Steph Richards IBCLC

27/01/2026

Did you know today (Jan 27th) is World Breast Pumping Day? Honestly, there seems to be a day for everything now… but this is one I’m more than happy to celebrate.
So here’s a big shout-out to all the pumping mummas and parents 💪
Whether you’re expressing exclusively or occasionally, pumping by choice or medical necessity, building supply, heading back to work, donating milk, or pumping because you and your baby are apart—there are a thousand reasons someone might be pumping.
And every single one of them deserves recognition.

You all absolutely rock and there is support available for you too! Get in touch with a trained breastfeeding supporter to seek support with all aspects of pumping including pump fit!

24/01/2026

✨Expiry dates affected, updated 9th Jan✨

As there have been updates to the expiry dates affected in the recall, we want to remind parents that it is safe to switch to another formula brand if needed.

Information from the Food Standards Agency states:
"Even if you have not identified ill-health in your baby as a result of consumption of this product, it is essential to stop using it.

If the infant formula or follow-on formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula."

You can find the most up-to-date recall information on their website:
www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-02-2026-update-1

If you need infant feeding support, please contact our National Breastfeeding Helpline UK on 0300 100 0212 - 24/7.
Social media support is also available 💜

[ID: Following recent news about an infant formula recall, we want to assure parents that it is safe for them to switch to another brand. There is no evidence that switching formulas does any harm. If you are using a specialised formula, please speak to your health professional about a suitable alternative. If you’re concerned that the formula you’re currently using may be affected, please check the Food Standards Agency website for the most up-to-date recall information.]

09/01/2026

***Now Available***

Pumping might be an important part of your journey. Let's optimise it and take the stress away from guessing!

25/11/2025

Pump fitting service coming soon!

Why might you need one?

- pumping is painful
- milk yield is low
- pumping feels over whelming or unsustainable
- you're not feeling good about the cost of trying lots of sizes and contributing to landfill
- you want to take control of the pump!!!

Check out my website for more details!

14/10/2025

And this is why you'll find most IBCLCS NOT recommending these ni**le shields with viewing tubes attached!

14/10/2025

I hear lots of people say their baby is lazy. It's literally impossible for a baby to be lazy! ❤️❤️

11/10/2025

Don't need to spend ages back rubbing and foing bicycle legs...

08/10/2025

Loving this analogy by Kathryn Stagg!

01/10/2025

Do you sterilise all your pump parts? We know how magical breastmilk can be, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that we do not need to sterilise pump parts or feeding equipment.

Of course if your baby is premature, or you are using formula with the feeding equipment, then sterilising is a key part of keeping baby healthy... But just BM?

Scrap the steriliser and save yourself some time! Yippee !

23/09/2025

In light of recent news, we would like to highlight that the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence that it causes autism in children.

www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-confirms-taking-paracetamol-during-pregnancy-remains-safe-and-there-is-no-evidence-it-causes-autism-in-children

You can also take the usual recommended doses of paracetamol if you are breastfeeding. Find more information in our Pain Relief (Analgesics) factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/analgesics/

If you need information on taking any medication while breastfeeding, please contact our The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service team on Facebook or via email: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

If you are unsure about taking any medication when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can also talk to your GP, health visitor, or midwife.

[ID: MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. You can also take paracetamol at the normal adult dose if you are breastfeeding. Source: Pain Relief (Analgesics) and Breastfeeding Factsheet.]

17/09/2025

The natural term for humans to breastfeed is anywhere between 2 and 7+ years. Some babies stop earlier, some carry on for longer.

Many cultures around the world breastfeed to natural term, including many women in the Western world. This age range is only surprising in cultures that interrupt breastfeeding, often without realising it or knowing which norms are biological and which are cultural.

The concentration of fats and proteins increase as a baby grows into a toddler, along with increased levels of antibacterial and antiviral components such as lysozyme, which is an anti-inflammatory, and destroys bacteria.

Lysozyme increases in concentration from about 6 months old, when babies become more mobile and everything (toys, sand, cats biscuits?) goes straight in the mouth, and keeps increasing after the first year.

The concentration of Lactoferrin also increases over time. Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of some cancerous cells. It also binds to the iron in our baby’s body, preventing it from being available to harmful microorganisms that need iron to survive. Lactoferrin also kills the bacteria strep mutans, a cause of tooth decay and cavities.

Our body’s immune system takes around 6 years to become fully mature, so the support of the protective factors in breastmilk until our immune system can fully function on its own seems play a part in the timescale of natural term weaning too.

Longer term breastfeeding is also associated with reduced risk of diseases for mothers, including breast cancer.

We acknowledge that many mothers find it difficult to establish breastfeeding in the first place, that is a multi-layered investment on the part of a mother and that natural term feeding might not feel like, or be, a possibility for many.

We're not here to tell anyone what to do.

We also acknowledge that lack of information about our biology contributes to lack of support for mothers when they want to establish, or continue, breastfeeding, but cannot find the help they need from people who understand why it matters, or what is normal.

More at https://human-milk.com/pages/science-of-breastmilk

28/08/2025

A great new educational resource. A place to share images (via a permission form) for educational and resource purposes!

📸 Every. Image. Counts.📸

Your submission could be the one that helps a mother or parent get an accurate diagnosis.
If you have pictures of a condition experienced during your feeding journey, submit them to Spectrum Lactation.

We need YOUR help to ensure that parents get the right support.

🔗 Submit today! Link in bio.