See what Mumsnetters think of Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pumps - £300 voucher prize draw for testers’ feedback! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 150 Mumsnetters who are trying the Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump.

Here's what Philips AVENT say, "When you are comfortable and relaxed, your milk flows more easily. That's why we created our most comfortable breast pump yet: Sit comfortably with no need to lean forwards and let our soft massage cushion gently stimulate your milk flow. The breast pump has a unique design, so your milk flows directly from your breast into the bottle, even when you are sitting up straight. The breast pump has a compact design, which makes it easy to position. Its ergonomically-shaped handle offers a comfortable hold and full control when expressing milk. Being small and lightweight means it is easy to store and transport, making pumping on-the-go more discreet."

More info on the pump here

Testers, please answer the questions below but do feel free to add any other comments you may have.

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

All testers who add their feedback to this thread, add a review on MN and complete the survey we sent you will be entered into a prize draw where one tester will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

[Ploy]

just to reassure people with large hands a and large breasts, I hAve both and this pump worked really well for me.

I think it is very individual which pump works for each woman, and as there is a high failure rate, I would love more information about the problems with using second hand pumps.

Not everyone Can afford to try three or four if they cost 20 + quid new.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the feedback - am pleased to say Dani240 wins the £300 Love2Shop voucher - well done!

[Mizzworthy1]

Q1 a manual breast pump operated by hand which pumps directly into a bottle. Small compact and light.

Q2 unfortunately not very. I think this would work best for smaller breasts than mine and think anything above a d cup might struggle... its a shame as I liked the feel of the comfort flange but I suppose they are made for average sized breasts rather than very large or small.

Q3 the pump itself is very easy to use.

Q4 as above this would depend on the breast size of the person asking.

Q5. Sadly not. I have passed it on to another mum to try. I wish this came with different sized flanges or at least the option to buy them.

[FindingNormal]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Compact manual single breast pump

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Very comfortable in the boob but the handle was quite small so when usin for a while my hand was a bit strained

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Really easy. Parts fit together easily and simply.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

Yes if they wanted a manual. Depends what they needed a pump for though as it wouldn't be a substitute for an electronic one for people who express a lot. I use mine for expressing milk for occasional bottle use (attempted- lo isn't keen!) or for cooking for my baby so I don't need huge amounts.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not
Yes absolutely.

[Cinnamon321]

Q1: it's a compact manual pump, which sells itself as being easy to use as you don't have to hunch over it like some other pumps.

Q2: It was reasonably comfortable on the breast and it's true you don't need to hunch over it. This made it possible to try expressing from one breast while feeding from the other, although when feeding in my usual lying down position (baby on my chest) some milk did leak.

The handle is tiny and repeatedly pumping is really uncomfortable. I could not keep going for long before my hand was cramping.

Q3: I was keen to try this pump as I have another brand electric pump and had not been successful with it. I tried the Phillips pump three times before giving up for the same reasons. I am able to pump just short of an ounce (this takes a while) before nothing more will come. I think this may be down to me or at least me with pumps rather than a specific issue with this brand and model. The fact it is a manual pump and it's not comfortable pumping the tiny handle did make it all the harder though.

Q3: I wouldn't recommend it based on my experience but I wouldn't dusuade others from trying it. I'd also recommend it for being a good pump to have on the go for example at work or to relieve engorged breasts as it's very compact.

Q5: I won't be using it as it seems I'm not a pumper pure and simple. Plus my hands are not tiny enough for this pump

[DulcetMoans]

So sorry for the delay!

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Compact manual breast pump that works seated in any position.


Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

It was very comfortable, I didn't feel any pulling as I pumped and the positioning of the grip and the handle suited the shape of the hand as you hold it.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

It was very easy to put together and use, once I worked out the handle clip. I did find the bottle became unscrewed too easily as I pumped, possibly from how I held it but it never came off completely so no spilled milk.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

Of the three manual pumps I have used, this is my favourite and I would recommend it.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I will continue to use it on rotation with one other and this will be my preferred option. I would use this one outside of the house as well.

