Review: Haakaa Manual Breast Pump – What You Need To Know

Every mother wants to provide her baby with her breastmilk, also called the ‘human gold’, and not waste a single drop of it. Are you going back to work while you are still breast feeding and don’t want to switch to formula? Are you looking for the right product for your breastfeeding journey? Are you scared off by the high prices of electric pumps? Are you looking for an easy solution that doesn’t take time or effort?

The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump was THE solution for me and here is why.

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump At A Glance

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Pros

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Cons

Why should you listen to me?

With my first daughter I went back to work 8 weeks after she was born, at the end of maternity leave. As week 5-6 approached post partum I started freaking out about how I would build my breast milk storage for her time at day care, which pump to use, if I’d even have enough supply and so forth. Spending a full day researching pumps, watching Youtube Videos with reviews, realizing the product that I finally thought I wanted wasn’t available in and wouldn’t ship to Japan, certainly did not help.

Thankfully, Tokyo Pregnancy Group was hosting a meeting committed to breast feeding around that time. It was there that I learned about the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump from a fellow momma. The ease with which she was able to collect many ml of breast milk while feeding her baby had me more than interested. After a short research of the product at home by myself, the order was sent. A couple of days later, the pump arrived. It took the advice from a YouTube momma and a few tries to become completely at ease with it.

Since then, I have become THE BIGGEST fan of the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump. It was the only product I used for about 9-10 months of the breast feeding journey with my first daughter. It allowed me to prepare breastmilk for her time at daycare with the smallest amount of effort and time needed. What else is a busy momma looking for?

It’s been the only tool I’ve used with my second and third daughter. I have gifted it to several pregnant friends, I am recommending it to anyone who is pregnant and I am using it again for my second daughter (the same pump).

Feature 1: Effectiveness & Efficiency

• It covers the complete nipple and therefore catches every drop.
• The negative pressure has a pumping function and helps you collect more than just the natural let down.
• Depending on your milk supply you can collect breastmilk for another feeding session without spending extra time or effort on it.

Feature 2: Ease of Use

• It takes less than 10 seconds to latch it on (after a few practice runs that weren’t all smooth in my case).
• Due to the negative pressure the pump latches on and does not need to be held. Neither by your hands nor by a bra.
• After using it, just throw it in a pot with boiling water to sterilize it.
• The molding of the flange makes it easy to transfer the breastmilk into a breast milk storage bag without spilling.
• It is a very low maintenance product: no need to assemble different parts, no need to charge, no cable, no batteries.
• Ready to use whenever you need it. It only needs to be cleaned and sterilized properly.

Feature 3: Durability

• It seems pretty indestructible and unbreakable.
• After using it multiple times on a daily basis for at least 10 months, it hasn’t lost any of its qualities or functionality.

Feature 4: Price

• Very good price point

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Competitors

Here are other brands offering the same style of manual breast pump (in alphabetical order). I have not tried any of these so I cannot speak to their quality.

• BumbleBee
• Dr. Brown’s
• Eco Inspired
• Elefbebe
• Godehone
• Hofish
• Lansinoh
• NatureBond
• Nuby

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Alternatives

Before having my first daughter, I had heard about women ‘leaking’ and about breast pads. What I didn’t know was that when you’re feeding your baby the other breast ‘is letting go’ or starting to leak a few seconds into feeding. This happened to me all the time and created such a mess as it was too much for the pads to hold. The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump was a perfect solution for this. Since calling “Babe, can you bring me the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump” was way too long, I started referring to it as the ‘milk catcher’ to my husband. Also, this was its primary function to me in the beginning. Later, I realized that there are actual ‘milk collectors’ on the market.

If you are only looking for a way to catch the natural letdown, then this product might be suited for you as an alternative to the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump.

• Babebay Breast Shells
• CradlePlus Breast Shell & Nipple Shield
• Haakaa Silicone Breast Milk Collector
• Lacti Cups Breast Shells & Breastmilk Collector
• Milkies Milk-Saver
• Mommyz Love Breast Shell & Milk Catcher

Who is Haakaa Manual Breast Pump right for?

• Busy mommas who do not want to spend extra time and effort
• Mommas with a lot of milk supply
• Mommas who want to do more than just catch the natural letdown while feeding
• Price conscious mommas
• Mommas looking to build their milk storage

Who should avoid Haakaa Manual Breast Pump?

• Mommas with sensitive breasts and nipples. The suction created by the negative pressure can be felt quite a bit in my experience. For the natural let down, the ‘breast shells’ might be better suited for you.

Conclusion

For me, there is no better product to accompany my breast feeding journey than the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump. It helps me to avoid any messes from natural let down, catches all precious breast milk during or in between feedings, it is so easy to use and comes at such an affordable price.

With distributors in 26 countries and available on amazon, the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump is easily available.

Have you tried the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump? Share your experience in the comments below.