Of all the breast pumps we’ve reviewed so far, the manufacturer of this one is undoubtedly the most well-known company of them all – Philips is a Dutch technology company, very famous for their quality electronic devices. That’s why we were quite curious about their new breast pump, as we wanted to find out if it’s as well-made as their other devices.
The Avent Manual Comfort sports a unique design, low weight, and a soft massage cushion that feels very comfortable on the breast. Is this the model we’ve all been waiting for? Let’s find out!
Specifications:
- Brand – Phillips
- Model Name – Avent Manual Comfort
- Power Source Type – Manual
- Weight – 11.7 ounces
- Dimensions – 3.5″ x 7.7″ x 8.9″
- Dishwasher Safe – No
Features of Philips Avent Manual Comfort
-
The Efficiency
For a manual model, the Philips Avent Manual Comfort is quite an efficient breast pump. When you line it up properly on your breast, the model is capable of producing a very good amount of milk in a relatively short amount of time.
But we have to say that we’ve noticed a slight drawback here – the rubber inlay. Even though it contributes to the overall comfort of this pump, it can have an adverse effect on the overall efficiency – it can cause your breast to be moved sideways by leaving less room for it. This isn’t a very big issue and can be corrected with just a couple of tries.
The rubber inlay can also have a positive effect on the overall efficiency. The iconic petal cushion is capable of mimicking the baby’s sucking motion, which is guaranteed to provide a mom with the necessary stimulation and thus more milk.
It’s also worth noting that the pump is compatible with other products of the same series (Avent), which can come in quite handy in certain situations.
-
The Comfort
When it comes to comfort, we have only words of praise. Once it’s correctly lined up with the breast, the Avent Manual feels very comfortable due to its soft massage cushion.
With this model, it is of crucial importance to find the correct angle every time you intend to use it. Inexperienced moms might end up with twisted nipples, so make sure to find the most comfortable position before you start with the expression. If you can’t do it, you can simply take out the rubber inlay and use the pump just with its plastic flange. This, of course, depends on your nipple size, breast size, and several other factors.
-
Ease of Use
Just like all other manual models on the market, the Avent is also very easy to use. With it, you’ll have to empty each of your breasts separately, and you’ll have to use your opposing hand to operate the lever. Pumping with this lever can be as labor intensive as it is on the other manual models, which is certainly their biggest downside. Those looking for a faster way to express their milk will have to purchase an electric or a battery-operated breast pump.
-
The Portability
Due to its low weight, this model is highly portable and easy to carry around. This is the case with almost all manual pumps, and this one as well is capable of fitting inside your handbag or a purse.
However, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t come with an insulated bag or a tote bag, so storing your milk can be a little tricky. Fortunately, there’s an extra bottle in the package, allowing you to store some 10 ounces of liquid in your refrigerator.
-
The Hygiene
Cleaning this pump will probably be a tricky business for the new moms, as it can be pretty difficult to pull apart all of its sections and thoroughly clean the crevasses. The reason behind that is the already mentioned rubber inlay, as it creates suction on the adapter. You don’t want to find dried milk on your next session, so make sure to clean the model as thoroughly as you can.
-
The Noise
On some occasions, this pump can get quite noisy, and that’s probably our biggest complaint about it. It’s not the best choice for moms who’d like to have discrete pumping sessions – this one could wake up the baby or raise some eyebrows at work.
The manual models are supposed to be the most silent types of breast pumps, so we hope that Phillips is working on resolving this issue.
-
Best Application
In our opinion, this model is best suited for the ladies who express their milk only a few times a week. It’s also a convenient choice for the breastfeeding moms on vacation. If your breast pumping needs are more demanding, you will have to look into electric models, as they’re far more efficient (and more expensive).
Conclusion
Easy to use and highly portable, this manual breast pump is definitely worth considering for purchase. It has a few shortcomings, yes, but in the end, we were quite impressed with the quality of its features. When used correctly, the Avent Manual Comfort justifies its name – it feels very comfortable on the breast, and works just as advertised. For moms who pump only occasionally, this model is an excellent choice.