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I bought this breast pump to replace my old Avent Isis manual breast pump which was broken. I was contemplating whether to buy a replacement part or try the new Avent Comfort. And finally took a plunge on buying the newer model.
How’s my experience with Avent Comfort manual breast pump? Here’s my detailed reviews.
Overview
Avent Comfort breast pump is a newer range of Philips Avent breast pump. It is designed to rival performance of its older model, Avent Isis, while at the same time address some problems of the older model. Here’s a few specifications of this breast pump.
Breast pump type: manual
Single/double: single
Suction adjustment: manual (by piston)
Speed adjustment: manual
Breast flange inner diameter: 28 mm (without massage cushion), 21 mm (with massage cushion). Large massage cushion (with inner diameter of 24 mm is sold separately)
Size: 15x10x20 cm
Weight: 13.1 ounces
Available at: Amazon
More specifications can be found here.
What you get out of the box:
- Avent comfort manual breast pump
- Avent natural feeding bottle (4oz) + sealing disc
- Avent natural teat (newborn size) + teat cap
- Two packs of breast pad sample (day and night, 2 pcs each)
Highlights
The most promised highlight of this breast pump is mentioned in the slogan, ‘pumping with comfort’. When other breast pump models require the user to lean forward to prevent milk spillage from breast flange, Avent Comfort model claims that it can be used in a relaxed-upright position, which is much more comfortable, and as we know, more comfort means more milk.
Other than this, Avent Comfort model has been redesigned such that it does not bear the same problems its older model has, which include:
- NO Milk trapped under soft-petal massage cushion. The new massage cushion is thicker and firmer and with Avent Comfort, I’ve never experience milk goes under the cushion anymore
- NO Milk collected under diaphragm. Avent Comfort is smartly designed such that milk will go straight into the bottle instead of accumulating in the pump neck.
- Two different sizes of soft-petal massage cushions. Older model only has one-size-fit-all massage cushion, which makes pumping hurts for woman with large nipple due to poor fitting. With the availability of large-size massage cushion, more mothers will benefit using the breast pump.
- Larger duck-bill valve. New Avent Comfort breast pump uses a big duck-bill valve which is easy to insert and pull out, unlike the older model which has tiny star-shape valve which falls easily into the bottle.
Some other features that I like from this breast pump:
- Less part to wash
- Compact and portable, great for travelling
- Massage cushion to for better milk flow
Cons
While this breast pump has been successful in addressing the problems of the older model, Avent Comfort manual breast pump is lack of my favorite features of the old Avent Isis. These include:
- No base cover. The old Avent Isis has two covers to keep the pump clean and sterile when not in use, one for flange and one for the base of pump body. I was disappointed when I could not found the base cover for Avent Comfort. This means you need to resort to using ziplock bag to keep the breast pump clean, which is an added hassle.
- Shorter breast flange tunnel. This may not be an issue for most mothers, but I found out that my nipple will hit the end of breast pump tunnel while pumping, reducing the effectiveness of the suction. With ineffective suction, you’ll get less milk and breast is not emptied properly.
- Not enough flange size variation. Ok, perhaps I am asking too much here. While it is true that having two different sizes (normal and large massage cushion) is better than one, I secretly wish that Avent will accommodate more breast flange size, just like Medela does.
- Too gentle suction. I don’t know whether it is a separate problem or related to poorly fit breast flange that I discussed in previous point. But I seriously feel the suction is way too gentle. Perhaps this is solely my preference, but if you are used to strong suction, then do note that I would categorise this breast pump as a ‘gentle’ breast pump.
- Hands getting tired easily. I really don’t know why this happens. My hand aches faster when pumping with Avent Comfort breast pump compared to the older model.
Final thought
While I am happy that Avent Comfort manual breast pump has improved its design to minimize milk leakage and wastage under the pump cushion and diaphragm, I was disappointed with its decreased suction strength and short breast flange tunnel. Perhaps it does not fit my breast+nipple very well, thus I experience decreased suction.
As I mentioned before, this reviews may be biased due to my personal breast and nipple shape. Click here to read more reviews in Amazon.
If you are looking for breast pump which effectively remove milk from the breast, here are my two recommendations:
- Manual breast pump: Avent Isis manual
- Electric breast pump: Spectra S1
I hope this reviews help you to weigh pros and cons of Avent Comfort Manual breast pump.
Have you used Avent Comfort manual breast pump before? How’s your experience? Or if you haven’t , what’s your favorite breast pump ?Â
Ilyssa says
I like your site-it is both easy to read and informative. A few years back my friend had a baby and she wanted a breast pump as a gift. I was completely lost. She had trouble with her supply and this information would have been very helpful to her, as I am sure it will be to many moms.
Rina says
Hi Ilyssa, thank you for the compliment. Breast pump is a great choice of gift for new moms. But before buying one, I would ask her what kind of breast pump she needs. Some moms only need a manual breastpump for occasional use (to relieve engorgement, for example) while some others need a heavy-duty electric breast pump to establish and build milk supply.
Grace says
I wish I had this information a year ago. I had my baby last year in Oct and I had low milk supply, I tried several breast pumps which I not gonna mention here but it didn’t work out for me. I ended up formula feeding. My experience with manual pumps was exactly what you mentioned in this article…the suction is too gentle. I like how compact this pump is, it should be very easy to store and clean. I know a friend who may need a pump and I want to recommend sprectra or I will simply send her a link to this website. I hope it’s a good one.
Thank you again.
Rina says
hi Grace, I agree with you. I really want to love this pump, it is good-looking little pump that is compact and portable. Unfortunately the suction is real problem for me. I wish I would know about Soectra sooner. Not only it is highly adjustable, it is very comfortable even at high suction settig.
Linda says
Hi, this is a very informative review that will help to decide whether one will benefit from using the Avent Comfort Manual Breast pump, or will the cons be too much of a turnoff. Thank you for sharing, because buying the wrong breast pump and having to buy another one can be a costly decision.
But I must say, Avent are the creators of the best breast pumps out there.
Linda
Rina says
Hi Linda,
I agree with you. That’s why people should do research before buying breast pump. I love the old model of Avent manual pump, but the comfort version, unfortunately, does not fit me well.
Heather Grace says
I never enjoyed using a manual pump personally. Perhaps I hadn’t found the right one. My big issue was like you mentioned with my hand getting tired. I always kept a manual pump though I case my double electric decided to poop out on me. That never happened except when I forgot both my power cord and battery pack one day. Thank goodness for the manual pump.
Do you prefer manual pumps over the electric? If so why?
Rina says
Hi Heather,
I love electric pump because it is faster, you can double pump at the same time. But for the efficiency of emptying breast, I still feel that my Avent Isis manual pump is the best.
To combine both (quick pump and effectiveness), after I get nothing with my double electric pump, I switch pumping using my manual pump.
tatihden says
I love your site and what it is all about. I am a mom of three and I am very lucky that I always have more than enough milk flow. It is nice that you are encouraging women to breastfeed and helping them find ways to cope with low milk flow issues. I have used the old version of the Avent pump and loved it. I am expecting my fourth baby and looking for baby products. This post and your site overall is very informative.
Rina says
Hi Tatihden,
Wow, 4 kids, bravo to you!
I also love the old Avent pump. I guess it gives me a better fit, and thus, I am able to pump more milk with it.
All the best with your 4th delivery and wishing you a smooth-sailing breastfeeding journey.
~rina