Manual Breast Pump: Lever vs Silicone Pumps and How to Use One

Not everyone needs a big electric pump. If you mostly breastfeed and only want a bottle now and then, relief from fullness, or a pump that fits in your diaper bag, a manual breast pump may be all you need.

Manual pumps are simple, quiet and inexpensive, but there are two quite different kinds, and each suits a different job. Here’s how they work, how to choose and how to use one well.

How a manual breast pump works

Every breast pump creates a seal around your nipple and applies and releases suction to draw milk out. The FDA describes manual pumps as pumps where a handle or lever is squeezed to create suction. You supply the power, so you also control the speed and rhythm.

There are two main types.

Lever (hand) pumps

A lever pump has a flange (breast shield), a pump body with a valve, a handle you squeeze and a bottle that catches the milk. Each squeeze creates suction; each release lets milk flow into the bottle.

Cleveland Clinic notes that manual pumps are low-cost, need no electricity or batteries and are easy to carry. They let you control the pace and rhythm, but sessions take longer and most pump one breast at a time.

Silicone suction pumps

These are one-piece silicone bottles that you squeeze, place over your nipple and release. The pump then holds a gentle, steady suction. Many people use them on one breast while the baby feeds on the other, to catch milk from the let-down.

The University of Reading’s guide to breast pumps notes that some mothers get a good amount of milk this way, especially when they lean forward and gently massage the breast, while others get very little. It describes them as well suited to releasing some pressure without trying to get as much milk out as possible, and as easy to clean.

One caution: Cleveland Clinic suggests checking with your provider before using a silicone collection device if you already have an oversupply, because removing extra milk can signal your body to make more.

A style to skip

The FDA notes that some experts discourage “bicycle horn” pumps, the kind with a rubber bulb, because they can be hard to clean and dry. La Leche League International (LLLI) also says this style is no longer recommended.

Lever vs silicone vs electric: which one fits?

	Lever pump	Silicone suction pump	Double electric pump
Power source	Your hand	Steady suction you set once	Motor, outlet or battery
Effort	Moderate, hand can tire	Low	Low
Speed	Slower, one breast at a time	Passive, during feeds	Fastest, both breasts at once
Noise	Quiet	Silent	Some motor noise
Best for	Occasional bottles, travel, backup	Catching let-down, easing fullness	Daily pumping, work, exclusive pumping

LLLI suggests manual pumps for occasional pumping, and a double electric pump if you’re away from your baby for 8 hours or more or pump three or more times a day. If you’re pumping for every feed, read our guide to exclusive pumping before choosing equipment.

A manual pump also makes a smart backup. The FDA points out that a manual pump can help you keep up your pumping schedule during an emergency or power outage.

How to use a manual pump step by step

1. Wash your hands and make sure the pump parts are clean and assembled.
2. Get comfortable. Sit somewhere warm and relaxed. Looking at a photo of your baby can help your let-down.
3. Massage your breast for a few minutes first. The NHS says this helps the let-down reflex.
4. Center your nipple in the flange so it can move freely in the tunnel without rubbing.
5. Squeeze the handle at a steady, comfortable pace. The NHS notes that milk may take a few minutes to start flowing, so give it time before you change anything.
6. Switch breasts when the flow slows, then go back. The NHS notes that one breast may make more milk than the other.
7. Break the seal gently by slipping a finger between your breast and the flange.
8. Cap, label and store the milk with the date. Freshly expressed milk keeps up to 4 hours at room temperature (77°F [25°C] or colder) and up to 4 days in the fridge. See how long breast milk lasts in the fridge for details.

If your hand tires, switch hands or take a short break. Pumping should never be painful.

What to look for in a manual pump

We don’t rank brands, but these features make a real difference:

• Flange size options. Many pumps come with one standard size, which doesn’t fit everyone. Use our flange size calculator to find your starting size, then check that the pump offers it or accepts inserts.
• A comfortable handle that you can squeeze many times without strain.
• Few, simple parts that come apart fully for cleaning.
• Bottle compatibility, so you can pump straight into a bottle or storage container.
• Replaceable valves and membranes, since these small parts wear out and affect suction.
• Single-user design. The FDA considers breast pumps single-user devices unless they’re designed for multiple users, so buy your own rather than borrowing.

How to clean a manual pump

Manual pumps are easy to clean because there’s no tubing or motor, but milk can collect in the valve and handle joints. The CDC recommends:

• Taking the pump apart after every use and rinsing every part that touched milk under running water
• Washing in a basin used only for feeding items, with dish soap, or in the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows it, rather than directly in the sink
• Air-drying completely on a clean towel or paper towel instead of rubbing parts dry
• Sanitizing at least once a day by steaming, boiling for 5 minutes or using a dishwasher’s sanitize setting, especially for babies under 2 months, preterm babies or babies with weakened immune systems

Replace any part that’s cracked, stretched or shows mold.

Manual pump or hand expression?

If you don’t have a pump with you, hand expression works too, and it costs nothing. Many people use both: hand expression in the first days for small amounts of colostrum, and a manual pump later for occasional bottles. Our guide to hand expressing breast milk walks you through it.

When to call a lactation consultant

Reach out to an IBCLC or your doctor if:

• Pumping is painful, or your nipples are sore, cracked or bleeding
• You get very little milk despite good fit and technique
• Your breasts stay hard and painful after pumping, which may be engorgement or a clogged duct
• You’re not sure whether a manual pump can meet your needs

For more on choosing equipment and planning sessions, explore our pumping guides.