Types of Breast Pumps: How to Choose

The Office on Women's Health says manual breast pumps are hand-operated devices you power with your hand and wrist, ¹ while electric breast pumps run on battery power or plug into an electrical outlet. ¹ The CDC says there are many breast pumps available and many factors to weigh when choosing, and that a lactation support provider can help. ² Below is what recognised health bodies say about the types and how to choose, quoted and linked.

Key takeaways

• The Office on Women's Health says manual pumps are powered by your hand and wrist. ¹
• The Office on Women's Health says electric pumps run on battery or plug in ¹ and can pump one breast or both at once. ¹
• The CDC says hand expression is useful when breasts feel extra full or when a pump is not available. ²
• The Office on Women's Health says most insurance plans must cover the cost of a breast pump. ¹

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

What are the types of breast pumps?

The Office on Women's Health says manual breast pumps are hand-operated devices you power with your hand and wrist, ¹ and lists some considerations for them: they require practice, skill and coordination, ¹ may put you at higher risk of breast infection, ¹ and are useful for occasional pumping if you are away from your baby only once in a while. ¹ It says electric breast pumps run on battery power or plug into an electrical outlet, ¹ and that an electric pump can express one breast at a time or both breasts simultaneously. ¹ Alongside pumps, the CDC says hand expression can be helpful when your breasts feel extra full, or if you do not have access to a manual or electric breast pump. ²

What is double pumping?

The Office on Women's Health says double pumping - pumping both breasts at the same time - may collect more milk in less time, which is helpful if you are going back to work or school full-time. ¹

How do I choose a pump?

The CDC says there are many breast pumps available and many factors to weigh when choosing the best one, and that a lactation support provider can help. ² On access and cost, the Office on Women's Health says you can rent an electric pump from a lactation consultant at a hospital or from a breastfeeding organization, ¹ and that most insurance plans must cover the cost of a breast pump. ¹

Keeping a pump clean

Two hygiene steps sit right alongside the pumping advice. The Office on Women's Health says to wash your hands with soap and water before you pump, ¹ and to make sure the area where you are pumping and your pump parts and bottles are clean. ¹

Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of breast pumps?

The Office on Women's Health describes manual pumps (hand and wrist) ¹ and electric pumps (battery or plug-in); ¹ the CDC adds hand expression as an option. ²

What is double pumping?

The Office on Women's Health says pumping both breasts at once, which may collect more milk in less time. ¹

Does insurance cover a breast pump?

The Office on Women's Health says most insurance plans must cover the cost of a breast pump. ¹

How do I keep a pump clean?

The Office on Women's Health says to wash your hands before pumping and to make sure the area, pump parts and bottles are clean. ^{1 1}

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.

Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.

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Sources

1. Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov). https://womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk (retrieved 2026-07-10).
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).