I don't have a preemie myself, but this day tugs at me now I'm a parent. Once you become a mother, you suddenly feel ache in your body for every other mum's story. Especially the ones who didn't get the soft landing they'd expected.
One minute you're pregnant... the next you're standing beside an incubator learning how to pump.
Most NICU mums still have to buy a pump...
This is a reality, and not one they may have planned for. Most of us hope to have a journey where we can exclusively breastfeed (I was one of them) but then things don't quite work out, especially when you're in NICU.
Yes, when you're there, you may get access to the big-hospital grade one, but when you're home? And overnight? Or you need do actually move around?
You have to buy your own. And even though Breastfriend is cheaper than it's counterparts for a similar looking product, that's still money coming directly out of mum's pocket for a product she hasn't had time to research during a brutal and emotional time.
That sits heavy with me. You just end up with what you're recommended initially, but there's no way of knowing whether that is best.
Our donation to Little Miracles
Back in August, when Breastfriend was 1.5 months old, we made our first donation to Little Miracles.
We gifted:
- Our viral breast pumps
- Silver nipple cups
- Plenty of storage bags
I did this but:
- We weren't big enough.
- We weren't established enough.
- We definitely weren't profitable.
My dream?
Outside of supporting the everyday mum in their pumping journey, I want to donate pumps regularly to NICU mums so they don't have to buy their own.
So they can go home with a pump without thinking about money.
So getting milk to their baby isn't another stress on top of a thousand others.
But, that can only happen if I make this business profitable.
Why today matters?
Prematurity affects 1/10 babies. That's everywhere, every mum's group, every antenatal class, every stress, every classroom, every office, every job site and eventually, every retirement home.
NICU mums are doing recovery, grief, pumping, and round-the-clock vigilance all at once. It's unbelievably tough, and it deserves awareness, care, actual practical support, not just hashtags.
To every NICU parent spending today beside a tiny tiny baby, virtual hug.
And to all the mums who'll walk this path in the future: I'm building this business with you in mind.
