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Having a baby is one of life’s most exciting adventures, and also one of the most overwhelming when it comes not just to knowing what you need, but...
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Discover tips, real mum stories, and creative ways to make the most of your Haakaa products.
Having a baby is one of life’s most exciting adventures, and also one of the most overwhelming when it comes not just to knowing what you need, but...
Hello, Haakaa family! We're so excited to share something we've been working on for a while now (and that you may have already noticed): our comple...
As with our Gen 1, 2 & 3 pumps, the Shell works by utilising continuous natural suction. Simply press the back, attach to your breast, ensuring your nipple isn't pressing against the side, then pop your bra back on, release, and let it do its thing!
If you find you've made it a little bit stronger than you're comfortable with, press the valve to let in a bit of extra air – this will decrease the suction level. If, however, you want the suction to be a bit stronger, there's no need to remove and try again. Instead, press on the back of the Shell to push a bit more air out, and the vacuum effect will increase, giving you stronger suction.
There are a couple of differences between the Shell and the Gen 1, 2 & 3 Haakaa pumps you might be more familiar with. First of all is the shape. Rather than a flange that directs milk down into a bottle design, the Shell is a shell-shaped pump that sits right in your bra for discreet use.
The second difference lies in the valve. This tiny little innovation lets you adjust the suction strength as you're using the pump – no more having to remove it if you've attached it with too much or too little suction! To increase the suction level, simply press on the back of the Shell while it's still attached. You can even do this while there's milk in there – just be careful not to push any out. If, however, it's a bit strong and you wish to decrease the level, you can push the valve to open it, letting air in and therefore lowering the suction level.
While the Shell and the Ladybug may both look slightly similar, their functions are quite different. The Shell is an adjustable breast pump that lets you actively express milk from your breasts, while the Ladybug is a passive milk collector – that is, it will collect milk that is already leaking from your breasts rather than having it go to waste in a disposable nursing pad or staining your clothes.
Which one you get will come down to what you need from it. If you plan to express milk, one of our pumps, including the Shell, could be the best option for you. If instead you want to collect leakage and letdown without expressing any more, then the Ladybug is just the thing you need. And if you want to do both? The Shell is perfectly placed to function as either!
If your Shell Pump is losing suction often, it could be due to residue on the silicone. The most common causes of residue forming is either from breastmilk (as breastmilk is high in fat) or lotions that you may have used on your skin.
To improve the suction, make a thick paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Give the pump a really good scrub with this, and leave it to sit with it on for an hour or two.
After this:
If there is residue that has built up, causing the pump to lose suction, this should help remove it. If you have been using lotions on your skin, ensure they are cleaned off thoroughly before attaching your Shell.
There are many reasons you may be having trouble. First up, ensure both the Shell and your skin are free from residue – milk residue and skin creams & lotions can both affect its ability to form a tight seal. Remove any moisturisers from your skin, and try giving the Shell a good scrub in warm, soapy water. Boiling the pump in a 50:50 mix of water and white vinegar for several minutes then removing and allowing to cool and dry can help, as well as trying the baking soda and white vinegar tip – make a thick paste with these and scrub the pump, especially where it comes in contact with your skin. Leave it on for an hour or two, then go through the soapy water and boiling routine.
If you're having trouble getting the Shell to attach, try pressing the back, then attaching by rolling it upwards from below your nipple until your nipple is fully enclosed – check out our Instagram and TikTok accounts for a video demonstration.
Finally, you may need a pump with slightly stronger suction strength. The Shell has slightly less suction than our Gen 1, 2 & 3 pumps. If attachment isn't an issue, you may need to move up a step when it comes to suction strength to be able to express milk.
Get everything you need for comfortable, safe and effective pumping in our bundles.
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