kindestCup
A unique multifunctional cup for breastfeeding.
Project Description
There are many things about breastfeeding that are easy, like nurturing and comforting tiny humans.
But managing lactating breasts can be challenging.
We can't take baby everywhere... and breast pumps suck... in more than one way.
By harvesting the power of hand expression, kindestCup gives breastfeeding women the freedom to stay comfortable and maintain milk supply, anytime, anywhere.
It's time take matters in our own hands... it's time to get in touch with our lactating body!
kindestCup is a unique, patent pending design that was developed by Melanie Scholz, an experienced breastfeeding mom with a PhD in biomechanics. Our prototype has been tested and approved by hundreds of women.
kindestCup has 3 functions:
- catching hand expressed milk
- collecting drip milk, leaking from the breast (hands-free)
- cup feeding
kindestCup is also affordable, easy to clean and portable. It is made from 100% food-safe silicone, free of BPA, phthalates and PVC.
In the USA, 4 million babies are born every year and over 80% of mothers initiate breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, as well as various cancers and infections. The WHO recommends that mothers breastfeed their children for 2 years or more. In North America, only 40% of babies are breastfeed past 6 months. The most common reason cited for quitting breastfeeding early is 'inadequate supply'.
With kindestCup, we can express breast milk discretely and effectively, anytime, anywhere. Hence, we can manage and keep up our milk supply, no matter what life throws at us (travel delay? power outage? work schedule?).
Thanks to kindestCup, more women will reach their breastfeeding goals. Higher breastfeeding rates translate to healthier populations and lower healthcare costs, now and in the future.
We need kindestCup! That means we need funding to purchase the production tooling required to make kindestCups available to everybody who needs it.
Thank you for contributing and sharing this campaign.
This project would not be possible without your help.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who are the women behind the kindestCup project?
We are Mel (Canada), Helen (Ireland) and Vicky (China).
Mel is the founder of kindestCup. She is an experienced breastfeeder with a PhD in biomechanics and she designed kindestCup.
Helen is the co-founder of kindestCup and the artistic director. Helen breastfed her children for many years. She is a trained breastfeeding counsellor and supports many breastfeeding moms, in person and online. Helen is also famous for her evocative breast milk art (breast milk encased in beautiful glass sculptures).
Vicky is our production manager. She is a breastfeeding mom and an expert in silicone manufacturing. Without her, kindestCup would be nothing but a dream.
- What other design features does kindestCup have?
kindestCup has some 'hidden' features that help users express more milk faster. Our body releases breast milk in response to oxytocin, the hormone associated with pleasure. The following features make expressing milk more pleasurable:
- kindestCup is translucent so that the user can see their milk accumulate (positive feedback)
- kindestCup has a tapered reservoir so that the level of milk rises quickly (positive feedback)
- kindestCup is soft to the touch and warms up to the temperature of the breast milk (positive feedback).
- kindestCup has no volume scale to avoid unrealistic expectations or feelings of inadequacy (no negative feedback).
Just because you care. Do you love this project unconditionally and don't want anything in return? Go for it! You'll still get our eternal gratitude :)
If everyone who likes this campaign pitches in a toonie (Canadian for $2), reaching the campaign goal will be a breeze. That's the beauty of crowdfunding! Together we are strong!
20% discount on kindestCup (regular: $25)
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch
It's a good idea to get more than one kindestCup so that you can share with a friend or keep them in different spots. I keep one in my bag, in the car, at home and at work.
40% discount for TWO kindestCups (regular: $50)
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- two free convenient, reusable zipper pouches
Get your kindestCup now!
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch
Not sure how to hand express? Get kindestCup AND Go Milk Yourself by Francie Webb.
Go Milk Yourself is the most comprehensive guide on hand expression available. It explains various techniques with real pictures showing real breasts and nipples of different shapes and sizes. It is a great and thoughtful read that goes beyond hand expression and leaves you with a sense of empowerment and confidence by systematically braking down common insecurities we face as new parents.The author, Francie Webb, also teaches online personalized hand expression classes at www.themilkinmama.com.
EXCLUSIVE:
-free shipping (worldwide)
-free convenient, reuseable zipper pouch for kindestCup.
You don't have a need for kindestCup right now but you believe in this this project and receive a reward for your support? This amazing sticker is for you! Inspire people around you to express themselves (literally and figuratively). Note that you can donate more than 10$ if you wish.
Did you love the 'splashy' t-shirt Mel is wearing in the video? You can get your own and go through life encouraging people to express themselves.
Please specify your size: S, M, L, XL
For 500$ we will customize the print on the bottom of kindestCup for you. Pick your color and your text!
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (world wide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch
Rewards
Just because you care. Do you love this project unconditionally and don't want anything in return? Go for it! You'll still get our eternal gratitude :)
If everyone who likes this campaign pitches in a toonie (Canadian for $2), reaching the campaign goal will be a breeze. That's the beauty of crowdfunding! Together we are strong!
20% discount on kindestCup (regular: $25)
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch
It's a good idea to get more than one kindestCup so that you can share with a friend or keep them in different spots. I keep one in my bag, in the car, at home and at work.
40% discount for TWO kindestCups (regular: $50)
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- two free convenient, reusable zipper pouches
Get your kindestCup now!
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (worldwide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch
Not sure how to hand express? Get kindestCup AND Go Milk Yourself by Francie Webb.
Go Milk Yourself is the most comprehensive guide on hand expression available. It explains various techniques with real pictures showing real breasts and nipples of different shapes and sizes. It is a great and thoughtful read that goes beyond hand expression and leaves you with a sense of empowerment and confidence by systematically braking down common insecurities we face as new parents.The author, Francie Webb, also teaches online personalized hand expression classes at www.themilkinmama.com.
EXCLUSIVE:
-free shipping (worldwide)
-free convenient, reuseable zipper pouch for kindestCup.
You don't have a need for kindestCup right now but you believe in this this project and receive a reward for your support? This amazing sticker is for you! Inspire people around you to express themselves (literally and figuratively). Note that you can donate more than 10$ if you wish.
Did you love the 'splashy' t-shirt Mel is wearing in the video? You can get your own and go through life encouraging people to express themselves.
Please specify your size: S, M, L, XL
For 500$ we will customize the print on the bottom of kindestCup for you. Pick your color and your text!
EXCLUSIVE:
- free shipping (world wide)
- free convenient, reusable zipper pouch