A manual or hand-operated breast pump may be all that is needed for pumping when a mother is separated from her baby for shorter periods of time. Type and quality vary widely in this category of pumps. The most commonly available are pumps designed as a set of cylinders which cause suction as they are pulled apart. If pumping seems to be going slowly, increasing the rhythm of pumping is more effective than increasing the strength of suction and will avoid injury to the nipples or breasts. Battery operated pumps do not require an electrical outlet, are easy to carry and convenient.
Mother needs to be certain the batteries are fresh.
Keeping two sets of rechargeable batteries on hand so a fresh set can be picked up on the way to work or school each day is a good idea. A battery-operated pump allows the mother to pump on one side while nursing on the other. Small electric pumps range from the good to the very bad. Most are suction-only devices and the length of time needed to reach adequate suction is excessive in most models. One especially good model can also be converted to double pumping.