Let me tell you, this little pump has been a game-changer during my breastfeeding journey. The first time I used it, I was shocked at how quickly it emptied me compared to my electric pump - we're talking 5 ounces in 15 minutes versus struggling for 45 minutes with my wall pump!

What really won me over was during a power outage when my electric pump was useless. I grabbed this manual one and could still pump comfortably while sitting in candlelight. The oval-shaped shield with its soft rim made those middle-of-the-night sessions way more comfortable than I expected from a manual pump.

The storage bags that came with it? Genius. That wide opening lets me pour with one hand while holding a fussy baby in the other - no spills even when I'm half-asleep. And they really do keep milk fresh; I've had some stored for days that still smelled perfect when thawed.

Is it tiring? Sure, after 20 minutes of pumping my hand gets sore. But the trade-off is worth it - no cords, no charging, just toss it in my diaper bag ready to go. It's become my primary pump even at home because honestly? It works better than my fancy electric one.

To any mom considering this: yes, there's a learning curve (took me a few tries to find the right rhythm), but once you get it? Pure magic. Just keep some coconut oil handy for flange comfort and maybe buy an extra valve or two as backups.