automated mastitis prevention. by women, for women.

An alarming problem faced by at least 1 in 10 breastfeeding mothers is mastitis, a condition that occurs when a clogged milk duct – affecting 1 in 5 – becomes infected, causing intense pain and stress for the mother and restricting milk production for the child. This occurs due to poor lymphatic drainage from postpartum posture changes.

Many mothers resort to at-home remedies or neglect the issue, enduring high fevers, painful breasts, and difficulties caring for their children. Certified physical therapy manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is the only proven treatment, but remains inaccessible and expensive.

Our novel design integrates a fully automatic mechanical massage system into a comfortable, supportive vest-like garment. Developed in partnership with NYC’s FemFirst Health clinic, MilkShaker replicates massages performed by certified physical therapists—the most effective treatment for mastitis but difficult to access due to limited certifications.

As the only device of its kind, MilkShaker brings professional care into the home, prioritizing function, accessibility, mobility, and safety. With funding from Startup Columbia and others, we envision MilkShaker as standard breastfeeding equipment, HSA-eligible and covered under the Affordable Care Act. Our product gives all mothers a new opportunity to alleviate an inevitable breastfeeding pain.