Breast pump parts today are designed to be durable and reusable — and that’s a good thing. For decades, they’ve helped millions of mothers feed their babies while returning to work, recovering from birth, or navigating complicated feeding journeys. But while the function has improved, the materials have barely changed.

Most pump components are still made from petroleum-based plastics. They’re safe, effective, and built to last — yet they require constant washing, sterilizing, drying, reassembling, and eventually replacing. For mothers pumping multiple times a day, the session itself is only half the job. The cleanup is relentless. Many moms buy extra sets of parts simply to reduce the mental load. It’s not indulgent — it’s practical.

At the same time, we’re living in a moment where material innovation is transforming nearly every industry. From food packaging to fashion, companies are rethinking what products are made from and where they end up after use. Maternal health deserves that same level of attention.

Pump For Joy was created to explore a simple question: what would breast milk collection look like if it were designed today, using modern material science and a deep understanding of how mothers actually live? Our approach centers on plant-based biopolymers like PHA — materials derived from renewable resources and designed to break down more naturally at end of life compared to traditional plastics. The goal isn’t to replace reusable pump systems or suggest they’re flawed. They serve families well. The goal is to expand the options available.

There are moments in motherhood when convenience isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. Early postpartum recovery. Long workdays. Travel. NICU stays. Seasons when washing and sterilizing parts around the clock feels overwhelming. In those moments, mothers shouldn’t have to choose between ease and their environmental values.

We believe innovation in maternal health should reduce friction, not add to it. It should support breastfeeding goals, respect safety standards, and reflect the sustainability concerns many modern families carry. Most of all, it should acknowledge that mothers are already balancing enough.

Pumping is an act of care. The products that support it should be thoughtfully designed — for performance, for real life, and for the future our children will grow up in. That’s the work we’re committed to building at Pump For Joy.