Why We Returned the Haaka
Awkward shape, easy to knock over, constantly spilling milk. The Elvie Curve is better in every way.
The Moment
Week 4 postpartum. I'm nursing Forest on one side, using the Haaka on the other side to catch letdown. It's working - I'm collecting 2 ounces of milk I would have lost to a nursing pad.
Then Forest kicks. The Haaka tips over. 2 ounces of liquid gold spills all over the couch.
I cry. Not because 2 ounces matters that much. Because I'm exhausted and hormonal and I just wasted 20 minutes of pumping.
This happens three more times that week. The Haaka is too tall, too unstable, too easy to knock over. I order the Elvie Curve and never look back.
The Conflict
The Haaka is iconic. Every breastfeeding mother has one or has considered getting one. It's cheap ($15-$20), simple, and effective at catching letdown from the non-nursing breast.
But it has design flaws that make it frustrating to use:
- Bulbous shape: Sticks out from your body, making it easy to knock over
- Top-heavy when full: Even a small bump can tip it
- No spill protection: If it tips, all the milk goes everywhere
- Hard to use discreetly: The shape is obvious under clothes
- Requires suction: Can be uncomfortable or fall off if not positioned perfectly
The Elvie Curve solves all of these problems. It's not perfect, but it's significantly better.
What these devices do
Passive milk collectors (Haaka, Elvie Curve) use gentle suction to catch milk that would otherwise leak into nursing pads during letdown. They're not pumps - they don't actively extract milk. They just collect what's already flowing. Great for building a small freezer stash without extra pumping sessions.
The Learning
After switching to the Elvie Curve, I never spilled milk again. Here's why it's better:
Low Profile Design
The Elvie Curve is flat against your body, not bulbous. It's much harder to knock over. You can lean forward, move around, hold baby without worrying about it tipping.
Spill-Proof Cap
The Elvie has a valve that prevents spills even if it does get bumped. The Haaka has no such protection - if it tips, you lose everything.
More Discreet
The flat design means it's less visible under clothes. Not that you're going out in public while nursing a newborn, but it's nice for when family is over.
Easier to Use One-Handed
The Haaka requires two hands to position and create suction. The Elvie clicks into your bra with one hand. When you're holding a baby, this matters.
Downside: Price
The Elvie Curve costs $50 vs. $15 for the Haaka. But I never cried over spilled milk again, so worth it.
When to use it
During nursing sessions to catch letdown from the opposite breast. When you have oversupply and leak constantly. When building a small freezer stash without adding pumping sessions. Not a replacement for a pump if you're exclusively pumping or away from baby for long periods.
The Updated Rule
Skip the Haaka. Get the Elvie Curve. Yes, it's more expensive. But if you spill milk even once, the Haaka has cost you more than $50 in wasted effort and tears.
Comparison:
| Feature | Haaka | Elvie Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15 | $50 |
| Spill risk | High | Low |
| Profile | Bulky | Flat |
| Ease of use | Two hands | One hand |
| Discretion | Obvious | Better |
What I'd tell past me
Don't buy the Haaka just because it's cheap. You'll use this every day for months. Spend the extra $35 and get something that won't make you cry when it tips over. The Elvie Curve is worth it. Trust me on this one.
For Baby #2
Went straight to the Elvie Curve. No Haaka, no regrets. Still using it.
Not universal
Some people love the Haaka and never spill. If you're more coordinated than I am, it might work fine for you. This is just my experience with two babies and too many spilled ounces.