Parenting
By Ella Thompson
Updated: April 29, 2021
Originally Published: March 17, 2016
An Entrepreneur’s Vision for a Better Breast Pump
For many mothers, breast pumps are essential tools: not every mom can breastfeed on demand for various reasons. Some face demanding work schedules, while others rely on exclusive pumping. Have you ever thought about why we’re still using traditional, cumbersome, and noisy breast pumps? This was the very question that inspired Michelle Carter after she stumbled upon a New York Times article entitled, “Shouldn’t the Breast Pump Be as Elegant as an iPhone and as Quiet as a Prius by Now?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Motivated to make a change, Carter, a forward-thinking entrepreneur, embarked on a journey to create a revolutionary breast pump. Knowing that she would eventually become a working mom, she wanted to tackle this issue head-on. Partnering with her engineer spouse, Mark Johnson, they set out to develop a prototype for a more advanced breast pump.
“I had dedicated a decade to advancing my career for the sake of options when I became a mother,” Carter shared with Home Insemination Kit. “I wasn’t sure if I’d embrace full-time work, take a step back, or find a balance, but breastfeeding was always a priority for me.”
What struck her after reading that article was just how outdated breast pumps are. “Being a mom is challenging enough, whether you’re at home, working remotely, or in an office—the struggle is real. With the advancements in technology over the past decade, it’s absurd that a product designed to nourish babies remains in the past,” Carter emphasized.
The couple’s innovative creation is known as the “Babyation” breast pump. Its most brilliant feature is that the bottles don’t attach directly to the suction device; instead, milk flows through a long tube connecting to a sleek black nipple shield designed to be worn under a bra.
The device’s motor is compact enough to fit into a standard purse, eliminating the need for a bulky separate machine. It’s controlled via a smartphone app, allowing for wireless operation. If you prefer, you can also turn it on with a straightforward button and adjust the suction and speed manually.
The app tracks your pumping sessions, including how much milk you’ve extracted and how long it took. It even remembers which breast you pumped last if you’re not using both simultaneously—a feature that many mothers will find invaluable. And as you’ll notice in the video below, it’s remarkably quiet!
After two years of hard work, the couple has reached the prototype stage, receiving approval from lactation consultants and pediatricians. To finalize the design and move into production, they launched a Kickstarter campaign, aiming to raise $50,000, and they are nearly there with just under $40,000 raised with six days to go. For those who wish to support this endeavor, pre-orders for the pump are available at a discounted price of $350 for a March 2017 delivery, alongside various donation options. They plan to sell the pump through their website and Amazon.
“We want mothers to have the freedom to integrate pumping into their lives, rather than having to rearrange their lives around a pump,” Carter asserts.
Hallelujah!
This article was originally published on March 17, 2016, and if you’re interested in further insights, check out our other posts on pregnancy and home insemination, where you can find excellent resources, including information on home insemination kits from trusted sources like Cryobaby and WHO.
In summary, the Babyation breast pump represents a significant advancement in pumping technology, making it easier for mothers to navigate their breastfeeding journeys without the hassle of traditional equipment.