[Newquay]

Q1. I would describe it as a handheld manual bottle with a sucker attached which you place over the boob. The milk is expressed out by you squeezing the lever with one hand.

Q2. It was very comfortable to use. Just as comfortable as the mendela pump I've used before.

Q.3. It was very easy to use pumping wise. However I found it more difficult to assemble than the mendela one.

Q4. I would recommend it - for mums who need to occasionally express or for those returning to work who want to express at work.

Q5. I would buy one and use it for use in the office. The best thing about this pump is that it is manual so I could discretely go to the loos to express. When I used my mendela to express at a work event I had to phone ahead to book a meeting room, the staff had to tape newspaper to the Windows so prevent people seeing me and I needed to unplug things to get to a plug. So it was highly obvious and pretty embarrassing. A lot of faff. With this pump I had avoided all of that which was just brilliant. I found it useful to use at the end (I hope!) of breast feeding - when I am really just relieving pressure during my working day and chucking it away. If I was going to be expressing a lot then I would use the mendela as it is faster and the yield is higher. Great little pump though for the price.

[VeryVeryVeryCurious]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?
Portable, easy to use, comfortable
Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Very
Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
Very
Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
Yes, most likely
Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes. I am currently building a freezer stash and it's very handy

[mojobrain]

I was impressed with this pump. I found it alot more comfortable than I was expecting. I did find it took a while to get the milk flowing so have since purchased the avent electric one. I would continue to use this one at times when electric is not convenient. I would recommend x

[flipflump]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Very simple contraption for manually expressing breast milk. Excellent design which massages the areola and stimulated my flow. The handle was easy to use and build a steady rhythm which I found to be very effective.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Extremely comfortable on my breast and also on my back as I was relaxed and sitting in a comfortable position.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Very simple to assemble, use and sterilise.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

I would highly recommend it. I've used other leading brands which left me dripping milk on my t-shirt. Every drop went in the bottle with Avent.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I will continue to use it as it's very effective and comfortable to use.

[Giraffeshoes]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

This would depend on how much they knew about breast pumps in general! :) Essentially, it's a hand-operated (as opposed to electric) device that allows you to pump/express breast milk, for feeding to your baby via cup, bottle etc. at a later date or for comfort (i.e. to prevent engorgement) when away from your baby.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

I found this pump comfortable to use. The cushion part is more comfortable on the breast than other manual pumps I have used and the suction isn't too strong.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

It's easy to use once you've gotten the hang of positioning breast/nipple correctly (which doesn't take very long). It's also easy to wash/sterilise etc.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

It would depend on what they needed it for. Personally, I would not use this as my main pump for expressing large quantities of milk as I did not find it as effective/efficient as an electric pump. However, I've found this to be the case with every manual pump I've tried so maybe other people would have more luck producing large volumes of milk in a reasonable period of time with it.
I would certainly recommend it as a pump that a breast-feeding mother could use to express for comfort when away from their baby for periods of time. For example, I took the pump with me on my first post-baby night out with friends. It fitted easily in my handbag and I could express quickly & discretely thereby helping to prevent engorgement/blocked ducts/mastitis etc.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I will continue to use it as my "out and about" / back up pump (see point above) but not as my main pump. I'll continue to use my electric pump if I need to express large volumes of milk.

[eleanormpritchard]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

It's a small manual pump that allows me to express breast milk for my daughter. I'm in the process of introducing her to solids, and she's about to start nursery when I return to work, so although I've not expressed at all until now (ten months and three weeks), it's lovely to know I can take breastmilk in to nursery with her each day and the staff will give it to her, and also to be able to add breastmilk to solids.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Comfortable, no problems.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Easy, no problems. But, I stresss that I'm using it for the very particular purposes outlined above, and wouldn't want to suggest it will absolutely suit everybody.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

I have been fortunate and had a great nad relatively trouble-free experience bf-ing my daughter, and am only using the pump because of going back to work and wanting to add extra nutrition to early stage solids. For anyone in a similar position or with a similar wish, I would recommend it.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, for me it's a convenient way of ensuring my daughter's ongoing intake of breastmilk during this phase of change as I go back to work, and I will keep using it for the foreseeabe future.

