Breast Pump vs Ladybug Milk Collector vs Shell – Which One Should I Use?
Article written and published by the team at Haakaa here. Image credited to Haakaa. Haakaa now has three similar yet quite different products to help you express, collect and store breastmilk – the original pump, the Ladybug milk collector and now the brand-new Shell Wearable silicone pump. So, what are the differences between pump, collector, and Shell – and which one should you use? Let’s break down the strengths of each of these products so you can make a more informed decision about which one is best for you!
OG Haakaa Pump
The original Haakaa Pump is probably the one you’re most familiar with. Haakaa has three generations of pump – the OG Gen. 1, the upgraded Gen. 2, and the multipurpose Gen. 3. These are all pumps – that is, they actively draw milk out of your breasts to be used later. While they all feature the same flange, designed to fit almost every breast shape and size, they still differ in areas. Let’s have a quick look at the variations between them!
Gen 1
The Generation 1 pump is, of course, the original Haakaa pump. Compact, inexpensive, and easy to use, this is the one that started it all. It features a flat base and comes in a convenient 100ml size. As it is made from a single piece of food-grade silicone, it is exceptionally easy to care for – all you need is hot, soapy water and a soft-bristle brush to wash it. To sterilise, boil it in water for 2-3 minutes or use a steam steriliser!
Gen 2
The Generation 2 is almost the same as the Gen. 1, but with a couple of very key differences. First up is the suction base, which helps keep your pump stable when stuck to a flat surface (the smoother the surface, the more strongly it will hold). That means no more accidentally knocking over your pump after you’ve expressed your milk! The second difference is the size. While it also comes in 100ml, just like the Gen. 1, there is also the option of getting it in a slightly larger 150ml capacity – ideal for those who are able to express a little more.
Gen 3
Finally, the Gen. 3 pump is a whole different pump. As mentioned above, the flange is exactly the same as the Gen. 1 & 2 pumps, but that’s where the physical similarities end. The Gen. 3 is slightly bigger, coming in 160ml and 250ml capacities. Whereas the other versions are made of one solid piece of silicone, the Gen. 3 is able to be separated. What does this mean? When you finish expressing your milk, you can remove the flange and change the pump body into a storage container or a bottle – there’s no need to transfer your milk, reducing the risk of spilling it. That’s not all, though. As well as the pump flange, bottle top, and storage container lid, the Gen. 3 also has a spoon-feeding attachment, a sippy spout lid, and handles to turn it into a toddler cup (250ml only). All these attachments, which you can grab as and when you need them, mean you can use the Gen. 3 pump from the time bubs arrives right through to toddlerhood. How convenient is that?
Ladybug Milk Collector
Unlike the pumps, the Ladybug is a passive collector. That means all it will do is collect leakage and let-down – milk that your breasts are already releasing. What it doesn’t do is actively draw out milk the way a pump does; rather, it is an alternative to breast pads. So why would you use a Ladybug rather than a nursing pad? First and foremost, using a Ladybug to collect that milk means you can still use it, rather than throwing it away in a used pad. If you empty it regularly (within two hours), you can add it to your stash to give to your baby, or if you’ve left it a little longer, you can use it in other ways, such as adding to your little one’s bath water. It’s worth reinforcing once more, though, that the Ladybug is not a pump. It won’t actively draw out milk, and the suction levels are minimal – only enough to keep it attached while you get it sorted in your bra. If you need to express milk, a pump will be the more suitable option for you.
Shell Wearable Breast Pump
All of this brings us to the newest member of the Haakaa family – the Shell Wearable breast pump. What exactly is a wearable pump, you may be asking? In short, it’s an active pump that is shaped and sized a little more like the Ladybug, which means you can continue to pump – on both sides, should you desire – with it tucked away, safe and secure, inside your bra. It has thicker walls than the Ladybug, which enables it to have a more substantial level of suction – it’s this that allows it to work as a pump. But what makes the Shell special is the valve on top. This valve will enable you to strengthen or lessen the suction, which means you can use it not only as an active pump but also as a passive collector! It comes in two capacities – 75ml and the slightly larger 125ml, which means it can be an ideal choice for those who either don’t express huge quantities or aren’t quite sure whether they want to pump or just collect. While the Shell is not a specialist device, it does, nevertheless, provide good, strong suction that can be removed by pressing the valve or unplugging the outlet.
Which Should I Choose?
That all depends on your specific needs. The Ladybug is the perfect option if you have no plans to express milk but would like to collect your leakage and let-down rather than wasting it in a nursing pad. If you want to express a lot but don’t have much or any leakage or let-down (and many mums don’t), then any of the Gen. 1, Gen. 2 or Gen. 3 pumps is probably the best for you. However, the Shell could be a great choice if you need both or can’t quite decide which one will be the most useful. The Shell can also be fantastic if you want to try both, but then find you only need one – you can either continue using it the way you need, or switch to a more specialised option.
