From Womb to Walking

The US has low breastfeeding rates and it has been proven that breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of infant mortality, diabetes, allergies, asthma, and other chronic long-term health issues. While 94% of mothers attempt to breastfeed only 24% continue exclusively breastfeeding for six months after giving birth. After six months, fewer mothers continue breastfeeding unaware of the negative health outcomes that may occur. It is recommended that infants be breastfed for the first two years of their life and many women do not receive the education necessary to understand the benefits of breastfeeding or the challenges that may arise.

In particular, women in underserved communities are least likely to breastfeed due to lack of support, are not aware of the specific benefits, and are less familiar with the techniques. Black and Brown communities have a higher rate of prenatal, birth, and postpartum complications that lead to serious long-lasting effects. There are multiple hidden obstacles that are unique to each pregnant woman and most of the time are not expected. This is due to childbirth education being more popular rather than also placing the same importance on breastfeeding education. Families are not familiar that formula feeding does not have the equivalent benefits as breastfeeding which is an underlying issue residing in these food desert communities. Milk Diva currently is focused in Austin, Texas, and aims to increase access and expand breastfeeding education to these food desert communities in an attempt to reduce future health complications. By educating and preparing expectant mothers of Black and Brown communities on how to overcome these breastfeeding challenges while breastfeeding, we aim to improve the overall health of families. 

Building on our mission to address breastfeeding challenges, we provide culturally component support and empower mothers. We've developed a comprehensive online course designed to guide mothers through the early stages of their breastfeeding journey through the infant's first year of life to improve breastfeeding rates and infant nutrition education. This course provides crucial in-depth information about breastfeeding rather than just a quick overview and basic knowledge. To accompany this online platform we have also incorporated live interactive sessions that help teach mothers how to breastfeed. While our in-person consultations are important, providing online resources that are easily accessible is vital for a mother. These resources can be accessed from anywhere and be used in their free time or during their breaks at work.

Milk Diva provides support that acknowledges and respects all cultural backgrounds. This includes ensuring that all of our lactation consultants tailor their guidance and understand the unique challenges each mother faces. Certain cultures also have specific stigmas or misinformation regarding pregnancies, childbirth, and breastfeeding. When these concerns arise, we foster a supportive environment and provide culturally relevant educational materials. 

The target population for this initiative consists of Black and Brown mothers who face barriers to breastfeeding. These barriers can include cultural norms, lack of resources, or systematic inequalities. Black and brown communities are disproportionately underserved when it comes to breastfeeding support. The barriers they commonly encounter are having limited access to lactation consultants or a lack of culturally competent care. 

By addressing these barriers and providing tailored support, the solution aims to empower Black and Brown mothers to make informed decisions about breastfeeding and overcome any obstacles they may face. Ultimately, we aim to solve maternal and infant outcomes in these communities.

Our team is well-positioned to deliver this solution due to our extensive experience and expertise in addressing breastfeeding disparities, particularly in Black and Brown communities. Half of our staff has grown up in these communities and have first-hand experience with food deserts and inadequate food education, especially when it comes to infant nutrition. Our lactation consultants have shared experiences with these mothers which can foster empathy and trust, essential for communication. 

Having a similar background also means that we are familiar with cultural norms, values, and beliefs. This mutual understanding allows us to deliver care that is respectful and sensitive to cultural differences. Understanding the unique challenges that this community faces, we can anticipate certain barriers and help develop strategies to overcome them. Having bilingual lactation consultants has promoted trust and cultural competence among women needing breastfeeding assistance. 

Milk Diva belongs under the pilot category due to having one location in operation and is working towards gaining “traction”. Nevertheless, we have been recognized for our exceptional services through numerous awards, including the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses, consecutive wins in the 2021 and 2022 Austin Birth Awards, and recognition as a finalist for the 2023 Austin Birth Awards. 

We have also established ourselves as a top authority in Austin when it comes to addressing breastfeeding issues. Although hospital doctors are often reluctant to refer patients to private clinics, we receive numerous patients who were referred to us by local OBGYNs. We are proud to play an active role in Austin’s healthcare provider community.

One of our proudest accomplishments is that we have been able to help over 5,000 patients since our establishment in 2018. Our patients have expressed their appreciation for us through numerous five-star reviews and glowing testimonials. Each time we see the joy between a mother and her baby as they work together to accomplish their breastfeeding goals, we know that our business has succeeded in making a meaningful difference in families’ lives.

As a first-generation Latinx woman, I was raised in a food desert area in New York. My family lacked access to resources, leading us to rely on formula instead. After many years, I began working as a labor and delivery nurse where I encountered the same disparities as my childhood. As a nurse, I developed a profound understanding of the critical role breastfeeding plays in human development. Yet, its challenges often lead it to be overlooked and deemed unimportant, especially in Black and Brown communities. Milk Diva currently faces a financial barrier to assist these underserved communities. With the help of Solve, I aim to provide affordable access to support and resources for low-income mothers who want help for themselves and their babies. Solve can assist us in overcoming these barriers because we are experiencing high interest in our services, but require the financial resources to add on lactation consultants enabling us to sustain our growth. 

Milk Diva provides a comprehensive solution by offering high-quality, culturally competent wellness care for mothers and babies seeking to breastfeed. Our experienced team of lactation consultants and healthcare professionals deliver personalized lactation consultations, prenatal education, and ongoing support. We seek to scale and also offer specialized services such as perinatal care and infant nutrition counseling. Milk Diva will stand out as the only practice that combines these various disciplines and expertise, while offering compassion, and tailored approaches to empower families in achieving their breastfeeding goals and optimizing their overall wellness.

