pumpspotting

Why did we go on a cross country bus tour? 🚌 As we entered 2024, one thing was clear: parents are still facing a crisis. Over 33% report feeling isolated, and nearly 40% are so stressed they struggle to function. Positive maternal health outcomes continue to decline, especially for women of color—a reality highlighted in the recent Surgeon General's advisory. With years of supporting mothers through our pumpspotting app and two smaller tours behind us, we’ve seen firsthand that connection—to community, clinical care, and essential products—plays a critical role in fostering healthy, thriving families. That’s why we were determined to hit the road again. We visited communities across the country, bringing resources, support, and local partnerships, all wrapped in a spirit of celebration. From hugs to high fives, our goal was simple: we wanted every parent who visited the Breast Express to leave feeling lighter, better equipped, and more empowered on their parenting journey. After 10,000 miles and 45,000 in person touchpoints with parents, community organizers, clinicians, grandparents, babies (so many babies!), and parents-to-be, we’re more confident than ever in the power of showing up, connecting, and simply reminding moms, "You’re doing a great job." It’s been an honor to shine a light on the amazing people and initiatives supporting parents across the country and to bring a little more joy and care to women everywhere. This cross-country tour challenged and surpassed even our highest hopes. And the journey isn’t over—stay tuned for more in 2025!

Thank you Aeroflow Breastpumps for being a title 2024 tour partner! Your dedication to improving maternal health outcomes and strengthening community connections shined throughout our 10,000 mile journey. 🚌 💕

We’re so honored to have connected with new and expecting moms across the country throughout the Feel Better, Feed Better Tour, and last week we made a crucial stop on Chicago’s Southwest Side. In partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Barb and team provided moms with access to essential breastfeeding supplies, lactation education, postpartum care, and wellness resources. Such a testament to the fact that Barb is so much more than just a bus. She's a mobile community space where moms can find support, share their stories, and truly feel that they are never alone. We are so grateful to those who have helped amplify our mission and this incredible story, not the least of which is the Chicago Tribune! Check out their article about our recent visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/gR7XfGZp #MaternalHealth #BreastfeedingSupport #Community #TheBreastExpress #Pumpspotting

We have been having such an inspiring time connecting with thousands of moms in real life on the Feel Better, Feed Better Tour! Our final stop is this weekend in Brooklyn and will also be virtual! Whether parents were able to meet Barb, the Breast Express, in person or not this summer, we want them to be able to experience her magic. Soooo... We’re throwing a Mother Pumpin’ Party to honor the amazing trip, celebrate the tough and beautiful journey that parenthood brings, share stories from the 2024 tour, give away plenty of goodies, and get pumped for what comes next. We couldn’t have made it this far without the beautiful mamas, families, partners and community champions in our corner. So we're excited to celebrate them all, this Saturday, 10/19 at 2pm EST. Parents are invited to mingle with peers, hear from our founder, Amy VanHaren, get a live tour of the bus, and hear from some amazing parents, partners, and community friends. Know someone who deserves to be celebrated? Check the comments for where they can register! Repost this to share with your network and get the word out to as many parents as possible. See you Saturday!

“So many parents think breastfeeding will just fall into place naturally, but that’s only true for about 10% of people,” our very own Lactation Program Director Paula Norcott, IBCLC, said. “Everyone else has to work hard to make it happen.” We're so honored to be included in Motherly®'s recent article, encouraging folks to level-set about just how hard breastfeeding is 👉 https://lnkd.in/gXPj-8WQ Most parents will face challenges along their nursing journeys, and the CDC estimates that about 60% will quit giving breastmilk to their babies before they'd intended to do so. Parents need proactive and ongoing education about the challenges they could face when nursing their children. If we give them the information and resources they need, mothers will have a much greater chance at success. pumpspotting knows this because we see an astonishing 9/10 parents in our mobile community reach or exceed their baby-feeding goals. In the app, we provide a unique and vital combination of community support and expert guidance that gives parents the confidence and information they need to keep going. In doing so, we are so proud to see breastfeeding success rates soar and parents' mental health improve with them. Your organization can bring pumpspotting's resources to your parent employees with our Workplace solution. Reach out at [email protected] to get started!

