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Maia: A better way to store & cool breastmilk.

Pippy Sips built Maia so that nursing moms can store, cool, and carry their breastmilk with ease. We want moms to be able to #PumpAnywhere

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Project Description

 

Pippy Sips is guided by a simple mandate:  Make pumping easier for breastfeeding moms.  We will be fulfilling that mandate in two ways.  First, by developing pumping accessories that improve upon the status quo - starting with our first product, Maia, a patent-pending, all-in-one system for storing and cooling breastmilk.  And second, through various breastfeeding-related philanthropic efforts.  We want every mom to have the resources she needs to be able to #PumpAnywhere

 

The last few decades have seen significant advancements in the efficiency and capability of breast pumps ('double-electric,' 'cordless' and 'Bluetooth-enabled' features, etc.).

Unfortunately, when comparing pumps to pump accessories, a real innovation gap is evident.  This is particularly so when one surveys available options for storing and cooling expressed breastmilk.

Storing and cooling options often are re-purposed products, meaning that they were not designed with all of the nuances of pumping in mind:  Feeding bottles used as milk-storage bottles; coolers that one could find in the camping section of a department store; and variously shaped ice packs that bear no relationship to bottles containing breastmilk.  Such accessory products, while generally serviceable, are far from optimal when it comes to mom safely storing and transporting her milk away from home, especially when there isn't a standard refrigerator nearby. 

Amberlee Venti founded Pippy Sips because she believes that nursing moms deserve better.  And because dozens of currently and formerly nursing moms told Pippy Sips the same thing, the company created Maia, the first in a series of products that address various pumping-related challenges.       

 

Amberlee is the mother of two amazing daughters.  After each birth, she took leave from work.  Recognizing breastmilk's myriad health benefits - and, fortunately, receiving sufficient support (from her midwife, lactation consultant and family, among others) - Amberlee nursed her daughters throughout both periods of maternity leave. 

After exhausting her leave and returning to work, it was important to Amberlee to continue feeding her children breastmilk.  Doing so required a whole lot of pumping. 

A pump may be used during the breastfeeding experience for one or several reasons, including to increase milk supply, to stimulate lactation, or to prevent engorgement.  One of the more common reasons for a mom to pump is to make sure her child has access to breastmilk during time apart (work, school, events, travel, and so on).  

While Amberlee was able to pump at her job - multiple times a day, for many months - the process invited a number of issues.  Amberlee was often exasperated thinking about all of the stuff she needed to pack (pump, battery pack, flanges, hoses, several milk bottles, cooling apparatus, etc.), and all of the potential pitfalls of the pumping day.  Had she remembered all of the bottles, or was one still drying on the counter? Would she have to carry her milk-filled bottles through a crowded conference room to get to the office refrigerator?  Was she going to be off-site, without access to the fridge?  If so, did she remember her cooler and ice pack?  Were those products going to keep her milk at the right temperature all day? What if her return home were delayed for some reason?

She often wondered:  'What if one of the big breast-pump companies were developing a product responsive to all of those questions?' And then one day she thought:  'Why should I wait for someone else to do it?'  

 

Amberlee is not an engineer.  But she had a clear vision for how pumping accessories should look and work, and what aspects of pumping those accessories should support.  So she formed a company with her husband (Pippy Sips - Philadelphia, PA) and eventually teamed up with some creative and skilled engineers (Pragmatc - Boston, MA).  After a lot of designing, testing and redesigning the first product, Amberlee was satisfied that Pippy Sips was well on its way to fulfilling its core mission.  

We call our flagship product "Maia."  It's a name with a variety of meanings in different languages, many of which are apt to Pippy Sips's intended customer base:  'mother,' 'bravery' and 'love,' to name a few. 

Maia is a patent-pending, all-in-one storing and cooling system for breastmilk.  It features a vacuum-insulated stainless steel shell, into which is nested a BPA-free, high-grade plastic storage bottle that connects to industry-leading pumps (e.g., Medela, Ameda, Evenflo).  The storage bottle component holds up to 10 ounces of milk and has a unique design that maximizes cooling speed and duration. 

The storage bottle has a cap with built-in thermometer, and it sits on top of a stainless steel cooling mechanism that is 'rechargeable' overnight in a standard freezer.  The lid of the stainless steel bottle cannot be fully tightened unless all of the internal components are present and properly aligned, thus reducing the risk that one of the components will be forgotten at home. 

With Maia, moms can be assured that their breastmilk was stored safely throughout the day when a refrigerator is not accessible.  The milk will quickly get to refrigerator-level cool and stay there for over 10 hours.  Want to make sure of that?  At any time just check the digital temperature display on the cap, which is visible through a cutout in the lid of the stainless steel shell. 

