Valentina Marini Fichera

At least 1 in 5 breastfeeding women in the United States develop clogged milk ducts, and half of those will escalate into mastitis infections. Symptoms of mastitis are extremely painful and can restrict a mother’s ability to breastfeed while also causing high fevers and intense discomfort. The best known treatment is a lymphatic drainage breast massage, performed by certified physical therapists, but availability is limited. MilkShaker is a fully automated wearable that prevents mastitis and clogged milk ducts in breastfeeding women. Derived in tandem with physical therapists from NYC clinic FemFirst Health, our patent-pending technology accurately mimics stimulated lymphatic drainage massages from certified specialists within the comfort of home. The device itself is a vest-like wearable with a built-in mechanism that continuously massages the breasts to move lymph fluid outward towards the underarm lymph nodes. By pushing lymph fluid from the top and bottom of the breast away from the nipple and milk ducts, our device can effectively prevent the fluid from mixing with milk and causing clogged milk ducts or, more severely, mastitis. Our solution integrates these science-backed, PT-tested treatments into a convenient at-home wearable that is low-cost and accessible. Following industry standards for wearables and other breastfeeding equipment, MilkShaker is non-invasive, safe, and machine-washable. In addressing a prevalent but highly neglected need in the FemTech space, we are confident that our product will be eligible for HSA/FSA coverage and anticipate full insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, this product will bring a formerly inaccessible mastitis treatment to millions of breastfeeding women, allowing them the support they need to both prevent and treat mastitis and clogged milk ducts.