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Sascha Mayer | Building Mamava: How One Startup is Redesigning the Breastfeeding Support Experience



Sascha Mayer | Creating Space: How Mamava Revolutionized Breastfeeding Support in Public and at Work


If you've ever tried to pump in a bathroom stall, breastfeed in a crowded terminal, or juggle work calls while navigating postpartum recovery—you’re not alone. And you’re exactly who Mamava was built for.


On this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, host Jessica Lamb sits down with Sascha Mayer, co-founder and former CEO of Mamava, the first company to design freestanding lactation suites for public spaces. They talk about the origin story of Mamava, the role of design in supporting mothers, and the power of creating systems that reflect the real, lived experiences of modern parents.


This is more than a startup story—it’s a movement toward maternal equity, driven by one simple belief: every parent deserves the right to feed their baby in peace.


Where the Idea Began

For Sascha, Mamava started with personal frustration. As a working mom in the design and branding world, she knew the power of storytelling—but also the power of systems. After returning to work postpartum, she was stunned by how few accommodations existed for pumping mothers.

No designated space. No privacy. No dignity.


The experience left her wondering: Why hasn’t anyone solved this?


So, with her colleague and fellow mom Christine Dodson, she set out to do just that. In 2013, they launched Mamava, installing the very first free-standing lactation pod in an airport. Since then, the company has grown into a national presence—with pods in airports, schools, offices, stadiums, and more.


But Sascha is the first to say: this isn’t just about the pods.


Designing for Dignity, Not Just Utility

At the heart of Mamava is a commitment to design that honors the user experience. These pods aren’t afterthoughts—they’re clean, private, well-lit spaces equipped with outlets, benches, and calming visuals. And most importantly? They're visible.


“Visibility is part of normalization,” Sascha says. “When we design better for moms, we design better for everyone.”


In this episode, she shares how her background in social impact branding shaped Mamava’s design ethos—from color palettes to signage—and why creating a warm, welcoming space is about more than comfort. It's about respect.


Why Lactation Support Is a Workplace Issue

We’ve all heard the phrase “support working parents.” But what does that actually look like?

For Sascha and the Mamava team, it means more than just policies. It means infrastructure. It means actionable access. And it means acknowledging that returning to work doesn’t mean leaving postpartum behind.


During the episode, Jessica and Sascha dive into the practical gaps facing new parents at work:

  • The lack of private space to pump or nurse

  • Inconsistent policies and unclear employer obligations

  • The ongoing tension between productivity and parental identity


Mamava’s solution is simple but powerful: give moms the space they need—literally. Their app also connects users with a map of lactation-friendly spaces, community reviews, and access options, empowering parents in real time.


Beyond Pods: A Platform for Change

While Mamava started with pods, it has expanded into a larger platform advocating for:

  • Lactation equity in the workplace

  • Inclusive design for parents of all identities

  • Policy advocacy around family support


Sascha shares how the company balances for-profit scale with mission-driven values, and what it’s been like to build something from the ground up while raising a family.


She also touches on:

  • Fundraising as a mom-led business

  • The power of customer feedback in innovation

  • Working with government partners and large institutions

  • The importance of staying rooted in community and purpose


Let’s Talk About Milk Access & Donation

In addition to breastfeeding support, the conversation also covers milk access and donation, highlighting the importance of inclusive feeding support. Whether you’re pumping, supplementing, sharing, or donating, Mamava’s work intersects with the broader movement of redefining postpartum care.


Sascha acknowledges that support must extend to all families, regardless of feeding method or birth story. “It’s not about doing it one way—it’s about having what you need to thrive.”


What We Learned from Sascha Mayer

This episode is full of powerful takeaways for parents, professionals, and founders alike:

  • If the systems don’t work for you, you can build new ones.

  • Solving for your own pain point can solve for thousands more.

  • Support doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does have to be intentional.


Mamava proves that innovation can come from within the parenting community. That when mothers design for mothers, they design better. And that sometimes, making a big difference starts with creating just enough room to breathe.


Tune In

Whether you’re a new mom navigating your return to work, a business leader looking to better support your employees, or someone dreaming up your own impact-driven venture—this episode is for you.


Listen in and learn how Mamava is making space—for parents, for feeding, and for change.


Resources Mentioned

Connect with Sascha Mayer





Mamava, Sascha Mayer, breastfeeding support, lactation pods, workplace equity for moms, pumping at work, parent-friendly workplaces, postpartum advocacy, mom-led startups, maternal design innovation, maternal health podcast, the mama making podcast


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