All testers who add their feedback to this thread, add a review on MN and complete the survey we sent you will be entered into a prize draw where one tester will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

[Dachshund]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

A manual breast pump for me to use in order for my DP to feed my DD (I don't have friends with kids!)

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

I don't have any other pump to compare to, so it's hard to say. I didn't find it uncomfortable but after pumping, my breast is sometimes a bit red from the suction cup.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

It's extremely easy to assemble and use.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

I would, and I have in fact!

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I will continue to use it. I'm only expressing enough for my DP to give DD a bottle every now and again as I'm mostly feeding on demand, so it suits my needs perfectly. I do think if I was pumping to establish supply or if I was going back to work I would probably use an electric pump.

[cookiefiend]

Q1 Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Small, neat, easy to clean and transport, very effective.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Very comfortable, it had a nice angle for holding it against you. I like the soft inner bit on your breast- more comfortable than hard plastic and unlike the older model of this pump I did not find I lost milk back under the soft plastic bit.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Really easy. I have a Mendela swing electric and an older version of this avent pump. This was much easier to clean an put together as it has fear parts and no stupid little valve thing that the others have, which is great as they are easy to lose and fiddly to put in which I think means they are really over touched sometimes in putting the thing tog ether. This has fewer parts than the others so easy to put together and take apart. I didn't need the instructions.

My one criticism- at first I liked that the tube between the flange part (where your boob goes) and the bottle where the milk collected was short as I have never understood in the other pumps why it is so long- surely just more space to lose traces of milk in. However, what this meant was that you could not see whether milk was coming out very easily. I have never been able to feel the milk coming out so like watching it. This isn't too bad, but I found it a minor annoyance.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?


Yes absolutely. When this pump arrived I was expressing after every feed, which is lots and i enjoyed using it as an alternative to my electic pump. I am not sure I would have thought to upgrade my old manual one, but it was totally worth it, this felt more comfortable to use.
Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, especially if I need one for out of the house. It is light and simple. My only problem is I am not a massive fan of the bottle it came with for transporting milk as the lid had a hole in it where you would pop a teat or little plastic disc for transporting milk, I would be worried about knocking the disc in towards the milk and spilling it (devastating if you are pumping to improve supply). Again not a big issue as I would just pour it into a mendela bottle.

Overall I was presently surprised by the upgrades made to this pump over a previous model- I liked the angle you held it at. I would recommend it.

[MumToTiny]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

A simple manual breast pump, probably not suited to regular use.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Very comfortable - I didn't think it was working until I saw I'd pumped just over an ounce in about 5 minutes!

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Very easy, although I'm yet to take it apart...

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

I would recommend it for comfort, but it's not the most convenient, as unlike the manual tommee tippee one I've previously used, this one doesn't come with a container to sterilize it. As I express rarely, it's not that convenient for me to get the sterilizer out just for a breast pump.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I probably will, if I need to express for any reason. This is because it's much more comfortable to use than my tommee tippee manual pump.

Like previous posters, I'm not very impressed with the advice and information given in the instruction book. As a trained breastfeeding peer supporter I know much of the information to be factually incorrect, and I also resent the implication that mothers are unable to breastfeed long term without expressing!

[Gina1210]

By Gina121021-Jan-2016

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Really simple and easy to use! It's sturdy and robust! Feels like it's good quality.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

Very comfortable! It didn't squeeze or hurt my nipples. Did find that after a few minutes of pumping my hand began to tire and found it tricky using it with my left hand.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Extremely easy! It was easy to take apart to clean and just as easy to put it back together.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

Yes! I think this is a good pump and very useful for someone who pumps infrequently or someone who wants it as a backup/portable pump. I couldn't use this as my everyday pump as it takes a long time to get the milk out. I hate the sound of the electric pump but I like looking down and seeing how much milk is in the bottle every couple of minutes! With the manual pump it takes a long time to fill a bottle and my hands start to hurt after a few minutes!

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I will use it if I just quickly want some milk to make some cereal or an omelette. But I couldn't use it if I was trying to store up milk for going out etc! Good product. You can just pick it up and use it, you don't need to go looking for bits and to try to work out where it fits etc.

