Mother develops low-stimulation app to support postpartum recovery and mental health of breastpumping mothers

Breastpumping is a reality for many mothers whose infants cannot latch, are born prematurely, or must be separated due to health reasons — and yet the physical and emotional toll it takes is rarely acknowledged. The idea for Twily was born in the quiet, pressure-filled hours of the night, while I pumped every three hours, day and night, ever since my premature daughter was born. The frustrating chore that kept me awake left no room for recovery, and yet it was essential for my daughter’s nutrition. In that tension — between caring for her and neglecting myself — I began to wonder how common this experience was, because no one seemed to be talking about it. I started researching the physical and emotional stress of breastpumping and uncovered an urgent problem shared by the majority of breastfeeding mothers — yet addressed by practically no one.

Many mothers, caught in the mental and physical strain of the pumping lifestyle, face the impossible choice between early cessation or continuing while battling chronic stress — both options carrying known long-term consequences for maternal and infant health. Twily offers a third way: a tool that builds resilience through micro-recovery moments during pumping. By supporting maternal wellbeing, we aim to help mothers sustain breastfeeding for as long as they choose.

Twily is a low-stimulation, audio-first digital health app designed specifically to support mothers during pumping. It blends trauma-informed recovery techniques with gentle practices from yoga, meditation, breathwork, and nervous system regulation — all designed to work with the pump, not against it. With the help of conversational AI and a knowledge base developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, the app tailors each session through smart diagnostics and adapts over time based on user feedback.

By integrating scientifically backed micro-interventions into the pumping routine, we aim to improve stress levels, regulate hormones essential to lactation, and support long-term postpartum recovery.

Next Steps: We are currently building a fully functioning prototype, soon piloting the concept with healthcare professionals and postpartum mothers. Our next goal is to partner with hospitals, lactation consultants, and women’s health organizations to validate outcomes and scale impact across digital health platforms.