Yes, there are risks to using a Haakaa Pump. 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.
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.
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)
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.
Does the haakaa only collect foremilk? No. Foremilk is thinner and less fatty than hindmilk, so it flows quickly and easily during any pumping session (manual or electric). The same is true when you use this pump—the foremilk will flow easily and quickly, while the hindmilk is slower.
The Haakaa breast pump helps you collect both foremilk and rich hindmilk.
Additionally, you can try looking at photos or videos of your baby while you're using the haakaa breast pump to try and encourage let down. Lastly, leaving the haakaa on for about 15 minutes and allowing your body to relax should also help, as the more anxious you are, the harder it is to letdown.
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.
Can I mix freshly expressed breast milk with older breast milk? Mixing freshly expressed breast milk with already cooled or frozen milk is not advised because it can rewarm the older stored milk. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk.
Sometimes this can happen depending how often it is used and sterilised, as well as the method of how it's washed and sterilised – the more you sterilise your pump, the faster it will lose its suction. Some mums find they need to replace their pumps after a few months while others have theirs for years.
If you feel pain, the suction is too strong. Simply remove the Haakaa and when reapplying it, don't squeeze the sides quite as hard. This will create less suction. The oz markings on the side aren't accurate.
Haakaa Pumps can trigger an oversupply in some people, especially when used multiple times a day to encourage excess milk removal in the early days. Remember, your body doesn't know the difference between the baby and the Haakaa, all it knows is if the stimulus caused a let-down of milk.
Can pumping decrease milk supply? Pumping itself does not decrease your breast milk supply. In fact, it can help boost it. But if you are having trouble with low milk supply, the first step is to check that you are using the right breast pump.
Increasing your milk supply will take time, so don't give up. Even dry pumps (when you pump but nothing comes out) sends a signal to your body that more milk is needed on tap, so it's getting the work done even if there's no output to show for it right away. Stick with it and you'll see the results after a few days.
When is it Too Late to Increase Milk Supply? A mama's milk supply typically peaks between the first 4-6 weeks. After 6 weeks, it may become more difficult to increase your supply.
To help establish milk supply, pump at least twice between 1 to 6am. In early morning hours milk- making hormone levels increase and taking advantage of this will increase your milk production.
Choose a 1-2 times a day to get your Haakaa on. Many mamas choose times early in the day as your milk supply is often better in the morning.
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.
The amount of milk you collect with a haakaa varies from mom to mom. A lot of it depends on your milk supply, the last time you nursed or pumped, and how your breasts respond to the pump. I would, on average, collect about two ounces per feeding.
How long should a baby nurse to get hindmilk? After about 10 to 15 minutes of breastfeeding, the milk flow slows and transitions to the sweet and creamy hindmilk, which contains vitamins A and E, and has more fat and calories than foremilk.
Hindmilk is released with every milk ejection (let-down). By the time feeding finishes on the first breast, the first milk from the second breast will contain more fat compared to the start of the feed on the first breast.
Healthy infants who breastfeed effectively are often thought to be more efficient than the expression of milk either by hand or with an electric breast pump. Breastfed infants have been shown to remove 50% of the total volume of milk removed at a breastfeed in the first 2 min and 80% in 4 min [31].