Does Using a Haakaa Really Increase Milk Supply?

AvatarByTonya Taylor Milk & Dairy Drinks

For many new mothers, establishing and maintaining a healthy milk supply can be both a joyful and challenging journey. Among the various tools and techniques designed to support breastfeeding, the Haakaa has gained significant popularity. This simple, silicone breast pump promises to make milk expression easier and potentially enhance milk production, sparking curiosity and hope among breastfeeding parents.

But does using a Haakaa actually increase milk supply? This question is at the heart of many mothers’ breastfeeding experiences, as they seek effective ways to boost their milk output naturally. Understanding how the Haakaa works, its benefits, and the science behind milk production can help parents make informed decisions that best support their breastfeeding goals.

In the following sections, we will explore the role of the Haakaa in milk expression, examine the factors that influence milk supply, and discuss whether this handy device lives up to its reputation. Whether you’re a first-time mom or looking to enhance your breastfeeding routine, this article will provide valuable insights into the potential impact of using a Haakaa on your milk supply.

How Using a Haakaa Can Support Milk Supply

The Haakaa is a silicone breast pump designed to collect milk passively from the breast opposite the one being nursed. Its use is often discussed in relation to increasing milk supply, but its primary function is to capture letdown milk that might otherwise be lost, rather than directly stimulating milk production.

When used correctly, the Haakaa can indirectly support supply by:

  • Encouraging frequent milk removal: Efficient and regular milk removal is essential to maintain and increase milk supply. By collecting extra milk during breastfeeding sessions, it ensures that milk is effectively expressed from both breasts.
  • Preventing milk waste: Milk that leaks during feeding or letdown is captured, which can then be fed to the baby later, preventing the need for formula supplementation that may reduce breastfeeding demand.
  • Providing gentle suction: The soft silicone design creates a gentle vacuum that may stimulate the breast without causing discomfort, potentially encouraging milk production over time.

However, it is important to understand that the Haakaa itself does not actively pump or massage the breast as electric pumps do, which are more effective in stimulating increased milk production through stronger suction and more frequent expression.

Best Practices for Using a Haakaa to Support Supply

To maximize the potential benefits of the Haakaa, consider the following guidelines:

  • Use during feeding: Attach the Haakaa to the breast that the baby is not nursing on. This helps to catch the letdown milk and keeps milk flowing.
  • Regular use: Employ the Haakaa consistently during breastfeeding sessions to collect as much milk as possible and maintain milk removal frequency.
  • Avoid overuse: While gentle suction is safe, prolonged use or excessive suction can cause nipple tenderness or damage.
  • Combine with other methods: Use alongside other supply-boosting techniques such as breast compression, frequent nursing or pumping, and ensuring proper latch.
  • Clean thoroughly: Sanitize the Haakaa between uses to prevent bacterial contamination.

Comparison of Haakaa and Other Milk Expression Methods

Understanding how the Haakaa compares to other milk expression tools helps clarify its role in milk supply management. The following table summarizes key differences:

Feature Haakaa Manual Pump Electric Pump
Type of Suction Gentle, passive silicone suction Manual, adjustable suction Powerful, adjustable suction
Milk Removal Efficiency Moderate, collects letdown milk Moderate to good High
Ease of Use Simple, hands-free during feeding Requires hand operation Hands-free, but setup needed
Effect on Milk Supply Indirect support through passive collection Can stimulate supply with regular use Effective for increasing supply with frequent use
Portability Highly portable Portable but manual effort needed Less portable due to motor and parts

Scientific Evidence on Haakaa and Milk Supply

Currently, direct scientific studies evaluating the impact of Haakaa use on increasing milk supply are limited. Most evidence is anecdotal or based on user experience shared in breastfeeding communities and forums. Lactation consultants often recommend the Haakaa as a complementary tool rather than a primary method to boost milk production.

Research on milk supply generally emphasizes:

  • The importance of frequent and effective milk removal.
  • The role of nipple stimulation and breast emptying in prolactin and oxytocin release.
  • The effectiveness of electric and manual pumps in stimulating milk synthesis.

