Hakaa breast pump

[Bellsx]

Hi ladies what are your thoughts on this product? I'm looking into maybe combi feeding my baby and just thinking about options for expressing.

Better than a manual one for me, more expressed and less effort as it was just during feeding anyway. You do need to suction it on properly (check YouTube) and be aware about it potentially becoming too heavy and dropping.

I love mine, but I only manage to get enough for 1, maybe 2 feeds a day at a push. I don't seem to have a large let-down, so would probably struggle to pump too.

If you do have a big let-down, the capacity is only about 100ml so it may not be enough/need to empty it half way through

Thank you @InkieNecro and @CupcakesK. Is there a particular one I would need to buy or are they all the same, also once you have expressed it do you then give it in a bottle if so at what stage did you start doing this as I know if you want to try breast feeding not to introduce a bottle too early. Sorry all new to this as my DD didn't take to the breast but really want to try it again this time round,any help or advice is very much appreciated 😊

I bought a Haakaa, but a few friends have ordered other (slightly cheaper) versions which work just as well.

I started using it after a couple of weeks, but didn't get much as baby wasn't drinking as much then and my partner gave it using a spoon.

After about 5-6 weeks I was producing more milk, so then tipped it into a bottle and left it in the fridge. When we wanted to use it, just put the bottle in warm water for a few minutes and my DS has been having about a bottle (3-5oz) a day since then. Its great, I get a break once a day!

Also, I don't have room for a steriliser, so have used tommee tippee sterilising bags which go in the microwave to sterilise it and the bottle.

Jumping in this thread as I’d like to know more about haakaa pumps and combi feeding

I find it can be a bit hit and miss though. Sometimes I easily get 100ml, and other times struggle to get 30ml. I usually use it a few times a day - especially first thing in the morning when my breasts are at their fullest

Also, as your LO gets a bit bigger they can sometimes get their fingers underneath and release the suction so you end up with the milk all over you! So you need to be vigilant and often end up multi-tasking (sometimes up to 4 things at once if i'm also trying to eat breakfast )

Bit of an odd question but can the milk you express on separate occasions be mixed together/drank together? E.g if I used the Haakaa pump twice in one day, could both of those expressions be used for one feed the next day, or later if it’s frozen?

From what I’ve just read online, it seems like you can mix but only if it’s the same temp? So keep the expressed milk in the haakaa pump aka at room temp, and top it up with each use that day, or fridge it after each expression in separate bags and then combine in a bottle when ready to feed the baby? Have I understood that right?

I put each lot in a bottle in the fridge, then combine them to feed. Only have three bottles, but have never needed more

@CupcakesK thanks for answering my question :)

Thank you @CupcakesK for the info. I have bought MAM bottles as I read they are good if your breast feeding because of the teets and they are also self sterilising, the other reason I'm thinking of combi feeding is so that my DH and DD can maybe help out with one or 2 feeds so I can get some rest/sleep. How old is your LO now? Are you combi feeding with a mix of formula or exclusively breast milk from yourself or a bottle?

My DS is 4 1/2 months now and combo feeding using just breast milk. Usually one bottle of expressed milk a day that DP gives (usually later afternoon). It’s so useful to have a bottle available so he can take DS out without worrying about feeding times and I can get some peace and quiet, or do something I want to do!

@CupcakesK that’s exactly what I’m hoping to achieve! Do you have to express the missed feed or has your supply got used to that gap if you get what I mean?

Sometimes I do express the missed feed, if my breasts feel full and I have the time. Then I feel like I’ve got a head start on the next days feed . I don’t always need to, depending on how hungry LO has been during the day

@CupcakesK thanks so much this has all really helped :) feeling much more clued up now

@CupcakesK that's so helpful and has helped me to make my mind up I think to make the purchase. I do already have a handheld Tommee Tippee pump but now that you've recommended this it sounds like something which would be perfect for fitting around the routine I'm hoping to follow.

@Bellsx and @Bettie2192 no problem! Good luck with everything when your LOs arrive

@CupcakesK thank you, I'll be 38 weeks on Thursday so hopefully our little boy won't keep us waiting too much longer 😍

@Bellsx oh, I bet you can’t wait! The last few weeks go so slowly, don’t they?! I hope the birth goes well too

@CupcakesK I haven't found them too bad actually and considering I've been pregnant through this pandemic I have found most of my pregnancy to go quite quickly, deffo ready to meet him now though.

I used a Haakaa with both mine.

I combi fed DS and hated it so wanted to EBF DD when she came. She helped by feeding well and hating bottles (even though we introduced them the same way and time as for DS)

I used my Haakaa mostly then for helping with engorgement. It's really good for that.

This thread has been so good to read, Im hoping to breastfeed but have hubby do one or two feeds with the bottle so the haakaa pump sounds good 👍

Aldi have there own version of this in the baby event that's on at the moment for £4.99. I think it's sold out online but I managed to get one in store today. Not used yet so can't comment on how good it is but seems good quality.

I've had 2 cheaper versions of this, both from amazon - the Mothersucker and the Naturebond. Both worked just as well but o would always recommend the Naturebond as it came with a few accessories that make useage so much easier. A neck strap that you wear like a necklace to stop the pump falling if it gets too heavy and detaches, and a silicone stopper as they are easy to knock over. I've knocked mine over a few times with the stopper in and it doesnt come out or leak at all (saving lots of tears as we all know expressed milk is more valuable than gold!)