At Milk Diva, we offer in-home or virtual individualized and culturally competent breastfeeding education and consultations from the prenatal period throughout an infant's first 6 months of life. Our consultations are designed to go beyond theoretical knowledge and empower parents to comprehend the long-term nutritional benefits breast milk offers to their infant's well-being.

One significant barrier is the lack of knowledge and support about breastfeeding among mothers. Many families may not receive adequate education about breastfeeding before or after birth which can lead to difficulties in breastfeeding initiation and continuation.  

Through tailored prenatal care, Milk Diva has addressed the problem by supporting mothers and babies in prenatal education and providing more hands-on breastfeeding consultations. We think this is crucial because, without the lack of support and education, mothers will not feel supported to breastfeed.

Milk Diva’s services have shown that there has been a significant increase in breastfeeding, providing easy access to infant counseling, and increasing prenatal education rates. The bilingual staff helps facilitate access to high-quality and culturally competent care for populations who typically lack such resources. This is crucial as it contributes to the health of future generations.

Our solution holds the potential to profoundly influence this issue by offering vital assistance to women facing challenges with breastfeeding, whether it's due to the infant's reluctance or lack of maternal support. One testimonial that stands as evidence to this says “My breastfeeding journey was starting to make me depressed. I felt like I wasn’t enough for my baby and almost ready to give up. After my first session with Katie, she put my worries at ease”.

The significance lies in the ripple effect it can have on the baby's health, which in turn shapes their well-being as they transition into adulthood. By addressing these obstacles, we not only enhance immediate health outcomes for both mother and child but also contribute to long-term benefits that extend far beyond infancy. 

Securing funding is pivotal for our vision of broadening our team of lactation consultants at Milk Diva, enabling us to extend our reach and support to more patients and their babies. With augmented resources, we aim to catalyze positive changes for future generations while mitigating health complications that stem from inadequate perinatal care. Currently, we attend to an average of 170 patients monthly. However, with expanded personnel, an additional lactation consultant will empower us to accommodate an extra 40 patients monthly, enhancing our capacity to serve those in need.

Our dedication to empowering breastfeeding mothers has been unwavering since the establishment of Milk Diva. Committed to providing exceptional care and guidance, our team remains steadfast in assisting mothers along their breastfeeding journey. Expanding our team enables us to offer more lactation consultations, fostering successful breastfeeding experiences that yield numerous benefits for both mother and child, including reduced risks of health issues and infant mortality. By continuing to impact the lives of our patients and future generations, we aspire to create a ripple effect of positive change in maternal and infant healthcare.

In addition to our clinical offerings, we provide a comprehensive online support network for parents, featuring a podcast where medical and community healthcare professionals tackle common infant nutrition queries, along with an array of complimentary lactation resources. Recognizing that families grappling with breastfeeding hurdles require both emotional and clinical support, we prioritize providing compassionate care during this pivotal period. Often among the first healthcare providers to interact with newborns post-hospital discharge, we are committed to offering unwavering support to parents.

We provide extensive online courses accessible to parents at their convenience, from any location. These courses cover education for families during both the prenatal and postpartum phases, ensuring they are well-informed about childbirth expectations and the changes a woman's body undergoes. Additionally, we leverage AI technology during lactation consultations to take notes, allowing our consultants to fully focus on supporting the mother and baby without being tied to a screen typing, thereby optimizing our time and attention for families.

Moreover, our commitment extends to ensuring equitable access to our services for Austin families through our Milk Diva Gives Back patient assistance program, which aids low-income families in attaining positive health outcomes.Anticipating a direct enhancement in breastfeeding rates through increased prenatal education, we foresee improved health outcomes for infants, including a decreased risk for obesity, diabetes, asthma, and gastrointestinal issues, supported by research findings. Our consultations transcend mere theoretical knowledge, equipping parents with practical tools for informed decision-making, thereby fostering resilience and empowerment.

We currently have 2 full time lactation consultants, 2 part time consultants, and 2 chiropractors.

Milk Diva has been working on this solution for 6 years,

While we prioritize hiring consultants based on their qualifications rather than their backgrounds, we make an effort to recruit individuals who share similar cultural backgrounds with our patients. This approach is driven by Milk Diva's mission to engage more individuals from underserved communities, ensuring that our team reflects the diversity of those we serve. By recruiting lactation consultants with similar backgrounds, we aim to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for mothers seeking support. This alignment fosters trust and facilitates open communication, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of our services and empowering mothers on their breastfeeding journey.

Milk Diva LLC operates on a hybrid business model, providing lactation consultation services, chiropractic care, and infant nutrition courses. While lactation services are covered by health insurance, chiropractic and infant nutrition services are self-pay. We are proud to offer a patient assistance program that subsidizes 75% of the cost of lactation consulting services for underprivileged patients , aiming to enhance accessibility. Once our annual budget for this program has been exhausted, we must cease to provide this assistance until the following year’s budget is in effect.

Employees are compensated on a fee-for-service basis and with an annual bonus based on productivity, ensuring quality care and financial sustainability. 

This model caters to a diverse clientele while maintaining flexibility in service provision. As we expand, we aim to develop a more comprehensive patient assistance program to further improve access to our services, aligning with our mission of promoting maternal and infant health equity.

Our plan for financial sustainability involves forming strategic partnerships, seeking grants, and ensuring efficient operations. Evidence of our success includes increased revenue, positive customer feedback, established partnerships, and transparent financial reporting demonstrating growth and profitability. Through these efforts, we aim to maintain long-term financial sustainability while fulfilling our mission of supporting families during the prenatal and postpartum periods.