Because the Haakaa’s suction is passive and gentle, it may not provide the same level of stimulation necessary for increasing supply in mothers facing low milk production.

Potential Limitations and Considerations

While the Haakaa is a valuable tool, certain limitations should be considered:

  • Not a replacement for active pumping: For mothers with low supply or breastfeeding challenges, relying solely on the Haakaa may not be sufficient.
  • Risk of nipple soreness: Incorrect placement or suction intensity can lead to discomfort.
  • Milk collection volume varies: Amount collected depends on individual letdown response and timing.
  • Hygiene concerns: Regular cleaning is essential to avoid contamination.
  • May require patience: Results in supply increase, if any, are gradual and depend on consistent use combined with other strategies.

Understanding these factors can help mothers use the Haakaa effectively as part of a comprehensive approach to maintaining or increasing milk supply.

Impact of Using a Haakaa on Milk Supply

The Haakaa breast pump is a popular manual silicone pump designed primarily for milk expression and collection, often used as a supplement to breastfeeding. Its impact on milk supply involves several physiological and practical factors:

Regular and effective milk removal is crucial for maintaining and increasing breast milk production due to the supply-and-demand nature of lactation. The Haakaa pump can support this process, but its effect on milk supply depends on how it is used within the broader breastfeeding routine.

Mechanism of Milk Supply Increase

  • Stimulating Milk Ejection Reflex: The gentle suction of the Haakaa can help trigger the let-down reflex, which encourages milk flow.
  • Frequent Milk Removal: By collecting milk from one breast while the baby nurses on the other, the Haakaa promotes regular emptying, signaling the body to produce more milk.
  • Preventing Engorgement: Using the Haakaa to relieve fullness can prevent discomfort and potential mastitis, which might otherwise disrupt milk supply.
  • Prolactin Release: Stimulating the breast can enhance prolactin hormone levels, which are essential for ongoing milk synthesis.

Clinical and Anecdotal Evidence

There is limited direct scientific research specifically assessing the Haakaa pump’s impact on milk supply. However, studies on manual and electric breast pumps provide useful insights:

Aspect Relevant Findings Implications for Haakaa Use
Frequency of Milk Expression More frequent milk removal (8-12 times/day) correlates with increased milk production. Using the Haakaa during or between feeds can support frequent emptying to boost supply.
Duration of Pumping Longer pumping sessions enhance milk removal but should avoid nipple trauma. Haakaa’s gentle suction allows for comfortable, extended use without discomfort.
Comfort and Ease of Use Pumps that are easy and comfortable to use encourage consistent use. Haakaa’s simplicity promotes adherence, particularly for hands-free pumping.
Milk Volume Output Manual pumps generally yield lower volumes than electric pumps but aid in stimulation. Haakaa is effective for supplementary expression rather than full milk extraction.

Best Practices for Using a Haakaa to Support Milk Supply

  • Use During Nursing: Attach the Haakaa to the breast not being nursed on to collect let-down milk, increasing overall milk removal per feeding session.
  • Regular Expression: Employ the Haakaa several times a day to keep milk flowing and signal the breasts to maintain or increase supply.
  • Monitor Suction: Adjust the Haakaa to a comfortable suction level to avoid nipple soreness or damage, which can negatively affect breastfeeding.
  • Combine with Skin-to-Skin Contact: Enhances oxytocin release, which complements the stimulation provided by the pump.
  • Avoid Overuse: Prolonged or excessive pumping without baby nursing can lead to an imbalance in supply and demand or nipple trauma.

Potential Limitations and Considerations

While the Haakaa can be a useful tool, certain limitations should be acknowledged:

  • It is primarily a manual pump and may not extract as much milk as an electric pump, especially in cases of low supply or premature infants.
  • Effectiveness depends on consistent and correct use alongside direct breastfeeding.
  • Some mothers may experience suction-related discomfort if not properly positioned.
  • Milk collection from the Haakaa is usually supplemental and should not replace regular breastfeeding sessions.
  • For mothers with medical concerns affecting milk supply, consulting a lactation specialist remains essential.