Pippy Sips is confident that Maia has a durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal superior to other portable storing and cooling systems—all with fewer component parts.  We can't wait for moms to try it!

 

Pippy Sips needs your help.  Manufacturing is incredibly expensive.  And we are a tiny, pre-revenue start-up.  We are raising funds on iFundWomen so that we can provide Maia to nursing moms who want to improve their pumping experience.  Thank you in advance for your support.

 

Pippy Sips is committed to helping breastfeeding moms in ways other than through product development.  To that end, backers of our crowdfunding campaign who select a reward tier that includes a Maia have an option to donate it to a nursing mom in need.  We are so pleased to be working with Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project - a volunteer organization in Tupelo, Mississippi that provides community-based doula and breastfeeding peer counselor programs - to identify eligible recipients of donated products. 

Looking beyond our crowdfunding campaign, Pippy Sips will be dedicating a percentage of its sales from Maia (and future products) to various nonprofit organizations that provide support and resources for breastfeeding moms.

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

When will I receive my reward(s)?

After the conclusion of the crowdfunding campaign, backers will get an email from Pippy Sips asking for any information needed to fulfill their reward orders (e.g., shipping addresses, shirt sizes).  Estimated delivery times for the various rewards are:

Digital Shout-outs - March 2019

PopSockets - March 2019

Shirts - March 2019

Maias – Summer 2021 (Updated 4/29/2021)

Launch Party – March 2019 (electronic invite sent to ticket-holders)

 

Is the Maia product currently on sale?

No.  At present, the only way to receive a Maia is to pre-order one through our crowdfunding campaign.  But please check our website, www.pippysips.com, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the development of our commercial operations. 

 

Does Maia come in only one color?

For now, yes.  We plan to offer a variety of colors and designs in the future.

 

How do I use the product?

Instructions for use will be included with this product.

 

Does Maia connect to all pumps?

Maia readily connects to small-mouth flanges (e.g., Medela, Ameda, Evenflo), and with a standard adapter connects to wide-mouth flanges (e.g., Spectra, Lansinoh, Philips Avent).

 

How can users of Maia get compensated for feedback?

After two weeks of beta-testing Maia, moms can email Pippy Sips ([email protected]) to request a survey. The survey is designed to elicit detailed feedback about the product and the user experience.  In exchange for completing and returning the survey, moms will receive $20.  Consumer feedback is very important to Pippy Sips, as we want to make sure we are delivering moms premium pumping accessories.

 

Is the product dishwasher safe?

The component of Maia that holds the milk (the plastic bottle) is dishwasher safe.

 

How much breastmilk does Maia store?

Maia holds up to 10 ounces of breastmilk.  It is recommended that higher producers take advantage of our discounted pricing for pre-orders of two Maias.  

 

At what temperature does Maia keep my breastmilk? For how long?

We are still working to finalize the product.  That said, Maia has been designed with the intention to bring breastmilk to a safe cooling temperature faster than typical portable systems.  Maia has been designed with the intention to keep breast milk at a guidelines-compliant temperature for between 10 and 24 hours, depending on the quantity of stored milk.  According to industry guidance, freshly pumped breastmilk should be used or properly stored within 4 hours of being expressed.  Freshly pumped breastmilk can be stored in a standard refrigerator (39°F / 4°C) for several days (up to 8 days, but ideally no more than 4 or 5), and in a typical cooler with frozen ice pack (59° F / 15°C) for up to 24 hours.  Guidance may vary for pre-term, sick, or hospitalized infants.

 

Will I be able to purchase extra parts to use with Maia?

Not at this time.  Once our e-commerce platform is up and running, however, we will be selling extra storage bottles and cooling components.   

 

How do I learn more about the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project?

The NMBP is run by a truly inspiring woman named Toni Hill, with whom Pippy Sips has been fortunate to connect.  You can follow Toni’s organization on Facebook, or check it out at this web address: http://nemsbirthingproject.wordpress.com

 

What if I live outside the United States and want a Maia?

An extra fee will be added for international shipping.  

 

 

Kathy-Ann
04/25/2019
Monetary Contribution
$50
Sandra
04/09/2019
Maia (pre-order)
$150
Lauren
03/15/2019
Monetary Contribution
$30
Susan Stolting
03/13/2019
Monetary Contribution
$90
Susan Stolting
03/13/2019
Maia (pre-order)
$130
Laurie S
03/10/2019
Monetary Contribution
$50
Liz M
03/07/2019
PopSocket feat. Pippy Sips logo
$20
gfmama’s
03/06/2019
Get featured in our newsletter!
$25
Emily Smith
03/06/2019
Monetary Contribution
$50
Laura
03/05/2019
Ticket to Launch Party
$225
Monetary Contribution

Giving, as its own reward.  Any and all monetary contributions are greatly appreciated.

