Parenting
When you encounter this innovative breast pump, you’ll be left wondering why it took so long to arrive.
Breast pumps are essential for many mothers. Not everyone has the ability to nurse on demand due to various circumstances. Some mothers juggle demanding work schedules that make it challenging, while others exclusively rely on pumping. Have you ever found yourself questioning why the traditional bulky and noisy breast pumps haven’t evolved significantly over the years?
This was a question that Lucy Anderson pondered after reading an article in The New York Times titled, “Shouldn’t the Breast Pump Be as Elegant as an iPhone and as Quiet as a Prius by Now?” The answer was a resounding yes, and it ignited a spark in her entrepreneurial spirit. Knowing she would eventually be a working mom, Lucy decided to take action before the need arose. Collaborating with her engineer husband, Mark Thompson, they started developing a prototype for a more efficient breast pump.
“I had spent years advancing my career to keep my options open for when I became a mother,” Lucy shared. “Breastfeeding was always a priority for me, but I had no idea how outdated breast pumps were until I read that article. Being a mom is already a balancing act, regardless of your situation—whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a work-from-home mom, or anything in between. It’s frustrating that, with modern technology, a device designed to nourish babies is still stuck in the past.”
The couple’s hard work culminated in the creation of the “Babyation” breast pump. One of the most brilliant aspects of its design is that the bottles do not hang directly from the suction device. Instead, milk flows into the bottles through a long tube connected to a small black nipple shield that can be worn discreetly with a bra.
Gone are the days of cumbersome motors; this new pump features a motor that fits into a standard-sized purse. It can be controlled wirelessly via an app on your smartphone, or simply turned on with a button, allowing users to adjust suction and speed easily. The app also tracks pumping sessions—how much milk was extracted, how long it took, and which breast was pumped last if not using both simultaneously. This feature alone is a game-changer, as many mothers can forget which side they pumped from last. Plus, as you’ll notice in the video linked below, the pump operates quietly.
After two years of dedication, Lucy and Mark are at the prototype stage, receiving approval from lactation consultants and pediatricians. To finalize their design and begin production, they launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $50,000. With just six days remaining, they are nearing their target, having raised nearly $40,000. For $350, early supporters can pre-order the pump at a discounted price for delivery in March 2017. Various donation tiers are also available for those who wish to contribute without pre-ordering. They plan to offer the pump on platforms like Amazon and through their website.
“As women, we want the flexibility to integrate pumping into our lives, not the other way around,” Lucy added emphatically.
This article was originally published on March 17, 2016.
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Summary:
The Babyation breast pump, developed by Lucy Anderson and her husband Mark Thompson, represents a significant advancement in breast pump technology. Designed for convenience and efficiency, it allows mothers to pump discreetly and quietly while tracking their sessions through a smartphone app. The couple is currently seeking support to bring their innovative product to market via Kickstarter.