In the realm of maternity essentials, breast pumps stand out as a crucial tool for many new mothers. Not every mom can nurse on demand due to various circumstances, such as demanding work schedules or the choice to exclusively pump. This leads to a common frustration: why do we still rely on clunky, noisy breast pumps? This very question sparked the creativity of Laura Stevens after she encountered a thought-provoking article titled, “Shouldn’t the Breast Pump Be as Elegant as an iPhone and as Quiet as a Prius by Now?”
Inspired by this notion, Stevens, a determined entrepreneur, set out to create a more sophisticated solution before she became a working mom herself. Collaborating with her engineer partner, Mark Johnson, the duo began developing a prototype that reimagines the breast pump experience. “I had dedicated years to advancing my career to ensure I had options once I had a child,” Stevens shared with Home Insemination Kit. “Breastfeeding was always a priority for me, but I realized just how outdated traditional breast pumps are.”
Stevens continued, “Motherhood comes with enough challenges, regardless of whether you stay at home, work remotely, or commute to an office. The balance is tough, and it’s ridiculous that a product designed to nourish our babies has remained so outdated.”
The result of their efforts is the innovative “Babyation” breast pump. One of its most clever features is the design that allows milk to flow through a long tube from the suction device to the bottle, rather than having bottles dangling directly from the device. The breast shields can be worn discreetly under a bra for added convenience.
Instead of a cumbersome motor, the pump’s motor is compact enough to fit in a standard purse, and it can be controlled wirelessly through a smartphone app. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, a simple button can activate the pump, allowing users to adjust suction and speed manually. The app tracks pumping sessions, including duration and which breast was last used, which can be a game-changer for many mothers.
After two years of development, the Babyation breast pump is now in the prototype phase and has received approval from both lactation consultants and pediatricians. To finalize production, Stevens and Johnson launched a Kickstarter campaign aiming to raise $50,000. With only a few days left, they are nearing their goal, having raised nearly $40,000. For $350, early backers can pre-order the pump at a discounted rate for delivery in March 2017. Additionally, various donation tiers are available for those who wish to support the project. They intend to make the pump available on Amazon and via their own website.
“Our vision is to empower women to integrate pumping into their lives seamlessly, rather than forcing them to adjust their lives around outdated pumping technology,” Stevens asserts.
This innovative design could provide the relief many mothers have been longing for. For further insights into home insemination and parenting, you can explore more on this blog post, and for authoritative resources, check out Make A Mom and WebMD.
In summary, the Babyation breast pump represents a much-needed evolution in breast pump design, prioritizing convenience and efficiency for modern mothers.