A manual and portable option when it comes to breast pumps, the MAM Care Manual Breast Pump is gentle and comfortable to use, with a dial for you to control expression strength.
MAM was founded in Vienna in 1976, and that year the first MAM soother was sold. In 1989 it established itself in the UK, and now you can buy more than soothers, with a choice of baby kit that ranges from teethers, bottles and cups, to nipple shields, breast pads and a breastpump on offer. These last three items - nipple shields, breast pads and the MAM breastpump – are breastfeeding products that MAM says “help mothers to stay flexible and support an independent, modern lifestyle.”
The MAM Care Manual Breast Pump, also known as MAM breastpump, comes with an impressive kit: two award-winning anti-colic feeding bottles in baby-friendly Polypropylene (PP), sealing discs for the bottles and an informative DVD.
What we love
The MAM Care Manual Breast Pump looks stylish, is lightweight and portable. It makes a gentle sucking sound, so it won’t startle your baby if she is breastfeeding on the other side.
I was quite impressed with the DVD as the breastfeeding section covers all the basics: different positions, handy tips for expressing and storing breastmilk, and even how to cope with sore nipples! Right at the start a warning stated that watching the DVD was not a substitute for reading the instruction leaflet, but I found the visual explanations easier to grapple with and the extra information on breastfeeding was well presented.
The MAM Care Manual Breast Pump is made of four parts: a funnel, the silicon valve, the handle and the adapter. The funnel neck is angled and can be turned 360 degrees – a smart feature for a manual pump. This flexibility, coupled with four soft pads in its mouth, makes expressing more comfortable and enables you to use your right or left hand. You can choose a position that isn’t cramp-inducing and, thanks to the cushioning pads, your breast isn’t squeezed mercilessly while you’re pumping away. Another excellent feature is the dial that regulates expression strength, which I have only seen so far in electric pumps.
While using this pump, I didn’t feel pain or too much discomfort, which I experienced with my previous, more aggressive manual pump. My partner says that our baby Michela was quite taken with the teat of the feeding bottle, which claims to offer a breast-like feeding experience with its silky-soft silicone strip.
What to watch for
As I have experienced electric pumps, I find manual pumps slow going. Like with all manual pumps, you need to set aside more time for expressing, although the fact that its funnel is padded and adjustable gives the MAM Care Manual Breast Pump the edge on other pumps. I also noticed that disassembling the adapter from the handle was a bit fiddly as I didn’t want to risk breaking the connecting bits.
Who is the MAM Care Manual Breast Pump best for?
Mums after a gentle, portable pump that comes with all the accessories needed for expressing and storing breastmilk.
MadeForMums verdict
Although more expensive than other pumps, MAM Care Manual Breast Pump is easy to use, very comfortable and has everything you need. It comes with clear, printed instructions and an excellent DVD. Lightweight and portable, it looks stylish, too.
the MAM Care Manual Breast Pump!
