So now that I have a newborn baby Michael, I jumped at the chance to finally use the Haakaa.
Tried Haakaa for the first time while I was still in hospital and loved it!!!
Was so happy to get my first ounce within a few minutes of using it (this happened around day 5 post-partum). It was like hey totally effortless.
Based on my experience the past few weeks, here's how best to use it:
Start using it the day your milk comes in (before that, just direct latch baby for colostrum or hand express and collect in syringe). Once milk comes in, you might only draw droplets the first time you use it. But because it's effortless, you can just leave it suctioned on one boob while you nurse baby on other side. You will be surprised how the droplets accumulate in the Haakaa after just 10 minutes of latching baby.
Towards the end of the first week, the droplets became more of the flow of a badly leaking tap so you can get an ounce collected within a few minutes. So magical! Eventually, once past the transitional phase, you can get sprays/let down collected in the Haakaa while nursing baby.
Sometimes when I miss a feed, because my baby is on formula feed too... my boobs start leaking. I use the Haakaa on them to contain the drips (without baby latching on other side) but I have found that it doesn't collect as much... much less. So I find that it's best for use while baby is latching on one side. If you want to just pump milk out without latching baby, you will be better off with an electric pump. (But I won't use one this time..)
I had such a shit time being an exclusively pumping mum when Myla Rae was an infant. Seriously tiring, ultra ultra time consuming and brutal on the nipples for me. So this time round, I'm just going to use the Haakaa to clear one boob (in tandem with latching) everytime I feed Michael. It has made my life much easier, practically do nothing just suction it on to one boob while Michael nurses on the other.
Based on my experience the past few weeks, here's how best to use it:
Start using it the day your milk comes in (before that, just direct latch baby for colostrum or hand express and collect in syringe). Once milk comes in, you might only draw droplets the first time you use it. But because it's effortless, you can just leave it suctioned on one boob while you nurse baby on other side. You will be surprised how the droplets accumulate in the Haakaa after just 10 minutes of latching baby.
Towards the end of the first week, the droplets became more of the flow of a badly leaking tap so you can get an ounce collected within a few minutes. So magical! Eventually, once past the transitional phase, you can get sprays/let down collected in the Haakaa while nursing baby.
Sometimes when I miss a feed, because my baby is on formula feed too... my boobs start leaking. I use the Haakaa on them to contain the drips (without baby latching on other side) but I have found that it doesn't collect as much... much less. So I find that it's best for use while baby is latching on one side. If you want to just pump milk out without latching baby, you will be better off with an electric pump. (But I won't use one this time..)
I had such a shit time being an exclusively pumping mum when Myla Rae was an infant. Seriously tiring, ultra ultra time consuming and brutal on the nipples for me. So this time round, I'm just going to use the Haakaa to clear one boob (in tandem with latching) everytime I feed Michael. It has made my life much easier, practically do nothing just suction it on to one boob while Michael nurses on the other.
Also, I don't use full suction (my nipple pain threshold like damn low lol), I find that I can use it longer and get a better yield if it's a more comfortable gentle suction. So I only squeeze the Haakaa slightly when attaching it to boob.
I also find the 100ml size better than the larger 150ml size. Firstly because I am not like an over supplier, so I won't reach 150ml one boob in the ten minutes I use the Haakaa. Plus now I practice emptying the Haakaa into a bottle after every ounce collected. Otherwise it gets too heavy and you risk the suction releasing itself. This is a lesson I learnt the painful way.
Use the football hold to nurse baby to get his legs legs out of the way, otherwise his legs will kick the Haakaa while he's nursing and that could cause the suction to release.
Use the cover/ stopper whenever it's not attached to your breast, no matter how short a time it is for. Firstly, it's damn pretty (flower!) plus it prevents contamination, and also prevents accidental spillage (even though the suction below the Haakaa is very good).. you can never be too careful :)
Here’s the basics on how to use the Haakaa.
- No complicated set up. Just squeeze the bottom of the pump and put it over your nipple.
- Release your hand, and the Haakaa will stay in place. It will collect milk flow.
- To get let down, you can massage your boob before attaching the pump and then squeeze the pump a few times. Or if you are nursing baby on other breast, just relax and let the baby initiate the whole process for you (to me this is the easiest and most effortless way).
What I love :
It’s affordable. Much cheaper than electric and manual pumps, yet much more effective than plain hand expressing.
It’s portable. Great for travel, plane rides etc etc as no need to worry about electric power sockets and it’s small and light enough to just pop in any handbag.
Soft and comfy. The flange is a soft silicon and I find that very gentle and comfortable on the breast and especially the nipple. The hard plastic flanges of other pumps hurt my nipples, especially with prolonged use.
Easy to clean. Yes maybe I'm lazy but I’m also damn busy la, no maid, taking care of a 2yo who isn't in Childcare and a newborn while carrying out household chores. The less stuff I have to wash up the better. No tubing or separate flanges etc to wash and sterilise is a BIG plus!
Best for catching let down. It’s has a gentle suction, and it’s a good hands free way to catch let down. Especially great to use in tandem on one breast while feeding Michael on the other breast. And it’s noiseless, so it doesn’t distract the baby (compared to if I were to tandem pump with an electric pump).
Flower stopper. The stopper to hold the milk in place is so pretty plus it does an awesome job of plugging the Haakaa. No spills. I've had it filled with milk and in my diaper bag and it didn't spill... although if your diaper bag is disorganised or you carry things roughly, I highly advice you transfer milk to a bottle or milk bag.
For Breast Feeding Month, Haakaa Singapore is having a 15% promotion (for selected products only, including the Haakaa pumps). Just use code "BFM15OFF" upon checkout to enjoy the offer. Offer ends 31 August 2018..
For Breast Feeding Month, Haakaa Singapore is having a 15% promotion (for selected products only, including the Haakaa pumps). Just use code "BFM15OFF" upon checkout to enjoy the offer. Offer ends 31 August 2018..
Giveaway time!!!!
Haakaa Singapore would like to give one of you the chance to experience the magic of the Haakaa pump.
1. FOLLOW @Haakaa_Singapore & @Hollyjean69 on IG
2. LIKE Haakaa Singapore’s Facebook Page
3. LIKE my Instragram post and then tag your mummy/daddy/preggers friends in the comments there.
Giveaway runs from now until 8th August. Winner will be picked randomly by my Myla Rae via FB live on the 8th of Aug evening (she won’t be biased, she’s just 2!). Good luck!
Comments
Post a Comment