What is a silicone breastmilk collector?

Silicone breastmilk collectors - also known as a "Haakaa" after the company that pioneered them - are a type of manual pump that can suction itself to one breast while you are nursing on the opposite breast. It goes beyond passive milk collection by actively removing milk using a vacuum suction to the breast. This gentle form of milk removal works best during a let down which occurs in both breasts simultaneously while baby is breastfeeding. Mothers can change how strong the vacuum suction is by how much they squeeze the bulb when attaching the pump and by whether or not they invert the flange when applying. See the video above for a demonstration.

When to Use a Silicone Breastmilk Collector - First Breast or Second?

Mothers with high milk production can use the collector on the opposite breast while still nursing on the first breast. Many women with high milk production can collect 2-3oz this way during a feed. After baby finishes the first breast, remove the collector (or switch it to the opposite side) and offer baby the second breast. A word of caution: if used several times a day this can stimulate oversupply. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend limiting "freezer stash" milk expression to 3 oz per day to avoid unpleasant oversupply symptoms. If you wish to collect drip milk passively without stimulating oversupply you can gently rest the milk collector against the breast with no added suction or use milk saver shells.

Mothers with average or low milk production should wait to apply the silicone breastmilk collector until after baby finishes nursing on the first breast. When baby finishes the first breast and switches sides, mothers with low-average production can then apply the collector to the breast baby already finished to catch the "leftover" milk. The reason it is not recommended to apply it to the second breast before baby nurses is that baby may need first dibs on all the available milk if mother has low-average milk production or small breast storage capacity. We have seen babies that are underfed when the silicone collector removes too much milk prior to baby being given access. As long as you wait to apply it to your breast until baby finishes the first side and you are ready to switch sides, then mothers with average production can use it as many times a day as they want. Most women with low-average milk production can collect around 1 oz per feed when using it this way.