Next up is Ashtonbee Silicone, which a perfect option for those looking for an affordable solution for their breast pumping needs. And the greatest thing here is the fact that the low cost doesn’t have an adverse effect here – the model works just as advertised, and is undoubtedly among the best manual pumps we’ve tested so far.
It is very similar to Haakaa’s manual model, as it also allows hands-free operation and is made out of non-harmful materials (it’s BPA-free). But let’s take a closer look and see if this thing is really worth the money, shall we?
Specifications:
- Brand – Ashtonbee
- Model Name – Silicone Breast Pump
- Power Source Type – Manual
- Weight – 4 ounces
- Dimensions – 6.5″ x 3.8″ x 3.2″
- Dishwasher Safe – No
Features of Ashtonbee Silicone
-
The Design
As we already mentioned, the design of this pump is very similar to the one of the Haakaa’s popular model, with just a few minor differences. It’s a transparent, bottle-shaped model, having a height of 15cm, a width of 6cm, and the diameter of its opening of 8cm.
The thing that makes it different than Haakaa’s model is the presence of some interesting patterns on the pump’s surface. They are there not only to make the device’s look more interesting but also to allow a firmer grasp and better handling.
As far as we’re concerned, the overall design of this model is pleasant to the eye. But the more important thing is that it also makes the pump very lightweight and thus highly-portable. You can simply toss it into your purse and carry it with you wherever you go.
The primary build material here is the food-grade silicone. This means that the device is free of dangerous substances (it’s eco-friendly), so you won’t have to worry about harming your baby.
-
The Comfort
One of the best things about these types of breast pumps is that they allow mothers to feed the infant with their other breast. That’s also the case with the Ashtonbee Silicone – while you’re pumping one of your breasts, you can use the other to feed the baby.
Designed to mimic the infant’s sucking patterns, the model provides quite a comfortable pumping experience. Our testers were very pleased with the comfort that it offers, although they had a few complaints. The first was that the pump had a tendency to fall off when they moved too much, and the second is that taking the device off the areola can be quite painful.
These are among the typical disadvantages of all manual pumps – it’s just that some models do it better than the others. But we shouldn’t forget that the manual pumps come without wires or complicated controls – with Ashtonbee Silicone, you’ll be able to start with the pumping right away.
-
The Efficiency
Using this model is a very simple and straightforward process. Here are the steps:
- First, you should make sure that the pump is completely clean and sterilized. In that way, you’re preventing all sorts of diseases and infections from occurring which is of crucial importance for both you and your baby.
- Place the model on your breast and gently squeeze its bottom part. Avoid pressing the pump’s top portion, as that will disfigure the shape of its mouth and cause weaker suction. Also, we advise you to place a warm flannel on the top of your breast for better stimulation.
- Once you’ve pumped out enough milk, gently de-attach the device from your breast, place the lid on the pump and store it away in your refrigerator.
As you can see, these steps are very simple and time-saving, removing the need to operate complicated controls or to fight with the tangled wires. A word of advice, though – try not to move too much while you’re pumping and make sure to always gently take off the model from your breast.
One thing we really liked here is that the manufacturer ships this model together with the 100% lifetime warranty. This means that they’re pretty confident about the quality of their breast pump and that it should last you for years. It’s something we don’t see very often and certainly deserves some special praise.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is this model reusable?
Yes. Once sterilized, it can be safely used by another mom.
-
Is this model truly “hands-free”?
Yes. It has the capability to suction onto your breast and stay there while collecting your letdown. Avoid moving too much to prevent it from falling off and spilling the milk.
-
My nipples are pretty small. Will this model be useful to me?
The Ashtonbee Silicone works just fine with smaller nipples – you should have no issues whatsoever.
What’s wrong with the product?
- Taking off the pump can cause pain
While taking down the device from your areola, make sure to do it as gently as possible. If you do it quickly, you’re risking a very painful moment and one that could make you spill the collected milk.
- The pump tends to fall off if you move too much
While using this model, it is of paramount importance to stay still – moving too much might cause the pump to fall off. It is yet another thing that could cause the spillage and the loss of the precious liquid.
Conclusion
Even though it’s quite cheap and comes with a few minor flaws, we think that the Ashtonbee Silicone deserves recommendation due to its compact size, ease of operation, and the non-toxic construction.
It’s a simple, straightforward manual breast pump that works just as advertised – the manufacturer is so confident about its efficiency that it provides a 100% lifetime warranty for it! We liked it, and think that it’s definitely worth the money.
