oversupply. vasospasm/ pain (because it's constant suction is left on too long) slow weight gain (because the Haakaa is taking the milk the baby needs) clogged ducts/ mastitis (because Haakaa leaves the most fatty milk inside the breast)
Haakaa Pumps generate negative pressure and typically result in more milk removed than a traditional passive milk collector. This can be problematic in 2 ways: It can encourage an oversupply which does come with risks for many parents.
While it has the benefit of being very comfortable due to its gentle suction, that suction is very limited and may not be very helpful to some women. In particular, the suction level is far weaker compared to many other types of pumps. This may not be a problem for women who easily express a lot of milk.
Depending on where the plug is located, you may be able to gently massage the area. Leave on until the Haakaa loses suction. You can do this twice a day until you either see the plug come out into the water or you feel relief and the hard spot becomes softer.
You can use your Haakaa as much and as often as you wish. I used mine at least at the morning feed every morning because I tended to be very engorged and would leak often. If I was home, I generally always used it. No need to use it on the go.
How often should I wash/sterilise my Haakaa? It really comes down to preference. In the first three months after baby is born, it is recommended to sterilise your pump and all baby bottles that are used after every use.
Once this stage is over your milk may then drip out a little steadier. So the secret is to keep the Haakaa on your breast for at least 15 to 20 minutes to ensure you're getting a full feed.
Apply heat to the clogged area before each feeding to help with the flow of your breast milk through your ducts. Try a vibration/lactation massager. An electric toothbrush works well but if you are prone to clogs, a lactation massager is a good investment. Epsom salt in a Haakaa pump.
Does the Haakaa Pump Increase Milk Supply? Yes, it can increase your milk supply. Breast milk supply is general based on demand. If you are drawing out more milk each feeding by using the haakaa breast pump, this will signal your body to produce more milk.
The lump may also move over time – closer to the surface so you can better feel it or further into the duct, where you can't. And once the duct is unclogged, the area may still be red or feel tender for a week or so, but any hard lumps will be gone and it won't hurt as much to nurse.
Q: How many times a day should I use my Haakaa? This really depends on how much milk you'd like to collect! For mums who may want to build a bigger freezer stash and/or introduce a bottle, using their Haakaa for a couple of feeds each day may yield the best results.
You can definately use the Haakaa as your primary pump. Some women use our pumps simply to catch excess milk that would otherwise be lost in a nursing pad. However, you can use it to express as you would with any manual pump.
By combining the gentle suction of the Haakaa with the heat from warm water and drawing abilities of Epsom salts, you can effectively clear blocked and clogged ducts.
The Haakaa breast pump helps you collect both foremilk and rich hindmilk. Because it's only a piece of silicone, there's no electricity nor any cords required, making it so easy to integrate into your daily routine!
Top tip: The Haakaa Generation 3 Silicone Breast Pump is super handy for those looking to express milk to help reduce engorgement, without having to wake up your bub for a feed.
Absolutely! The haakaa is a milk catcher by nature and is designed to catch the letdown you experience while baby nurses. If you're concerned about baby not getting enough milk from the breast your haakaa is on initially, just remove the haakaa once you've collected the milk from your let down.
If symptoms don't subside in 12-24 hours, contact your provider immediately. If you have clogged milk ducts that keep coming back, or you're unable to loosen a clogged duct, it's time to bring in the experts and call a lactation consultant.
The main reason for a clogged milk duct is inflammation in the tissue and blood vessels surrounding the milk ducts, which can happen for a variety of reasons: Skipping feedings or pumping sessions or going too long between feedings. Changing your baby's feeding schedule (like during weaning or starting solid foods).
Most clogged ducts resolve within 1–2 days, with or without treatment. Regular, consistent breastfeeding is the fastest way to resolve a clogged duct. It is essential to empty the breast with the clogged duct completely during each breastfeeding session.
Clean after each use. We strongly recommend cleaning and sterilizing your Haakaa Breast Pump with any steam sterilizing system or by boiling in water for 2-3 minutes.
Clean after each use using hot soapy water. Use soft bristle brushes or sponges. We recommend the Haakaa Double Ended Cleaning Brush which is perfectly sized to throughly clean your Haakaa products.
When your breasts are empty, they will probably feel lighter and no longer uncomfortably full, as they might have at the start of the pumping session. You can also pick them up to see if they still feel heavy or full of milk. Pumping sessions typically take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Be careful the Haakaa does not rest on the bottom of the pan and burn. Be sure to wash with warm water and soap after each use and allow the Haakaa to air dry.
Once attached, the combination of suction, warm water, and the Epsom Salts themselves will help soothe your breast and remove the clog. If your blockage is large, you may need to repeat the process every few hours until it clears.