The new breastfeeding tech helping mums see how much milk their baby is actually getting

A new device aims to give breastfeeding mums more information about milk transfer, helping ease some of the uncertainty around early feeds

Mother using Coro device while breastfeeding

Coroflo

Published: September 22, 2026 at 3:47 PM

Save

For many new mums, one of the hardest things about breastfeeding is not knowing exactly how much milk their baby is taking in. Unlike bottle feeding, there is no obvious way to see how many millilitres have been consumed, which can leave parents wondering whether their baby is getting enough.

Ad

That uncertainty can be particularly difficult during the early weeks, when feeding patterns are still being established and concerns about weight gain, supply and frequent feeds can quickly become overwhelming.

Now, a new breastfeeding monitor called Coro is aiming to give mums more information about what is happening during a feed, by measuring milk transfer directly at the breast.

What to see more MadeForMums in your search results? Tell Google!

From parenting news to expert advice and trusted product recommendations, make sure you don't miss the MadeForMums content that matters to your family. Add MadeForMums as a Preferred Source on Google.

The device has been developed by Irish health-tech company Coroflo and is now available in the UK, following its retail launch with John Lewis.

What is Coro and how does it work?

Coro is designed to measure milk transfer during breastfeeding and send the information to a companion smartphone app.

The device uses a micro flow meter built into a silicone nipple shield, with the company saying it can provide real-time information about the amount of milk transferred during a feed.

The idea is not to replace breastfeeding support or maternal instinct, but to provide another source of information for mums who find the uncertainty around feeding difficult.

For some parents, that could be particularly useful when feeds vary considerably in length or when there are concerns about whether a baby is taking enough milk.

Coro device product picture

Coroflo

'A slow feed isn't a failed feed'

For first-time mum Suzy Wareham, 31, one of the challenges was the difference between feeding on each breast.

One side took around 10 minutes, while the other could take 25 minutes. Using Coro showed her that the longer feeds were not necessarily less effective, with her baby receiving the same volume from both sides.

Suzy says this helped reassure her that a longer feed did not automatically mean her baby needed to be topped up.

It’s so reassuring to know that even during a long, slow feed, he’s getting everything he needs. A slow feed isn't a failed feed.

Suzy Wareham, mum to Harry

For one mum, the reassurance came during a health scare

Dr Ellen Ward, 31, has a PhD in breastmilk composition, so she was already familiar with the science behind breastfeeding before becoming a mum herself.

But when her son Ted experienced problems with bowel movements and weight gain, she found that her professional knowledge did not necessarily make the situation feel less frightening.

She says seeing information about milk transfer helped her regain confidence in her own body during a stressful period.

"I had the knowledge, but when there’s a concern about your own baby, your head runs away with you. Seeing the data helped me return to trusting my body."

Another mum, CJ, used the device while combi-feeding her eight-week-old daughter Hazel. Having previously experienced melanoma, appendicitis and meningitis, CJ says those experiences had affected how she felt about trusting her body.

She found that seeing the amount of milk transferred during feeds helped her understand when Hazel was feeding for hunger, thirst or comfort.

Why breastfeeding can feel so uncertain

The launch comes against a backdrop of concerns around breastfeeding rates in the UK. The company says 81% of UK mothers set out to breastfeed, while just 1% exclusively breastfeed at six months.

Mother using Coro device while breastfeeding

Coroflo

Uncertainty about milk intake is one factor that can contribute to mums stopping earlier than they had planned.

Dr Caroline Boyd, a perinatal and clinical psychologist, says uncertainty itself can be difficult for new parents to manage.

When a mother is worried that her baby isn't getting enough milk or isn't thriving, those fears deserve to be taken seriously.

Dr Caroline Boyd, a perinatal and clinical psychologist

"Becoming a new parent brings a great deal of uncertainty, and uncertainty can understandably contribute to maternal distress and postnatal anxiety. When a mother is worried that her baby isn't getting enough milk or isn't thriving, those fears deserve to be taken seriously. Access to reliable information can help reduce uncertainty, giving mothers greater confidence and the headspace to get to know their baby and grow into their role as a parent."

It's one tool, rather than a replacement for breastfeeding support

Coro was developed over more than a decade by Dr Helen Barry and engineer Jamie Travers, following the birth of their son, who was born at a very low birth weight.

For parents who need reassurance about milk intake, the device offers a way of gathering information at home rather than relying on clinic-based weigh-ins. But breastfeeding support can involve much more than measuring milk transfer, including positioning, attachment, feeding frequency, maternal wellbeing and a baby's weight and development.

The company says the device is also being used to generate anonymous milk-transfer data for research into lactation and maternal health, including work with The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

When and where is Coro available?

Coro is available in the UK through Coroflo, with UK retail availability through John Lewis, both online and in selected stores.

Ad

The device is intended to give breastfeeding mums another source of information if they want or need it. For some, that may offer reassurance during a particularly uncertain stage of feeding, while for others, existing support from midwives, health visitors and breastfeeding specialists may be all they need.

Authors

MadeForMums

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...