It’s World Breast Feeding week (August 1st-7th) and if you’ve spent any amount of time on social media you’ve probably seen pictures and posts from Moms talking about their journey.
.jpeg)
Some of them have had seemingly picture perfect breastfeeding relationships and while others have cataloged their journey down a winding path with lots of bumps in the road.
Each side is beautiful and having the right support, education and tools can help you navigate this newfound journey.
Locally we have two support groups available 24/7 thanks to Facebook:
- Boob Group– a secret group an existing member has to add you to in order to be found
- La Leche League of Beaufort County– which you can search and add yourself to, there is also a Facebook Page you can like and follow
Often these communities of shared experiences have the best kept secrets and tips being swapped. If you’re already a member of some Mom groups, whether the topic is breastfeeding specific or not, I’m sure you’ve seen a post from a Mom in the middle of the night begging for help due to tenderness, questions about clearing clogged ducts, mentions of mastitis and find the comments are often filled with whisperings of this magical cure-all called a Haakaa.
Maybe you were brave enough to Google it.
Maybe you were scared you’d find a torture device, but trust me you need a Haakaa in your life.
First things first, what the heck is it?
A Haakaa is a milk catching, manual silicone breast pump that uses built-up suction to gently remove milk.
Fantastic for removing milk from engorged breasts, great for Moms having difficulty hand expressing and a shirt saver for Mamas with an overactive let-down from the other breast.
You may be thinking, aren’t there tons of pumps on the market?
Why is this one so special?
Well my darling, this little device gets its magical unicorn reputation from it’s 100% noise-free, hands-free, easy to clean, no setup ease of use.
Throw in that the first generation was exactly one piece to use, it takes up less space than a container of wipes, costs around $20 and requires zero electricity and you can quickly see why busy Milk Makin’ Mamas around the globe are singing the Haakaa’s praises.
Now if you’re thinking, there’s a catch.
There has to be a catch right?
To use this thing I need a Ph.D. in Architecture or BioEngineering.
Wrong.
Applying this pump is as simple as squeezing the chamber, pressing against your breast and releasing the chamber. Voila! Your pump is now attached with no need to hold it.
Details on the generational differences:
- The 1st generation 100mL with lid
.jpeg)
- 2nd generation 150mL suction cup bottom with lid
.jpeg)
- The 3rd generation 160mL convert from pump to bottle
.jpeg)
More proof this thing is a magical unicorn, Haakaa Hacks:
To prevent spilling place your Haakaa in a coffee mug when you set it down, it is the perfect height with a wide base that will keep your liquid gold ready for storage.
The secret sauce for removing clogged ducts, fill your Haakaa with warm water and a tablespoon of Epsom salt then attach as normal to the affected breast. The combo of heat, salt and suction should help clear the duct. If it doesn’t work the first time you can do it up to four times a day until the clog clears.
If you’ve got a sore nipple, fill the Haakaa with Saline and allow your nipple to sit in the water, this will help speed healing and make breastfeeding in those first few weeks or through teething a little less painful. (Remember, breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. While some discomfort is normal in the beginning you should never be in pain that makes you curl your toes, want to run from your kid or like you’ve got a clothespin on your nipple. If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms or have cracked, bleeding nipples please contact a lactation professional for support!)
What Haakaa Hacks do you have to share with other breastfeeding Mamas?
