THE BREASTFEEDING RESOURCE HUB

Breastfeeding & expressing. Practical guidance.

Lola&Lykke's breastfeeding hub answers common questions on feeding, expressing, storing milk and pump care, based on NHS UK guidance.

From first feeds to finding your pumping routine. Clear answers, useful guides and help when you need it.

For everyone breastfeeding or expressing, whether you use a pump or not.

Find the help you need
Woman breastfeeding a baby while pumping other breast with a manual breast pump on a neutral background
Every feeding routine looks a little different.

What can we help with?

Ask a breastfeeding expert

THE FIRST FEEDS

Getting started with breastfeeding

How do I know feeding is going well?

Listen for swallowing and look at wet nappies and weight gain together. The amount you express with a pump is a separate measure.

If you’re concerned about feeding or growth, ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist for help early.

Source: NHS · Is my baby getting enough milk?
What are the early feeding cues?

Your baby may turn towards the breast, open their mouth or bring their hands to their mouth. Offering a feed before they become upset can make getting started easier.

Source: NHS · Responsive feeding
What should I check if feeding hurts?

Get comfortable and hold your baby close, with their head and body aligned. Ask a breastfeeding professional to observe a feed if attachment is difficult or pain continues.

Source: NHS · Positioning and attachment

A ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Getting started with expressing

You can express by hand or with a pump. How often you express depends on why you’re doing it.

Before a first session, have washed hands, clean equipment, your fitting instructions and a suitable milk container ready.

Need help choosing a pump?

An occasional bottle

START SMALL

How often to express depends on your feeding situation. For a plan that fits you and your baby, speak with a breastfeeding professional.

Ask about your routine

COMFORT STARTS WITH FIT

Find a comfortable fit.

A measurement is your starting point. How the pump feels in use matters too.

Open the full sizing guide
Breast shield sizing diagram showing the nipple, nipple base and areola, with a ruler guide for measuring nipple diameter.
Measure the nipple itself, without including the areola.

Measure each side

Check the diameter at the nipple base. Each breast may need a different size.

Centre, then check

Align your nipple with the tunnel. Check that it moves freely and does not rub painfully.

Keep suction comfortable

Start low. If you notice pinching, swelling or pain, stop and reassess. 

If pumping hurts, stop and check your flange size; if pain continues, speak to your midwife or a lactation consultant.

Different pumps. Different fitting systems.

Use parts made for your model.

Open the fitting guide
Shield and insert compatibility
Your pump Fitting system Sizes
Bloome™ Wearable Cushion + optional silicone inserts 25 mm cushion; 15, 17, 19 & 21 mm inserts included
Smart Electric Interchangeable breast shields 21, 24 & 27 mm shields
Manual Breast shields + silicone inserts 24 & 28 mm shields; 18 & 20 mm inserts included

These sizes describe the equipment, not a universal recommendation for your nipple measurement.

FROM PUMP TO NEXT FEED

Storing & using expressed milk

Label containers with the date, store in small amounts and keep milk cold when you take it out.

Read the full NHS UK guidance
Freshly expressed milk · NHS UK guidance
Where Conditions How long
Fridge 4 °C or below, at the back Up to 8 days
Fridge Unsure of temperature, or 5–10 °C Within 3 days
Freezer −18 °C or below Up to 6 months
Cool bag Previously chilled milk, with ice packs Up to 24 hours

Thaw in the fridge or warm water. Use defrosted milk straight away and do not refreeze it. Once a feed has started, use the milk within one hour and discard what remains. Avoid microwaves and stovetops.

Lola&Lykke milk storage bags hold 150 ml and are single use. The adapter is model-specific and does not connect to every pump. Check the bag and adapter instructions.

For premature or unwell babies, follow your care team’s guidance. This page uses NHS UK guidance.

LET YOUR BABY SET THE PACE

Feeding expressed milk

Watch your baby’s cues and leave room for pauses. They do not need to finish every bottle.

NHS responsive feeding guide

Invite

Touch the teat to the upper lip and let your baby draw it in.

Slow the flow

Hold the bottle nearly horizontal, with a slight tilt.

Pause

Watch for a break or signs that your baby has had enough.

Check the teat flow

Teat suitability depends on how your baby feeds, not the age label alone. If feeds are difficult or you are concerned about coughing or swallowing, seek feeding support.

NaturalFlow bottles and teats have their own assembly and cleaning instructions. Check the parts before each use.

NaturalFlow bottle instructions

KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT

Help with your pump

Setup, fitting, cleaning and the parts that belong with your model.

IN-BRA WEARABLEBloome™ Wearable

Bloome™ Wearable

Single or Double. A 25 mm cushion with four insert sizes included.

PORTABLE ELECTRICSmart Electric

Smart Electric

6 stimulation levels & 9 expression levels, no external tubes and five parts to clean.

HAND OPERATEDManual Breast Pump

Manual Breast Pump

Two suction strengths, a 200 ml bottle and no charging.

Clean milk-contact parts after each use and let them air-dry fully. Follow your model’s instructions for cleaning and sanitising; keep electronic components out of water.

CDC pump-hygiene guidance, alongside the current manufacturer’s instructions.

CHECK, THEN GET HELP

When something feels different

A small assembly check can help with equipment issues. Pain and feeding concerns need a different kind of support.

Contact customer support
My pump’s suction has changed. What should I check?

Check the assembly against your model’s instructions. Inspect the valves, membranes and seals for wear or damage, and check that parts sit correctly. Use replacements made for your pump.

Find model-specific replacement parts
Why is milk leaking from my wearable pump?

For Bloome, check the seals, assembly and position inside your bra. Use and remove the pump upright, follow the filling limit and pour as shown in the instructions. Stop using damaged components.

Are collection cups the same as a pump?

MilkCatch+ collects leaking milk; it is not an active pump. Reusable nursing pads absorb leaks rather than storing milk. Change damp pads and follow their washing instructions.

MilkCatch+ handling & care
My breast is painful, hot or swollen. Where should I turn?

Get clinical advice for worsening symptoms or if you feel unwell. Stronger suction or extra pumping is not a treatment for breast inflammation. NHS advice is to avoid firm pressure and expressing more milk than your baby needs.

NHS · Mastitis and when to seek help

YOU CAN ASK

A question deserves a useful answer.

Get free guidance on breastfeeding and expressing from our maternal health experts, including midwives and lactation consultants.

Our advisory team includes Marie Louise, Senior NHS Midwife in the UK; Katie Mugan, Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse in Ireland; and Mushka Koivuniemi, Community Health Nurse and Lactation Consultant in Finland.

This service is for non-urgent questions. If you or your baby are unwell, contact your local healthcare service.

Ask a breastfeeding expert

Send your question

Use the advisory-service question form.

Expert matching

Your question is matched with a relevant health professional.

An answer by email

Your response arrives by email. For order or equipment queries, contact customer service.

Customer service

A few useful next reads

Your breast shield & insert sizing guide

Fit guidance for the right model.

Read the guide

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About this guidance

Review status & sources

This guidance is based on NHS UK advice, including the milk storage table. For setting up, cleaning and using your pump, follow the current instructions that come with it.

It’s general information, not medical advice. If you or your baby need help, or something doesn’t feel right, speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or a lactation consultant. If you or your baby are unwell, contact your local healthcare service. You can also ask our maternal health experts a question for free.

NHS guidance used for this page

Written by the Lola&Lykke team
Last updated: 4 November 2026