Little Bird Lactation

Little Bird Lactation Kate - RN & IBCLC
Lactation Consultant Services available for both in home and online consults. Im here to empower, educate and support families.

Smoothing bumps in the road to help you achieve your feeding goals whatever they may be.

13/02/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️😉

But also who actually has the time or energy? Asking for a friend

12/02/2026

We need more support not devices that undermine their confidence.

Perhaps maybe I can see a small benefit to occasional use of this in a controlled environment for premature babies however being used for every feed for peace of mind? Absolutely not! Devices like this completely undermine your confidence.

And I get it people love concrete numbers and evidence but the reality is baby’s feeding varies, feed to feed, day to day and baby to baby. We instead should be taking a look at the whole picture, is baby showing effective transfer? Content between feeds and developing as we expect? Great and if not get IBCLC support.

Also a ni**le shield is a tool but is does not come without a pros and cons list, for a baby who is latching well it should not be introduced just so we can collect data.

The money invested in tech like this is better invested into supporting parents feeding their babies and providing more support.

10/02/2026

Your breast wasn’t designed for constant suction.
This was the #1 question in my DMs last week, so let’s break it down! 👇

Here is the thing: Constant vacuum (like you get from passive silicone collectors) is not how our bodies are biologically wired to be used.

An electric breast pump is designed to mimic the pull and release rhythm of a breastfeeding baby.

This technology is as close as we can get to a baby’s intraoral vacuum without actually... well, being a baby.

So my pick will always be an electric (or manual) breast pump over a suction pump/device

I just want them put back where they once were ya know?
08/02/2026

I just want them put back where they once were ya know?

06/02/2026

Does the haakaa Ladybug have suction? 🐞

Yes, it does but as a Lactation Consultant, here is why I often recommend using it without the suction. 👩‍⚕️

While the suction is gentler than a manual pump, it is still removing milk actively.

If you are a heavy leaker or prone to oversupply, using suction can inadvertently signal your body to make more milk.

My preference?
Use it in “passive mode” (no suction). This allows you to catch the milk that was leaking without stimulating extra production. A great option if you are someone who is leaking through a breast pad.

Simply open the valve at the top to create an air leak so then there is no suction.

05/02/2026

Your breast was not designed to stay under constant suction!

Now I do get the appeal these things are cheap and see pretty easy. Less overwhelming then modes, sizes and suction levels on an electric pump. But the thing is your breasts are getting swollen into this thing. And that level of constant suction can cause some serious discomfort and potentially damage to the delicate milk making tissue.

When suctioned these devices are ACTIVELY drawing out more milk - because no you don’t leak 50ml of breast milk per feed. The suction creates negative pressure which draws the milk out from the breast. If you are using one just be wary - limit its use and remember above all else feed the baby before you feed your freezer.

If you want to see the comparison between how these work and how an electric pump works let me know 👇

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Christchurch

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+64273353371

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