automated mastitis prevention. by women, for women.

20.8 million breastfeeding mothers globally struggle with clogged milk ducts and mastitis, yet treatment options remain limited. Our all-female Columbia Engineering team is addressing this gap in women’s health with MilkShaker, an automated wearable that uses lymphatic drainage techniques to prevent and treat mastitis. No mother should need to choose between pain and caregiving.

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OUR STORY

Our team comes with the experience and knowledge

We are a team of five female Columbia University engineering students united by our personal connections to women who have faced mastitis and other breastfeeding challenges.

Driven by friendship, shared experiences, and a deep commitment to women's health, we collaborate seamlessly to continually refine our innovative product. Our development process has been supported by invaluable partnerships with gynecologists, fellow engineers, women's health researchers, and most notably, certified physical therapists from FemFirst Health. Their expert insights ensure that MilkShaker effectively and safely meets the real-world needs of breastfeeding 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 (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 bra-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 StartupColumbia 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.

mastitis

/maˈstīdəs/

inflammation of an infected clogged milk duct, a condition causing intense pain and stress and restricting milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

Product

Our Product: MilkShaker

An automated, physical therapist-backed wearable to prevent and treat mastitis in breastfeeding women.

Automated Professional Massage

The mechanical system performs a continuous, 30-minute professional lymphatic drainage massage based on quantified pressure, force, and direction from certified PTs at FemFirst.

Portable & Hands Free

Our rechargeable technology allows for the mobility of new mothers. With 10 massages per overnight charge, new mothers can perform daily tasks without sacrificing their health.

Washable, Removable Technology

Our mechanical massager sits within the breast pockets of the wearable vest-like garment, allowing for complete electronics removal for easy machine washing and part replacement.

Direct Pushing Massage

Certified lymphatic massages involve a light, pushing motion unlike deep massagers. Our proprietary mechanism is the only option on the market providing this science-backed massage.

Breast-Specific

MilkShaker, both preventative and a treatment device, targets the root cause of mastitis via light, directional massage proven to stimulate lymphatic fluid flow.

Medical-Grade Safety

MilkShaker adheres to medical biocompatibility standards with skin-safe materials and an enclosed electronic housing, ensuring safe, comfortable use for all breastfeeding mothers.

under construction.

By Women, For Women.

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Our Team

Our Creative Team

Our founders apply their mechanical engineering backgrounds to the women’s health space, developing and prototyping the mechanisms needed to replicate the complex massage treatment for mastitis. They come from various experiences within the field, all passionate about the MilkShaker mission to expand women’s health.

Pricilla Dua

Pricilla is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, working on fusion technology research and is a Makerspace instructor. Her extensive design and manufacturing background supports the development of MilkShaker’s safe, effective, and accessible healthcare solutions.

Hope Hersom

Hope is a senior studying mechanical engineering, leading an all-women fusion technology project at Columbia’s Plasma Physics Laboratory. Her own healthcare experiences fuel her dedication to developing inclusive, effective women's health technologies through MilkShaker.

Valentina Marini Fichera

Valentina is a senior mechanical engineering student and leads a team building high-powered rockets for competition. Her passion for design and manufacturing contributes directly to MilkShaker's prototyping, aiming to significantly improve breastfeeding women's lives.

Kavita Parikh

Kavita is a senior studying mechanical engineering with minors in sustainable engineering and political science. Her experience with startups and personal healthcare challenges inspired her passion for women's health and innovative solutions, driving her involvement with MilkShaker.

Elise Yang

Elise is a senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in computer science. With interdisciplinary research in biomechanics, medical devices, and hands-on manufacturing experience, she brings practical insights to create accessible solutions for women's health.