[Lovelybitofsquirrel]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?
An easy to use pump

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Very comfortable, no problem getting started unlike other hand pumps where I found it tricky to get the right seal and to start letdown

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
Very easy, it came apart easily and was easy to put back together, I got more than with other manual pumps and as much as with an electric but without all the leads. I was really pleased with it. The best thing was not having to lean forward the whole time as with other pumps.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
Yes definitely.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, it's comfortable to use and more convenient than an electric pump.

[Miskate]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

Completely different pump to the one I used before (electric Medela single), you can pump anywhere as not tied to a wire, and it's quieter so option to pump whilst holding baby in the other arm and feeding from the other side.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Veyr comfortable, I didn't have to lean over like I do with the Medela, as it is angled differently. The wider top was better too, less hard.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
Easy in the sense that the milk came out fine (as well as the electric pump I'm used to). Not easy in that I started to get serious hand ache after pumping for twenty minutes. It's a workout.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
I would recommend it as a cheaper option to the electric pump, if you're willing to put in the effort.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
I will, because I actually get a better yield than from the electric pump.

[Sariward]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

So my daughter is 12 months old but I am still breastfeeding. For the last 3 months I have been pumping at work once or twice a day in a meeting room. I have an Advent electric pump but am conscious of the noise it makes (it’s loud) so was really keen to try a manual pump. This pump is much quieter and I’m really happy with it. I won’t go back to the electric pump – mainly because it’s louder but also, I am not producing much milk now and the electric pump actually takes longer to extract the milk and can be painful at first. It’s really easy to put together and use. I get a good seal on my breast and can express with no problems. It takes a few pumps to get the milk flowing, but once it is, I have found it to be painless and relatively quick to express the amount of milk I need. I would definitely recommend.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Comfortable, about the same as the electric. I have used Medela before and have to say that Medela is more comfortable because the suction bit is smaller and more focused on the nipple which seems to make it more comfortable.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
It is very simple to put the pieces of the pump together, and the instructions are very clear to help you to do this. The main unit attaches to a bottle to collect the expressed milk, and then you attach the handle, the valve (the pump won’t work without this) and a lid (all of which should be sterilised before each use), then there is a circular shaped attachment which sits over the funnel, and there are petal shaped pieces in this which help to massage the milk ducts and within minutes you are ready to express. You can also put the items in the dishwasher to clean them, although I find it quicker to clean them in hot soapy water before sterilising

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
Yes. I would definitely suggest a manual pump before automatic as not everyone can breastfeed and if they do then pumping can become a chore and not something you want to do every day. Manual pump is easy to use and more convenient.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, for the reasons mentioned above – it’s quieter than my electric pump. It doesn’t require a plug or batteries and it’s actually quicker to get the milk flowing.

[taffetatee]

1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?
   

A pump to express breast milk to store for later feeds or use when away from baby to keep up milk.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
It was comfy in that I didnt need to hunch over as I find that I do with my medela but the actual pumping action would make my hands sore if used too long.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
A bit tricky to take apart/put together - but would get used to it I think.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
It would depend on what they needed it for. For someone exclusively breastfeeding who is away from baby a lot - it probably wouldnt be the main pump. As would take too long and storage bottles a bit small. Useful for trips away/holidays abroad or for times you are away from baby - say at work and want to pump.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
I think I would keep it for the circumstances above - I can see it being passed around my other mum friends to use for hols etc. But for everyday use I am happy with the medela - more milk, quicker.

[DeAtHnOtE]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?
Really comfy and efficient. Easy to use and clean. But it squeaks, which drives me up the wall.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
Very, some manual pumps can feel 'nippy' and you have to sit funny but this one feels great.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
Really easy. Easy to use, take apart and clean.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
No, purely because of the squeaking. Every pump squeak squeak squeak.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
No. I thought a manual pump would be quiet, but with it squeaking on every pump you might as well have an electric one.

