Shopping for a breast pump isn’t as straightforward as buying baby products in other categories. There are so many breast pumps to choose from and they can be a bit technical and tricky to use in the beginning. Don’t worry though, we’ve made the process of shopping for a breast pump a breeze with our product and shopping guide on The Baby Edit here.

Two main styles to choose from

When it comes to shopping for breast pumps there are two main styles on the market: electric breast pumps and manual breast pumps.

Electric breast pumps are power-operated and often a larger product. They aren’t always designed to be super portable and if you do happen to take it out with you, you’ll need to make sure you have a power outlet nearby (unless it’s battery operated). The good thing about electric breast pumps is that they do the pumping for you.

They can however be a little noisy, so if you’re looking for a more compact and discreet option you may prefer a manual option. I’d recommend electric breast pumps to someone who plans to express milk a few times a day, as it will save you a lot of time and energy compared to doing the pumping manually.

You’ve probably guessed, but with a manual breast pump, you do the pumping yourself using the product in combination with your hand. If you don’t plan to express milk regularly or multiple times a day and are instead looking for a pump for: those in-between moments; when you’re on the go; or a pump to assist with catching let down, then a manual option may suit you.

Manual breast pumps are usually more compact in size and very portable. You can easily toss them in the nappy bag and use them wherever you go. They are also more discreet and less noisy compared to electric breast pumps. I wouldn’t say one style is better than the other, it’s just about personal preference and what works best for you.

What is the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump?

I tested both manual and electric breast pumps for The Baby Edit but to me the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump almost fits into a third category. Technically it is a manual breast pump as it’s not power-operated but to me it’s different to other manual pumps because instead of pumping it uses a consistent suction motion to express milk.

Key takeaways after testing this product

I predominantly breastfed Mimi but would use the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump for catching let down, when I had blocked ducts, on planes, long car trips or when we were on-the-go. I loved how portable it is and its compact size. I’d just throw it in the nappy bag and felt peace of mind knowing I could use it whenever I please.

This product is also really simple to use. To get it working, place the pump flange of the nipple. You then apply suction via squeezing the base of the pump to prompt milk flow. Another way I liked using it was by folding the pump flange backwards, squeezing out all the air, and then placing it over the nipple. I found this increased the suction and consequential milk flow and allowed me to use it hands-free.

I found this product to be really gentle and comfortable on the breast. It’s really easy to use but I’m not sure how efficient it would be if you’re expressing more than one bottle of milk a day. Also if you are using this you can only express one breast at a time, you could possibly trying using two Haakaa pumps but I didn’t test this myself.

This product is also dishwasher safe, so cleaning it was easy. I’ve used it so many times and it’s still in pretty good condition, just slight discoloration of the plastic.

Another feature I really liked about this product is that the base also has a suction grip. So after you’ve expressed milk, you can put it on the table or kitchen bench and never have to worry about crying over spilt milk!

I don’t easily recommend a baby product to every new mother but the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is one I really do think you should have in your baby product kit if you are breastfeeding. They are super affordable and cost only around $30, so why not?! The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is also great for those looking for a compact, portable breast pump you can use on-the-go or those in-between moments.

The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump was tested by Emily. Photography by Bri Hammond, produced by The Baby Edit. To find out which breast pumps ranked highest according to the thousands of Australian families we surveyed click here.

This is general information only. If you need personal, health, medical or technical advice when it comes to your growing family, please seek out a professional.