Start-up launches lactation pod for working mothers

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala-based women-led venture 'I love 9 Months,' incubated by the Kerala Startup Mission, has set up a lactation pod at Technopark here, which will enable working mothers to pump breast milk in a safe, comfortable, and private area in offices.

The facility, set up on the ground floor of Thejaswani block at Technopark, was inaugurated by Dr Saji Gopinath, CEO KSUM, and Tina James, president of e-Wit Technologies, Tuesday.

The state-of-the art facility 'Domatio,' which comes as a trailblazer in mother and child care in the country, can be used by all Technopark-based mothers free of cost, a press release said.

Taking safety and privacy of mothers into account, its salient features include a two-way locked 8ft by4ft private room, comfortable chairs with footstool for relaxed pumping, and clean and state-of-the-art breast pump.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified breast-feeding friendly work place policy a critical component in mother and child wellness.

'I Love 9 Months,' is a maternity wellness startup, co-founded by three women entrepreneurs – Ganga Raj, Anjali Raj, and Suma Ajith.

It works to provide products and services that help improve maternal and infant outcomes, and was selected the best startup in wellness sector in India-Israel Innovation Challenge.

The startup has earlier launched a service called 'Sahodari,' to assist mothers with vital checks, physical and emotional and breastfeeding support.

The startup has plans to partner with corporates and government offices to make workplace more mother-baby and breastfeeding-friendly.