One of the biggest stressors for breastfeeding moms, especially in the early days, is not knowing how much milk their baby is actually drinking. I remember how overwhelming that uncertainty felt when I was trying to move away from formula and exclusively breastfeed.
Now, thanks to a breakthrough from Northwestern University, that guesswork may soon be a thing of the past. Researchers have developed a soft, wearable device that wraps gently around the breast and tracks milk intake in real time. The data is sent to a smartphone, giving moms (and clinicians) a clear picture of how much baby is feeding - without the need for scales or pumping.
Designed with both hospital and home use in mind, this device is especially promising for NICU babies who need close nutritional monitoring. It works using safe, low-level electrical signals and can be personalized to each mom’s unique anatomy with a simple calibration step.
For many women, breastfeeding is an emotional journey filled with questions and second-guessing. Technology like this can help reduce stress, support breastfeeding goals, and ultimately empower moms with the confidence that their baby is getting exactly what they need.
For more detailed information on this innovative breastfeeding device, you can refer to the official Northwestern University article: McCormick School of Engineering
Additionally, the full study is available in Nature Biomedical Engineering: Nature