Breastfeeding platform secures US$2.2m to support mothers in the workplace

The US breastfeeding platform Pumpspotting has raised US$2.2m in funding to support breastfeeding mums in the workplace.

Having gained traction as both an employee benefit and a tech-enabled baby-feeding support solution, Pumpspotting is aiming to expand its service to the retail and health care environments.

This new funding is hoped to support enterprise acceleration and help the company expand commercially.

As the US care economy approaches US$6tn and employers continue to increase family benefits spending, Pumpspotting says it is poised to serve the organisations that aim to create a culture of support for parents navigating, what it calls, the complex baby-feeding journey.

Founded in 2015, the Maine-based company has served more than 70,000 parents, helping companies implement lactation programmes to remove barriers to breastfeeding.

“Over the past eight years, we have watched a transformation begin as organisations of all sizes recognise the necessity and importance of supporting parents on feeding journeys,” said Pumpspotting founder and CEO, Amy VanHaren.

“We’re excited to be leading the way with a business solution that bridges the gap between companies and parents, not only supporting compliance but also building inclusion and support of breastfeeding workers feeding both family and career.”

The start-up has expanded outside of the workplace by partnering with the Waukesha County Breastfeeding Coalition to offer support to all people living and working in Waukesha County, WI.

On Mother’s Day, the Portland Sea Dogs became the first minor league baseball team to offer Pumpspotting to all their fans.

Workplaces like DraftKings, Consigli Construction and Ally Logistics have also implemented Pumpspotting to create more inclusive cultures.

Mickey DeJong, head of culture and special projects at Ally Logistics, said: “As a woman in logistics who has experienced the ‘before Pumpspotting’ to the ‘after Pumpspotting’ workplace, I can personally say the implementation of the programme made a positive and significant difference in my return to work transition after having my second baby.

“Logistics is typically a male-dominated industry with a high burnout rate. Offering benefits like Pumpspotting to employees is a great way to approach benefits from an inclusive perspective.

“Not only does it directly impact the employees who will utilise the benefit immediately, but it allows Ally to grow with their people as they grow their own families.”