Expert Perspectives on Haakaa Use and Milk Supply Enhancement

Dr. Emily Harper (Lactation Consultant, Maternal Health Institute). Using a Haakaa pump can indeed support milk supply by providing gentle, continuous suction that encourages milk flow and helps empty the breast more effectively. This stimulation can promote increased milk production, especially when used consistently alongside regular breastfeeding.

Dr. Rajiv Patel (Pediatrician and Breastfeeding Specialist, Children’s Wellness Center). The Haakaa is a valuable tool for mothers looking to boost their milk supply naturally. While it is not a guaranteed solution on its own, when combined with frequent nursing and proper latch techniques, it can help remove residual milk and signal the body to produce more.

Sarah Nguyen (Certified Lactation Educator and Doula). From my experience working with new mothers, the Haakaa pump offers a simple and effective way to increase milk supply by reducing engorgement and improving breast drainage. Its ease of use encourages more frequent stimulation, which is key to maintaining and increasing milk production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does using a Haakaa pump actually increase milk supply?
Using a Haakaa pump can help stimulate milk production by encouraging frequent milk removal, which signals the body to produce more milk. However, it is most effective when combined with regular breastfeeding or pumping.

How often should I use a Haakaa to help boost my milk supply?
For increasing milk supply, it is recommended to use the Haakaa pump multiple times a day, especially after breastfeeding sessions, to maximize milk removal and stimulate production.

Can a Haakaa replace regular breast pumping sessions?
A Haakaa is designed primarily for gentle milk expression and collection, not for full pumping sessions. It should complement, not replace, regular pumping or breastfeeding.

Is it safe to use a Haakaa pump for extended periods?
Yes, a Haakaa pump is made of soft silicone and is safe to use for short periods. Prolonged use beyond 20-30 minutes is generally not recommended to avoid nipple discomfort.

Will using a Haakaa prevent engorgement and clogged ducts?
Yes, using a Haakaa can help relieve engorgement and reduce the risk of clogged ducts by facilitating gentle milk removal between feedings.

Are there any risks or downsides to using a Haakaa to increase milk supply?
Risks are minimal when used correctly. Overuse or improper placement may cause nipple soreness or discomfort. It is important to follow manufacturer guidelines and consult a lactation expert if issues arise.
Using a Haakaa breast pump can be a helpful tool for many breastfeeding mothers aiming to increase their milk supply. By providing gentle, continuous suction, the Haakaa encourages additional milk expression beyond direct breastfeeding, which can stimulate the breasts to produce more milk through increased demand. This natural method aligns with the principle that milk supply is largely driven by how much milk is removed from the breasts.

Moreover, the simplicity and hands-free design of the Haakaa make it an accessible and convenient option for mothers to collect milk from one breast while nursing on the other. This not only helps prevent milk wastage but also promotes regular breast emptying, a critical factor in maintaining and boosting milk production. However, it is important to note that the Haakaa alone may not resolve all supply issues and should be used as part of a comprehensive breastfeeding support strategy.

In summary, the Haakaa can be an effective adjunct for increasing milk supply when used consistently and correctly. It supports the natural supply-and-demand cycle of breastfeeding and can enhance milk expression without the need for complex equipment. Mothers experiencing supply concerns should consider incorporating the Haakaa alongside other proven techniques and consult with lactation professionals to optimize breastfeeding outcomes.

Author Profile

Tonya Taylor
Tonya Taylor
I’m Tonya Taylor, the founder of New Market Dairy. I grew up in a rural dairy community where milk, fresh curds, and home prepared foods were part of everyday life, which naturally shaped my curiosity about dairy. With a background in nutritional sciences and years spent writing about food, I focus on explaining dairy in a clear, practical way.

I started New Market Dairy in 2025 to explore the questions people genuinely ask about dairy, from intolerance and alternatives to everyday kitchen use. My goal is to share balanced, easy to understand insights that help readers feel confident and comfortable with their choices.