
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Lansinoh is one of the most well-known brands and leaders in breastfeeding products. Founded in 1984 by a breastfeeding mom, Lansinoh launched its lanolin product designed to soothe sore nipples.
Efficiency
For a manual pump up against electric options, this pump offers impressive efficiency for its class.
The Lanoish consistently expressed 0.28 oz of milk per minute with a solid latch. It produced 5.5 oz of milk after 20 minutes, though in fairness, few parents will want to squeeze the handle for 20 minutes straight. The pressure gauge reading was 200 mmHg, which is lower than the company's claim of 250 mmHg. Also, efficiency here is primarily based on your effort. The energy you exert to physically pump can lower efficiency as your hand gets tired. Our tester stated, “I really struggled toward the end and can't imagine trying to do this while sleepy or at work.”
Comfort
This pump provides average comfort compared to the competition, with a dual-phase design, including the letdown and expression modes, and two flange sizes (25 mm and 30.5 mm).
With the Lanoish, you have control over the pumping rhythm and suction strength, allowing customization of the pump's settings to match your needs. However, it doesn't offer the range of suction levels in electric pumps.
Ease of Use
The Lansinoh is very user-friendly, with no interface to navigate.
It does have some drawbacks to consider. It requires using your hand and arm muscles, and this level of effort may not work for everyone, especially those with physical limitations. Also, the pump is designed for single-breast pumping, so it takes longer to empty both breasts in a pumping session compared to an electric double pump.
Portability
The Lansinoh manual pump excels at portability. It's incredibly lightweight (0.3 lbs) and small.
It's also relatively quiet; only the lever creates a noise as it hits the bottle, but it's not loud. These features aid in a discreet, stress-free pumping experience.
Hygiene
The Lansinoh is super easy to keep clean and assembly, with a closed system design that is not complicated to wash or setup.
It has four main parts to wash. We appreciate that the wide-mouth bottle makes it easy to scrub, and a standard bottle brush can help get the job done. The pump parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, though we prefer handwashing plastic. Replacement parts are available on the manufacturer's website, and it's best to follow the user manual regarding when and how often they should be replaced. Overall, with fewer parts to clean and maintain in this system, it's less time-consuming to keep this pump hygienic.
Should You Buy the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump?
We like the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump. While it may not be the go-to for daily, frequent use or to increase milk supply, it's great for those moments when you're away from the baby, such as on vacation or date night. So, if you are comfortable with the manual effort and pumping one breast at a time, we think this option brings value. Plus, it's affordable.
What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?
If you prefer simultaneous pumping for both breasts to optimize time and energy, you may want to consider an electric double breast pump. The Spectra S1 Plus is our favorite pump, and it's reliable and highly efficient. If you're seeking a budget-friendly option, the Baby Buddha is an electric pump that's efficient, portable, and more affordable. If you aren't looking to gather or store milk for later use but need something for leaks and engorgement, consider the Haakaa Gen 1, a pump that takes a passive letdown approach using suction. This could be appealing to some moms who prefer manual pumps, and it also serves well for occasional assistance with leaking or engorgement.