🎉 It’s Party Time!🎉 The *2024 Feel Better Feed Better Bus Tour* has been an incredible journey across the nation, and we’re not done yet! 🚍💨 We’re gearing up for one **MOTHER pumpin’ party** to celebrate YOU – the amazing parents, communities, and partners who made this tour unforgettable. ✨ Join us LIVE for the final (virtual) tour stop! ✨ 📅 Date: Saturday, October 19 ⏰ Time:11:00a PST / 1:00p CST / 2:00p EST 💻 Location:From the comfort of your home (virtual link to follow) Get ready to: 🎤 Connect with fellow parents 🎉 Hear inspiring stories from the road 🎁 Find out who wins our **MOTHER of a GIVEAWAY** (you can still enter HERE!) 🚍 Take a virtual tour of the bus 🎁 Be surprised with fun giveaways! pumpspotting 👉 Click the link and sign up now to join the party! https://lnkd.in/eyhTvHrX Mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss this celebration of feeding parents capable of hard things! 💪💕 #FeelBetterFeedBetter #BusTour2024 #MomLife #ParentingJourney #CommunityCelebration

Munchkin’s taking baby-feeding confidence nationwide! Our thanks to pumpspotting for welcoming Munchkin Milkmakers lactation treats aboard the #BreastExpress bus all summer. For remaining tour dates, click here: https://lnkd.in/e9VJcrFH

The Chamber of Mothers Chicago chapter is excited to team up with pumpspotting on their #BreastExpress Tour at Eris Brewery and Cider House! Join us Wednesday, October 9, for an evening of celebration, support, networking and discussion. We'll come together to build stronger community connections and improve maternal health outcomes through access to resources and knowledge. As part of our #VoteLikeaMother campaign, this impactful networking event will support voter registration and include a short panel discussion with local and national leaders in the maternal health space. Start with a visit on Barb the bus, connect with other parents and community leaders, and walk away feeling empowered, supported, uplifted and ready to vote. Join in the discussion with: 🌟 Amy VanHaren, Pumpspotting Founder & CEO 🌟 Melissa Wirt, Latched Mama Founder & CEO 🌟 Jenny LeFlore, Writer, Community Builder, Founder of Mama Fresh 🌟 Ashley Farrow Brenner, The Lactation Network CMO 🌟 Nancy Ukpe Gargula, Chicago Chamber of Mothers Facilitator All are welcome! #maternalhealth

The Boob Bus is headed to Chicago for an amazing roster of events with team pumpspotting. Meet me on board? Tomorrow, 10/9: - Latched Mama Pop-up at the Purple Monkey Playroom from 9-1. Bring the kiddos for playtime while you shop at a famous Latched Mama pop-up, and enjoy coffee and treats and community! Purple Monkey Playroom is a mom-owned play space that serves the local community with welcoming, easy-to-enjoy and educational toys and activities for kids. - Networking Event + Panel Discussion with the Chicago Chapter of Chamber of Mothers at Eris Brewery and Cider House from 4-7:30. Join us for an evening of celebration, support, networking and discussion. We'll come together to build stronger community connections and improve maternal health outcomes through access to resources and knowledge. As part of the Chamber of Mothers #VoteLikeaMother campaign, this impactful networking event will support voter registration and include a short panel discussion with local and national leaders in the maternal health space. Join in the discussion with: 🌟 Abby Schmeling, Chicago Chamber of Mothers Facilitator (special shout out for all her amazing work making this happen!) 🌟 Nancy Ukpe Gargula, Chicago Chamber of Mothers Facilitator 🌟 Amy VanHaren, Pumpspotting Founder & CEO 🌟 Melissa Wirt, Latched Mama Founder & CEO 🌟 Jenny LeFlore, Writer, Community Builder, Founder of Mama Fresh 🌟 Ashley Farrow Brenner, Chief Marketing Officer, The Lactation Network Friday: - Greater Lawn WIC Pull up: Celebrating Community and Supporting Maternal Health alongside Chicago Department of Public Health 8-11 am We’re honored to be coming together with the Chicago Department of Health, CDPH, who works with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient and @Healthy Chicago, WIC, a federally funded program that helps ensure a healthier generation by providing prescriptive, nutrient dense foods, targeted nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and linkage to primary and preventive care. Learn about all the baby-feeding, postpartum and family resources Chicago has available. Speak with lactation, mental health and wellness experts. Learn about tons of new postpartum products, enjoy free snacks and giveaways. Mix ‘n’ mingle with fellow moms! - Whole Foods Market Stop at 225 W Touhy Ave, Park Ridge, IL from 3-6pm Grocery shopping with a little one is no easy feat, mama - let us treat you to a few moments of TLC, connection, and community. Come on down and hop onboard to mingle with other mamas and parents, nurse, pump, feed, and breathe! We'll have Stonyfield at the ready! - The Chicago The Prego Expo, LLC Sunday 10/13 from 9-5 Meet Barb the Breast Express at the Chicago Prego Expo! Nurse, pump, nourish, and connect while you’re exploring new products, attending parenting seminars, and making friends! We hope to see you on board! :) All events can be found at: https://lnkd.in/eYYVJvfJ

Learn more about donor milk and milk banking from ABC 10 News! Thank you Ceres Chill and pumpspotting for joining us to celebrate breastmilk feeding families in the community. UC Health Milk Bank.