[Emmie10]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?
It is a manual pump for expressing breastmilk for times I need to be away from baby.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?
I found the pump very comfortable to use. The suction was strong without being uncomfortable and the pump handle was an ideal shape and size for my hand. I was able to relax on the sofa watching TV whilst expressing.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?
The pump itself was very easy to use. I did switch hands every son often as I found it quite tiring. After reading the instructions once, I found it easy to dismantle the pump for washing and to reassemble afterwards. I also own a Medela Swing Electric pump and found I could express more milk in a shorter space of time with the Avent manual pump.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?
Yes I would. I am a breastfeeding support worker and I would definitely recommend a manual pump to mums who are keen to start expressing.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes I will although I do not express very often now. My baby is almost one and has cut out his daytime feeds. I'm not sure that I would use it to express at work though a s it has quite a loud and distinctive squeak each time the handle is pressed!

[postitnotes]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation? I would describe it as pretty good for a manual pump, and certainly better than the Nuby pump I have used previously. However, I do feel though that if you think you might be needing to use a pump for more than just a short period of time it is worth investing in an electric one.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use? I thought it was really comfortable, very useful not having to angle yourself, and the pump action is comfortable on your fingers too, which are usually the first to start aching.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use? It was pretty easy, although the instructions seem long-winded and a bit tedious. I thought it was unnecessary to state that it had to be sterilised in a Philips sterilizer when any would actually do. As a previous poster has articulated very well (on the first page) there are some poor words and phrases that could prove very unhelpful for a new mother.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family? I would if they were definitely looking for a manual pump.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not? No, which is a shame as a think it's a pretty good pump, but I wasn't able to express much using it. I feel that this is down to the stage I am currently at with breastfeeding which seems to be winding down somewhat (baby's choice), as I am having similar results with my much used electric Medela pump.

[Plantpot83]

Q1 ) I would describe the pump as an easy to use, efficient and good value manual breast pump.

Q2) I found the pump very comfortable, the cushioning makes it soft against the breast, you don't have to sit forward or worry about milk leaking out and it's very easy to pump so it doesn't tire out your hand. The level of suction is comfortable too.

Q3) I found the pump very easy to use. It assembles and disassembles very easily, I only needed to check the instructions once. The design of the pump is very intuitive and you just need to move the the handle to start expressing. I was impressed and surprised by how much milk I was able to express in short amounts of time, almost as much as with my medela electric pump. I sterilised it in a Tommy tipped microwave steriliser and it fits fine.

Q4) yes it's a good manual pump. It does what it should and is good value for money. I would tell them to try this before buying a more expensive electric pump.

Q5) yes, I like the fact that it is so much more convenient and potable than my electric pump, but I still express as much milk. However I had to buy bigger agent bottles, the ones provided with the pump are 4oz which is not big enough for an older baby so this is worth bearing in mind.

[SexDrugsAndSausageRoll]

Q1. Please detail how would you describe the breast pump to friends/family if it came up in conversation?

A standard manual pump for expressing breastmilk, with a comfort cushion-good for first time expressers as it's easy to use.

Q2. How comfortable did you find the breast pump to use?

More comfortable that normal, the cushion saves the whole cold boob on hard plastic shock first thing in the morning or at night! I didn't find I expressed any more with this pump, but it was more comfortable and I had no dribble round the cup.

Q3. How easy did you find the breast pump to use?

Very easy, not too many fiddly bits and pretty fool proof.

Q4. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump to friends and/or family?

I'd recommend it to occasional users, but not to anyone for daily use. An electric pump is easier if using a lot, but of manual pumps this is the most comfortable I've tried. I'd warn the accessories were poor, tommie tippee come with a sterislising box and storage pots, which to a first time mum could make a big difference with extra costs. The pads that came free irritated my nipple surprisingly. A bonus is the bottles are standard and can be used with other teats, which is a cost saving if you did to try different teats which is common for breastfed babies.

Q5. Will you continue to use your Philips Avent Natural Manual Breast Pump? If so, why? If not, why not?

I use it occasionally, for expressing if going out but I still find the actual squeezing and monotony of a manual pump tedious for regular use. It has been borrowed by a family member at the moment to help build her supply, whilst I haven't had supply issues it's proving wonderful for her so that's a consideration.