Product Review: The Haakaa Pump
- May 1
- 5 min read
Updated 2026 | Original article © 2019 Marie-Celine Farver RN BSN IBCLC
Usually a product goes by a generic description, but this product is too new to define any other way than its brand name, the Haakaa pump. Perhaps this name will ultimately stick, much as "Kleenex" came to define facial tissues and "Scotch tape" to define transparent household tape.
Developed in New Zealand in 2016, the silicone device suctions onto the breast and catches what is called "drip milk." It is applied over the nipple on the breast opposite to the one the baby is suckling on during breastfeeding. Milk that would otherwise drip or be absorbed into a nursing pad is captured by this device. In addition, milk released by a let-down (oxytocin-triggered milk ejection) is also collected. Even mothers who self-report low milk supply have been able to collect milk this way when the device is applied at the first morning feedings, when their breasts tend to be fullest.
Disclaimer: This is not a pump in the conventional sense. It is more accurately described as a milk collection device. Unlike passive collection cups that rely solely on gravity and spontaneous milk release, the Haakaa uses continuous vacuum to promote milk flow (Robertson, 2020). The advantage of the Haakaa over earlier passive collection products is that it is compact and a single piece — no assembly required.
How It Works
There are no moving parts, nor does it actively suction milk the way a breast pump does. There are a few methods to attach this device:
Method A (Fold-back flange): Compress the bulb and fold the flange back. Center the device over the nipple, then gently release the flange back over the breast to create a seal, then release the bulb. Many users find this gives the best suction.
Method B (Direct attachment): Compress the bulb, apply it over the breast centering the nipple, then release the bulb.
Method C (Press and compress): Press the flange onto the breast centering the nipple, then compress the bulb until suction is established.
In any method, there is no need to hold on to the device — it maintains itself on the breast by suction. A small amount of suction from the attachment helps evacuate the breast, but not to the degree a breast pump would.
Some women report pumping the bulb while it is on the breast. This is not the manufacturer-recommended method and has not been evaluated for effectiveness of milk removal, but it is an option some women choose.
For official attachment instructions and tips, visit: haakaausa.com/pages/haakaa-breast-pump
Current Product Line (2025)
The Haakaa line has expanded considerably since its introduction. There are now three generations available, along with companion products.
Generation 1 — The original single-piece silicone pump. Simple, no suction base. Available in 4 oz (100ml). Base price approximately $13–$16.
Generation 2 — Updated with a suction base that adheres to flat surfaces to prevent tip-overs and spills. Available in 4 oz (100ml) and 5 oz (150ml). Comes with a silicone cap. Approximately $20–$28 depending on size and accessories.
Generation 3 — Features a detachable silicone bottle that the flange screws onto, allowing expressed milk to be fed directly to baby without transferring. Available in 6 oz (160ml) and 9 oz (250ml). Compatible with interchangeable attachments (bottle nipple, sealing disk, sippy spout, feeding spoon — each sold separately). Approximately $30–$45.
Ladybug Milk Collector — A newer, smaller wearable-style passive collection device that fits inside a bra. Available in 2.5 oz (75ml). A good option for mothers looking for a more discreet collection method. Because there is no suction involved, you may notice less volume collected.
All models are BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free food-grade silicone. Most are dishwasher safe, and all can be sterilized by boiling in water for 2–3 minutes or by steam sterilizer. Do not use bleach-based cleaning agents or UV sterilizers, as these can damage or cloud the silicone.
Current pricing and availability:
haakaausa.com (official US store — free shipping on domestic retail orders; FSA/HSA eligible)
Amazon, Target, and Walmart also carry multiple Haakaa models
Clinical Considerations
Since this is not an active pump, it is not intended to replace pumping for mothers who need to pump to establish or maintain a milk supply. It is widely reported to be less likely to cause oversupply than electric or manual pumping, because the suction is gentle and passive rather than rhythmic and active. That said, frequent use has been identified as a potential cause of oversupply, and its effect on prolactin levels is not well studied (Robertson, 2020).
Be aware that this device will primarily collect foremilk rather than hindmilk, as it is not actively emptying the breast (Robertson, 2020).
One important clinical note: Using the Haakaa on the contralateral breast while baby is feeding is often marketed as a convenient "set it and forget it" approach. However, use caution with this practice — the milk removed from the second breast may be milk the baby needs. It is generally advisable to use the Haakaa after a feed, or when you are certain the baby will feed from both sides and a third or fourth breast's worth of milk is available. Mothers with established supply building a freezer stash are the ideal users for this approach.
Results vary widely. In a survey of over 5,100 families, 76% reported collecting at least 1 oz per use, though a meaningful minority collected little or no milk (Robertson, 2020). Volumes collected will typically be less than those achieved with a single or double electric pump. Proper attachment technique is essential — many families who experienced difficulty reported that watching instructional videos corrected their application errors (Robertson, 2020).
Some families may find the Haakaa incompatible with their anatomy. Mothers with very small or very large breasts, conical breast shape, or elastic breast tissue have reported difficulty obtaining a good seal or comfortable suction (Robertson, 2020). If attachment is consistently painful or the pump will not stay in place, it may simply not be the right tool for that individual.
Practical Uses
Catching let-down on the unused breast during nursing
Building a freezer stash with minimal effort (Robertson, 2020)
Travel (compact, silent, no cords or batteries)
Discreet use during car rides, flights, or events
Quiet use during night feedings when baby is in a light sleep state
Cup feeding: the groove in the flange section can be used to tip milk toward a baby's lips for cup feeding
Comfort and relief from breast fullness (Robertson, 2020)
The Name
Haakaa is a 100% family-owned, New Zealand-based company (Haakaa, n.d.-a). The name carries the meaning "to be a strong fighter," chosen to evoke strength and solidarity among users. The haka is a ceremonial posture dance of the Māori people of New Zealand, performed historically on the battlefield as well as at peaceful gatherings, expressing tribal pride, strength, and unity (Cunningham, 2025).
Summary
The Haakaa is a simple, affordable, and widely available milk collection device best suited to mothers with an established milk supply who want to save milk that would otherwise be lost. It is not a replacement for electric pumping when supply building is the goal, but as a supplement to breastfeeding it is a practical, low-cost tool.
References
Cunningham, J. M. (2025, April 4). Haka. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/haka
Haakaa. (n.d.-a). About Haakaa. https://haakaa.com/
Haakaa. (n.d.-b). Haakaa breast pump instructions. Haakaa USA. https://haakaausa.com/pages/haakaa-breast-pump
Haakaa. (n.d.-c). Generation 1 silicone breast pump 4 oz. Haakaa USA. https://haakaausa.com/products/haakaa-generation-1-silicone-breast-pump-4-oz
Haakaa. (n.d.-d). Generation 2 silicone breast pump with suction base 5 oz. Haakaa USA. https://haakaausa.com/products/haakaa-silicone-breast-pump-with-suction-base-5-oz-1pk-1
Haakaa. (n.d.-e). Generation 3 silicone breast pump. Haakaa USA. https://haakaausa.com/products/haakaa-gen-3-silicone-breast-pump-1-pk
Robertson, B. D. (2020). New kid on the block: The Haakaa style silicone breast pump. Clinical Lactation, 11(3), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.1891/CLINLACT-D-20-00004
Marie-Celine Farver RN BSN IBCLC © 2019, updated 2025
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