Juggling a career and a newborn can be a challenge — and one that reveals some of the latent sexism lurking in the workplace. While we haven't figured out how to avoid many of the unpleasantries of pumping at work, one Palo Alto-based startup has a solution that will allow mothers to breathe a little easier when they have to hit the road for a business trip.
Milk Stork launched only a few days ago, but it offers a service no one has before. This is the first company that allows business-traveling moms to overnight their own breast milk to their little ones, whether it’s across the country or to the other side of the state. "The reality is that most moms are working moms, and coming back to work after having a baby can be very emotional and logistically challenging," founder Kate Torgersen tells Refinery29. "I think we as a society, companies, co-workers, and fellow moms can do a better job supporting working moms and their babies." For $99 a day, breastfeeding moms won’t have to deal with the hassle of storing breast milk, pumping prior to the trip, or any guidelines for transporting breast milk (which can be pretty tricky). Milk Stork provides customers with an easy-to-use kit with everything to ship milk home — including pre-addressed, pharmaceutical-grade coolers, bags, and overnight shipping anywhere in the continental United States. "Breastfeeding is an emotional adventure filled with a lot of ups and downs. There are a lot of logistical challenges and even more rewarding moments," says Torgersen. "My hope is that Milk Stork makes the adventure a little bit easier." The door-to-door service seems like a great solution — especially since traveling mothers will have one less thing to worry about and can guarantee their babies will still be getting the nutrients they need from miles away.
Milk Stork launched only a few days ago, but it offers a service no one has before. This is the first company that allows business-traveling moms to overnight their own breast milk to their little ones, whether it’s across the country or to the other side of the state. "The reality is that most moms are working moms, and coming back to work after having a baby can be very emotional and logistically challenging," founder Kate Torgersen tells Refinery29. "I think we as a society, companies, co-workers, and fellow moms can do a better job supporting working moms and their babies." For $99 a day, breastfeeding moms won’t have to deal with the hassle of storing breast milk, pumping prior to the trip, or any guidelines for transporting breast milk (which can be pretty tricky). Milk Stork provides customers with an easy-to-use kit with everything to ship milk home — including pre-addressed, pharmaceutical-grade coolers, bags, and overnight shipping anywhere in the continental United States. "Breastfeeding is an emotional adventure filled with a lot of ups and downs. There are a lot of logistical challenges and even more rewarding moments," says Torgersen. "My hope is that Milk Stork makes the adventure a little bit easier." The door-to-door service seems like a great solution — especially since traveling mothers will have one less thing to worry about and can guarantee their babies will still be getting the nutrients they need from miles away.