65 Supporters
Select this reward
15.00 USD
Digital Shout-out

To thank you for your contribution, we're going to acknowledge your support all over the e-place:  On Pippy Sips's social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), on our website (www.pippysips.com), and in our monthly newsletter (subscription instructions are on our website).  

25 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
PopSocket feat. Pippy Sips logo

These are official PopSocket phone grips, featuring Pippy Sips's 'bottle logo.'  

16 Supporters
None available
30.00 USD
Pippy Sips T-Shirts

Choose one of 3 designs in which to sport your Pippy Sips pride.  Adult sizes S through XL.

20 Supporters
None available
175.00 USD
Maia - two of them (pre-order)

Pre-order two and save approximately 20% on each. Ideal for nursing moms using double-electric pumps.  A set of two can also be donated to a nursing mom in need. 

13 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
225.00 USD
Ticket to Launch Party

Join us in Philadelphia for an evening of dinner and drinks, as Pippy Sips celebrates its journey from idea to commercial operations.  Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 6-9pm.      

1 Left
19 Supporters
Select this reward
375.00 USD
Deluxe Package

Wow! To reward your staggering display of generosity, please accept our full suite of rewards (Digital Shout-out, one PopSocket, one T-Shirt, one Maia, one ticket to Launch Party), plus a personalized thank you letter to your mailbox or inbox (depending on which address you prefer). All rewards, other than Maia, will be delivered to Deluxe backers at or before the Launch Party.

3 Supporters
None available
5.00 USD
Instant-Insta shout-out

Get Insta-taneous gratification with a $5 backing.   Your name and/or Instagram handle will be featured in a Pippy Sips Instagram story.

3 Supporters
Select this reward
170.00 USD
Maia (pre-order) (+ int'l shipping)

You're pre-ordering Maia, and you want it delivered outside of the United States.  That's no problem!  International shipping costs are included with this reward.

10 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Get featured in our newsletter!

With this reward, you (or your business) will get a star turn in a future issue of "PS...", the official Pippy Sips newsletter.  Our loyal readers will get a chance to learn more about you through a little Q&A.

1 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Philadelphia, PA
Created 1 Campaign
Health + Science

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Giving, as its own reward.  Any and all monetary contributions are greatly appreciated.

65 Supporters
Select this reward
15.00 USD
Digital Shout-out

To thank you for your contribution, we're going to acknowledge your support all over the e-place:  On Pippy Sips's social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), on our website (www.pippysips.com), and in our monthly newsletter (subscription instructions are on our website).  

25 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
PopSocket feat. Pippy Sips logo

These are official PopSocket phone grips, featuring Pippy Sips's 'bottle logo.'  

16 Supporters
None available
30.00 USD
Pippy Sips T-Shirts

Choose one of 3 designs in which to sport your Pippy Sips pride.  Adult sizes S through XL.

20 Supporters
None available
175.00 USD
Maia - two of them (pre-order)

Pre-order two and save approximately 20% on each. Ideal for nursing moms using double-electric pumps.  A set of two can also be donated to a nursing mom in need. 

13 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
225.00 USD
Ticket to Launch Party

Join us in Philadelphia for an evening of dinner and drinks, as Pippy Sips celebrates its journey from idea to commercial operations.  Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 6-9pm.      

1 Left
19 Supporters
Select this reward
375.00 USD
Deluxe Package

Wow! To reward your staggering display of generosity, please accept our full suite of rewards (Digital Shout-out, one PopSocket, one T-Shirt, one Maia, one ticket to Launch Party), plus a personalized thank you letter to your mailbox or inbox (depending on which address you prefer). All rewards, other than Maia, will be delivered to Deluxe backers at or before the Launch Party.

3 Supporters
None available
5.00 USD
Instant-Insta shout-out

Get Insta-taneous gratification with a $5 backing.   Your name and/or Instagram handle will be featured in a Pippy Sips Instagram story.

3 Supporters
Select this reward
170.00 USD
Maia (pre-order) (+ int'l shipping)

You're pre-ordering Maia, and you want it delivered outside of the United States.  That's no problem!  International shipping costs are included with this reward.

10 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Get featured in our newsletter!

With this reward, you (or your business) will get a star turn in a future issue of "PS...", the official Pippy Sips newsletter.  Our loyal readers will get a chance to learn more about you through a little Q&A.

1 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward