Choosing the right tools to support your breastfeeding journey can make all the difference in your overall experience. One increasingly popular tool is the breast milk collector. When used correctly, it can help maximize your breast milk supply and simplify the milk collection process, but with more and more options coming to the market, it can be confusing to know which one is best for you. Let's break down the different options and compare a few brands so you can make an informed choice that fits in with your breastfeeding goals!

First things first...

What is a milk collector?

Milk collectors are devices designed to fit inside your bra and attach to your breast to catch any milk that might be leaking out.  You can either use passive collection, or use suction, depending on the type of milk collector as well as your personal preference. The collected milk can then be either fed to your baby or saved for later in the fridge or freezer. 

Passive vs. Suction collection?

Suction collection is just how it sounds--the milk collector uses negative suction to actively remove milk. Passive collection is when you utilize a milk collector without any suction, so any leaking milk can be saved but there is no suction to actively remove additional milk. Some milk collectors are passive only--they don't have a the ability to use suction. Some milk collectors have the option to apply suction if you want, but they can also be used without the suction to just passively collect milk.

Is one type better than the other?

It depends on your breastfeeding goals and personal preference. Any time we are actively removing additional milk, as would be the case with suction collection, we are sending signals to the body to keep up with this additional demand, thereby increasing our milk supply. If you are combating a low supply, or you're trying to store up a large freezer stash, then this might sound like good news for you. But if you tend to have an oversupply or your supply is not yet regulated, milk collectors have the potential to create more issues in the long run. By removing this additional milk, your body begins to make even more milk, which can put you at increased risk for engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis. So be judicious about your milk collector use, and make the choice that makes the most sense for you.

Milk Collector Overview

All of the milk collectors I'll cover in this post are made of 100% food-grade silicone that is BPA free and dishwasher safe. Some of them also come with plastic pieces, but the materials that directly come in contact with the milk are made of easy to clean, soft silicone. The thickness and comfort level does vary, along with many other factors such as cost, capacity, and additional features that may be desirable to you based on your lifestyle and personal preference. See the breakdown below!

Passive Milk Collectors:

This type of milk collector does not use suction to collect the milk, and simply catches the leaking milk either from the opposite breast during feeding or in between nursing sessions in lieu of a nursing pad. You can set them in your bra and let them do their thing. They are typically smaller in volume as you are likely to collect less milk when not using suction, and they are designed to be more discreet so you can continue to wear them when out and about between feedings.  They allow you to save your milk during those leaky early days, and they also help protect sore nipples from rubbing against your nursing bra. Just keep in mind that they add in some additional work compared to nursing pads as they require cleaning, but they are reusable, so it just depends on what's most important to you personally. These are my top three when it comes to passive milk collectors!

Elvie Catch

The Catch is the most highly-rated from other customers due to its comfort and appearance. It's probably the most discreet of the bunch, and the soft edges are gentle on the skin. It has a hard outer shell that connects to a soft, flexible silicone piece that sets against your skin. Because it comes apart, it's easy to clean and dries quickly. If you're someone with very long nipples, they may end up coming in contact with the hard outer shell which might be uncomfortable, especially if your nipples are healing from breakdown. It also has no suction option.

Haakaa Ladybug

The Ladybugs are the most expensive option when compared to others, but they offer a variety of sizes with the option of either one or two cups depending on your preference. The Haakaa Ladybugs also offer the option of adding in very light suction, which can help keep them in place and may also increase milk output--a bonus feature for some. It includes an easy-pour hole with a plug to try to help prevent any spillage of those precious drops of milk! The shape of the Ladybugs, especially the larger capacity options, may make them more noticeable than others.

Amazon Breast Shells

These breast shells give you the most bang for your buck, coming in at just $14.99 for a 4-pack. Do you need 4 of them? Maybe not, but some moms like having extras to decrease the need for frequent washing. They are incredibly popular, with over 15,000 reviews on Amazon, and they definitely get the job done. Because of the placement of the nipple hole in the very center of the shell (compared to being in the upper portion as is the case for the Catch or Ladybug), leaking is more likely to occur despite having a similar capacity.

Suction Milk Collectors:

Some milk collectors are considered semi-manual pumps in that they are capable of removing extra milk through negative suction. With a single press or squeeze, these milk collectors are designed to attach to the breast to catch bonus milk that is letdown from the opposite side during a feeding. If desired, you can choose not to use the suction and just passively collect milk from the opposite breast. They are generally much larger than the passive milk collectors seen above, and are therefore not meant to be worn continuously between feedings. Most suction milk collectors will fall into two categories based on their shape. The "OG" shape comes from the Haakaa, which is the first brand to put out a milk collector like this. Others are more of a cup shape, kick-proof design that fit snugly inside your nursing bra. Keep reading for a breakdown of the different options!

OG Shape:

Haakaa Gen 1

This is the original suction milk collector, and is the most inexpensive option from Haakaa. It is a flexible, one-piece design and the suction can be controlled based on how firmly you squeeze the base when applying it to the breast. Because of its shape, it does hang off the breast, so there is a greater risk of it being kicked off by baby or falling off during use. Many moms will wear a pumping bra while using the OG Haakaa to help keep it in place.

Haakaa Gen 2

The Gen 2 comes with slight adjustments to address some complaints from the Gen 1. It has a suction base to help prevent tipping as well as a cover to protect milk from spilling out. It also has two sizes available--a 4 or 5oz. option. But those upgrades do come with a higher price tag, which is more than double the price of the Gen 1. I personally have and use the Gen 2 and find that it works well for me and is comfortable!

Haakaa Gen 3

The Gen 3 uses the same collection design, but the flange piece can screw off to allow you to attach a bottle nipple and feed baby directly from the collection device. This can come in handy, especially when traveling and trying to pack light. It's made with thicker silicone than the Gen 1 or Gen 2, so it's capable of stronger suction. It also has new size options--either 5.8 or 8oz. Because it is heavier and larger, many complain that it falls off more easily, and the fact that it has a screw top means there is more potential for leakage. Keep in mind that the bottle pieces are not compatible with all nipples and the nipple is not included, so you may need to purchase additional product. In that case, you might prefer to stick with the Gen 1 or 2 and use your bottles from home. The Gen 3 comes in with the lowest user reviews, but many people do enjoy the upgraded features, and it is priced very similarly to the Gen 2.

Lansinoh Silicone Pump

The Lansinoh milk collector is very comparable to the Haakaa Gen 2--it has a silicone base and comes with a cap, and it also comes with a stand to hold it when not in use as well as a lanyard you can put around your neck to save it from falling in the case of a kick or bump. It is a more affordable option, coming in at just $11.99, with similar user reviews to the Gen 1 & Gen 2 from Haakaa.

Cup Shape:

Elvie Curve

Elvie took the concept of the milk collector and changed the shape to be more ergonomic, so it fits snugly inside your bra to decrease the risk of lost milk. You simply insert it into your bra and then press the center to apply suction. It comes with a plastic outer shell that is meant to improve its stability. To allow for better control of the level of suction, the Curve has a suction release valve at the top. It does have lower ratings than other collectors due to mixed reviews on level of suction and value for the money, which isn't overly surprising since it's priced highest at $37.49.

Boon Trove

The Trove looks very similar in design to the Curve. It is a cup shape meant to fit in your bra on the opposite side while nursing and, like the Elvie Curve, it can fit into any nursing bra. However, it does lack the plastic casing as well as the release valve. It also has a smaller capacity--3oz. compared to the 4oz. capacity of the Curve. That said, it costs just $14.99 and has very high user ratings. It ultimately depends on what features are at the top of your list. I personally have found myself reaching for the Trove the most often when feeding my baby this time around.

Haakaa Shell

The Shells from Haakaa are one of their newest products, so I haven't had the chance to try them out myself. They fall in the middle as far as cost, but come in 2 different size options at slightly different price points. They include a release valve for better suction control. The shape is not as ergonomic as other brands, and many users have complained of sharper edges that make it uncomfortable to wear. People have noted that it seems to have less suction than other Haakaa products, which seems to contribute to its lower overall ratings, but Haakaa actually notes themselves that this product is designed to have lower suction than their OG models.

At the end of the day...

Milk collectors can be a great tool to help you save your precious milk from being wasted, but there is a lot to consider when choosing which one to buy. Hopefully this has helped you compare some of the more popular options so you can grab one that you love! If you've made your choice and you're ready to purchase, you can shop all the milk collectors you've seen in this post at the link below!

Click here to shop all milk collectors!

If you're looking for a milk collector, it's probably because you are hoping to save up extra milk for your baby, which means you'll probably be needing an electric breast pump as well! That can be an even more overwhelming decision. I actually have a full, super detailed Breast Pump Comparison Guide that I would love to share with you to help make that easier. It includes a breakdown of tons of popular electric breast pumps, but there is also bonus content to help you with flange fitting, insurance info, and more! You can get free access to the guide at the link below!

Get the Breast Pump Comparison Guide here! 

Access the Bottle & Breastfeeding Course Here!

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