsADS 2406225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never actually used mine yet but I am glad I have it. I bought it for...<br /> -- travel. We recently flew with baby, who was nursing but you never know (didn't want to haul manual pump)<br /> - going to put in my work bag in addition to the electric - if the electric dies or I forget my tubes at home or something!<br /> - what if the power goes out at home and I can't use my electric</p> <p>These are a few of the reasons. I am happy I have it even if I never use it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406221 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:56:39 +0000 gracecat 2406221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think just the size of the whole package of the double electric in a bag and all the bottles and accessories was a bit much if I needed to pump away from my usual pumping space (at home) where I kept the whole lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406220 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:56:28 +0000 hellobeeboston 2406220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought a single manual and took it out of the box then NEVER used it. So I say No. But actually, if anyone wants a Medela manual you can have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406218 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:54:17 +0000 mrsjazz 2406218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I forgot my pump a few times and had to run out to buy a manual. I kept that at my desk just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406217 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:52:57 +0000 mrsrain 2406217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up buying one later on when LO went through a phase of not wanting to nurse when she was distracted. Helped take the pain away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406213 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:48:15 +0000 ShootingStar 2406213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never really liked or used my manual pump. I found it easier to hand express or use my double electric. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406188 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:52:59 +0000 DesertDreams88 2406188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad I asked, it seems pretty split! I already bought one back in November, but I never un-boxed it and I was thinking of returning it to Amazon to get some money back. I think I'll keep it now, though - it seems pretty convenient based on the situations most of you described above, especially when you only need to pump for a little bit or maybe just pump one side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406175 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:42:31 +0000 Pumuckl 2406175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a double electric with my first and didn't have a manual. I regretted it and got one with my second. And was really glad I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406173 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:41:58 +0000 Keybee 2406173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hospital gave me one and I've used it a few times. I keep it in the diaper bag, I've pumped in the car a couple of times because she sleeps through feelings when we are out and about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406171 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:40:33 +0000 Charm54 2406171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EPed and only had a need for an electric. I never dealt with oversupply issue sthough </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406168 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:35:13 +0000 BananaPancakes 2406168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought it was extremely helpful in those first few weeks, especially when my milk came in initially. I was one of those people who got insanely engorged until my milk regulated, and I had to pump a little for the baby to be able to latch. And the manual was nice for that because I felt like I could control the pressure easier. And sometimes I had to get into a hot shower with it to get my engorgement to back off, so I wouldn't have been able to do that with the electric. They're so cheap, I'd recommend getting one just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406156 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:16:12 +0000 artsyfartsy 2406156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an electric double pump for work and for regular use but I kept a handheld manual in the diaper bag. It came in handy a few times in a pinch. I hated it though. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406155 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:16:12 +0000 travellingbee 2406155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought a cheap one once but I can't remember why. I don't even know where it is so I clearly didn't use it much. If ever. I'd just wait and see if you have need. They are easy enough to pick up if you decide you want one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406151 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:04:59 +0000 Boopers 2406151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a manual in addition to my double electric. I'm a teacher (which I know you are too), and I nurse in the morning between 5:30 and 6:00 and don't pump at work until 10:00. My LO doesn't totally drain me in the morning so if I don't pump the extra milk out with my manual in the morning then I'm way too engorged by 10:00. I tried using the double electric after nursing in the morning before going to work, but it was so much of a hassle unpacking my bag, pumping, then putting everything away and making sure not to forget anything so I could pump at work. It is far easier for me to hand pump the extra milk out and keep my pumping bag packed. I never take my hand pump to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406100 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 16:06:58 +0000 shellio 2406100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used the manual exactly once, when DH and I went to a playoff football game. (Couldn't turn down free tickets, even with a 3 week old!) It was useful in that situation but I'm on baby #3 now and haven't used it any other time. </p> <p>BTW, I was visiting my sister in the hospital after she had a baby and we were talking about manual pumps and the nurse brought her one, wasn't "free" because the insurance was surely billed a million bucks for it, but she didn't pay for it. So maybe hold off and ask about it in the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406088 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 15:55:08 +0000 mamabolt 2406088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found a manual helpful in the first weeks when I just wanted enough for a single bottle or to take the edge off. After I went back to work I left it there in case I ever had an issue with my electric pump or forgot a part BC I had a long commute and no stores nearby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406069 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 15:28:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2406069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only had a double electric but wanted a manual a few times- when I was traveling and there was a chance I would need to pump but not a high likelihood, when I was going to a wedding and just wanted to pump enough to take the edge off, not necessarily do a full pump, and if the baby actually slept a long time and I woke up super engorged. I never did get one last time but I think I will use my insurance benefit for one this time for those types of situations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/manual-pump-even-if-you-have-an-electric#post-2406068 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 15:24:06 +0000 DesertDreams88 2406068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you find it helpful to have a manual pump in addition to an electric pump, for some situations? Like, what situations? </p>