The Haakaa is a one-piece silicone breast pump that uses suction to collect milk from one breast while your baby nurses on the other. There are no cords, batteries, or moving parts. You squeeze it, attach it, and let it do its work. Here’s how to get the most out of it.
How to Attach the Haakaa
The attachment technique is the single most important thing to get right. Fold the flange (the wide rim at the top) back on itself so it’s flipped down. Then squeeze the rounded bottom of the pump to push air out. Center your nipple directly over the middle of the flange opening, unfold the flange back up against your breast, and release your squeeze. The pump will suction onto your breast and stay in place.
A few details that make a big difference: use one hand to cup and support your breast while the other positions the pump. This helps you center the pump properly and lets the flange grasp a wider area of breast tissue, creating a stronger seal. The harder you squeeze the bottom before attaching, the stronger the suction will be. If you’re new to using it, start with a gentle squeeze and work up from there.
When to Put It On
Most people attach the Haakaa to the opposite breast right as their baby latches on. When your baby triggers a letdown on the nursing side, both breasts respond. The Haakaa captures that milk from the non-nursing breast, which would otherwise leak into a nursing pad and be lost. Over the course of a day, those small collections add up quickly, sometimes to several ounces.
It’s worth knowing that the Haakaa does more than passively catch dripping milk. The continuous suction actively draws milk out, pulling more than would flow on its own. That’s useful if you’re trying to build a freezer stash, but it also means you’re telling your body to produce more milk on that side. If building a stash is your goal, this is a feature. If you’re already dealing with an oversupply, it’s something to be cautious about.
Avoiding Pain and Discomfort
Using the Haakaa should not hurt. If it does, the most common cause is too much suction. Remember: the harder you squeeze before attaching, the stronger the pull. Try a lighter squeeze next time. Your body changes constantly in the postpartum period, so what felt fine last week might feel too strong today. Expect some trial and error.
The other major cause of pain is your nipple touching the inside wall of the pump. Your nipple should sit freely in the center of the opening without pressing against the silicone. This is especially important if your nipples are already sore from nursing. If you notice contact, reposition the pump so it’s more centered on your breast.
Managing Your Milk Supply
Because the Haakaa actively draws milk, using it at every feeding session can gradually increase your overall production. For some people, that’s exactly the point. For others, it can create an imbalance, with the Haakaa side producing noticeably more milk than the nursing side, or an oversupply that leads to engorgement and discomfort.
If you notice signs of oversupply (persistent engorgement, forceful letdown that makes your baby choke, or discomfort between feedings), try cutting back. You don’t have to use the Haakaa at every session. Using it once or twice a day rather than every feeding gives you the benefit of collecting extra milk without sending a constant signal to ramp up production.
Troubleshooting Suction Problems
The Haakaa falling off mid-session is the most common frustration. A few things can cause this. Moisture, body oil, or lotion on your skin can prevent the flange from gripping properly. Make sure the skin around your breast is clean and dry before attaching. If your baby kicks or swats the pump, try nursing in a position that keeps their feet away from it, or use a Haakaa lanyard or clip to catch it if it pops off.
If none of these fixes help and the pump simply won’t hold suction anymore, the silicone may have worn out. Over time and with repeated boiling, silicone can lose its flexibility and grip. This is normal and means it’s time to replace the pump.
Cleaning and Sterilizing
Before first use, sterilize the Haakaa by placing it in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. You can do this in a pot on the stove (keep it from resting on the bottom of the pot, where it could scorch), in a plug-in steam sterilizer, or in a microwave sterilizing bag. After each use, wash it with warm soapy water. Periodic re-sterilizing between uses is a good habit, especially for newborns.
The one-piece design of the original Haakaa is a genuine advantage here. There are no small valves, membranes, or tubing where milk residue and bacteria can hide. You can see every surface and clean it thoroughly in seconds.
Storing the Milk You Collect
Freshly expressed breast milk is safe at room temperature (77°F or cooler) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator, it keeps for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it: 6 months is ideal, and up to 12 months is acceptable. If you’re collecting small amounts across multiple sessions in one day, you can combine them in the refrigerator, but cool freshly expressed milk in the fridge before adding it to an already-chilled container.
Choosing Between Haakaa Generations
The original Haakaa (Generation 1) is a simple 100ml one-piece silicone pump. It does the job and nothing more. Generation 2 is the same design with one practical upgrade: a suction base that sticks to flat surfaces, so the pump won’t tip over when you set it down. Gen 2 also comes in a larger 150ml size. If you’ve ever knocked over a Haakaa full of milk on a nightstand, the suction base alone is worth the upgrade.
Generation 3 is the strongest-suction model and works with a range of interchangeable attachments. All three generations are made from 100% food-grade silicone, free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. They all work the same way: squeeze, attach, collect. The differences come down to suction strength, capacity, and accessories.