Innovation of the week: A better breast pump

Most nursing mothers would rather do anything else than pump breast milk, said Michal Lev-Ram at Fortune. "If the experience isn't painful for them, it's certainly time-consuming and frustrating and loud." Janica Alvarez, a former pharmaceutical researcher and a mom of three who struggled with traditional breast pumps, aims to change all that.

Her Silicon Valley startup, Naya Health, has created the $599 Smart Pump, which uses a water-based hydraulic system instead of the air-based suction used in most breast pumps. The design is quieter, and "allows for a machine that more closely mimics the motions of a nursing baby." It contains fewer parts to clean than current pumps on the market, and — as with many modern smart devices — there's also an app, to track pumping sessions. The Smart Pump will start shipping in August.

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