Fighting for Breastfeeding Education in the Workplace and Beyond, with Amy VanHaren

As a mom, do you feel comfortable when you breastfeed in public places, especially in the workplace? Have you received a negative comment or side glance or been asked to stop?

Amy VanHaren is on the Moms With a Purpose podcast this week. She’s the CEO and founder of pumpspotting, a digital platform and employer benefit software helping parents feed both family and career. Amy faced deep isolation while working and breastfeeding and the experience led her on a quest to solve the pain points of feeding—at work and everywhere else in the world—and to unite nursing, pumping women.

She has 24 years experience in marketing and digital community building at companies like Patagonia and Amy's Kitchen and Vistaprint. Since launching Pumpspotting Amy has supported over 40,000 postpartum parents to date, pitched on a moving escalator on Apple’s reality TV show, spent five months traveling cross-country to meet thousands of mothers in her Breast Express RV, and been named one of Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneurs.

Though it feels scary, exhausting and uncomfortable, with the help of Amy’s Pumpspotting, a lot of moms were able to feel the support they needed. Amy also discusses how having an open conversation with your employer can help you in getting the right mindset to advocate your family needs upon returning to work.

Let's dive in!

We also chatted about: 

01:23 How Amy started Pumpspotting

09:59 How moms or dads advocate their family needs after returning to work  

14:32  What would be her tip/s to a mom in a male-dominated workplace 

16:51  How Amy helps company or employers to support breastfeeding moms

20:40  How Breastfeeding education helps and supports business

22:07  What drives her forward

24:15  What was her experiences traveling cross-country with their Express RV

28:28  How does she balance her time between family and business  

32:58  Her thoughts to give to moms

33:56  What’s her favorite part of being a Mom

34:18  What’s her non-negotiable practice every day

35:52  Who are her favorite podcasters and authors

At the end of the day, Amy always makes sure to balance her time between her family and work. She also involves her kids on her mission with the support of her husband. 

Quotes

“Prepare your mindset, you need to be gentle with yourself. You need to tell yourself you can do this whatever it looks like, you need to know you're not alone.”

“There is so much willingness among us parents who have been through to pay it forward. I wanna open doors, I wanna  ”

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” - Fred Rogers

“Healthy moms and babies mean healthy business so win-win for everyone.”

“The power of that nurturing and how could w

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/modernwitchmama/message