Breastfeeding future generations.
Creating an inclusive, systemic approach to child nourishment.
Introduction
As part of a project at Parsons School of Design, my team expanded the system of a traditional breast pumping solution via a given case study.
Process
After in-depth research on the presented case, we conducted qualitative user interviews with becoming and current mothers to uncover their core motivations in child nutrition. The analyzed case approach focused more on the technical process of breastfeeding (Graphic: yellow).
Outcome
My team approached the problem from a systematic approach that branches out into various addressable challenges (Graphic: blue), e.g., health, education, social stigma, financial resources, government regulations. The team derived multiple strategic approaches to an even more sensible and supportive solution.
Expanding target audience
The case narrowly defined the target audience, targeting mothers who choose to breastfeed without acknowledging other possible nourishment options (i.e. formula,) and caregivers that do not have the option to breastfeed (adoption, health issues, etc.)
Strategic design approach: Accountable stakeholders
A strategic design approach could consider other stakeholders involved, ranging from father figures, family, even educators. Addressing a wider range of stakeholders could reduce social stigmas around breastfeeding, as involving an entire network in the nourishment of the next generation neutralizes the process.
Surface-level need
According to the case, women are seeking mobility and discreteness in their breastpump, likely evolving from a pressure to hide breastfeeding.
Strategic design approach: Reduced social stigma
Our user interviews validated this underlying pressure to hide breastfeeding, e.g., workplaces requiring a room for pumping in private. A strategic design approach could create environments that celebrate a breadth of choices, also considering public confidence, adoption, and caregiving, rather than compartmentalizing a taboo.
Addressing core future challenge
Larger than breastfeeding, the issue revolves around generational health. Due to psychological stress, diet culture, and environmental toxins, breastmilk quality is declining further generation by generation. Suddenly, “How to breastfeed” zooms out to “how to keep generations healthy.”
Strategic design approach: Personalized nourishment
A strategic design solution might include personalized analyses of breastmilk, partnered with education, to empower women to make the choice that’s right for them, before the breastpump point of purchase.