Meke Baby

Only 15-20 per cent of Australian women are still exclusively breastfeeding by the time their baby reaches five months.¹ Refer to footnotesIt’s a startling drop from the 96 per cent who begin their breastfeeding journey.

For first-time mum Elysia Krstevski, this statistic became personal during the COVID-19 lockdown when she faced the unexpected challenges of new motherhood.

While grocery shopping with her firstborn, Elysia – who was grappling with mastitis – ran out of milk for the day. With cafes closed and feeding rooms unavailable, she had a crying baby and no way to warm milk. That night, Elysia searched for solutions and discovered a glaring gap in the market: no portable, safe device existed for heating breast milk or formula on the go.

Determined to address this issue, Elysia founded Meke Baby – a brand dedicated to providing innovative feeding solutions for parents. The business’ flagship product, a portable milk warmer, uses a temperature control processor to heat milk slowly and safely, retaining heat for up to nine hours.

In just 18 months, Meke Baby has sold nearly 10,000 units, receiving rave reviews from parents who appreciate the product’s simplicity and convenience.

“I wasn’t the only one struggling to feed my baby on the go,” Elysia said. “I wanted to create something that made life easier for parents while keeping their babies safe.”

Building on this success, Elysia developed an expanded product range. Her vision is clear: each product must solve a real problem and set new standards in innovation.

Meke Baby’s impact has extended internationally, with plans to enter the UK market after organic traction and award recognition overseas.

Reflecting on her journey, Elysia credits the Telstra Best of Business Awards as a highlight.

The Telstra Best of Business Awards have been one of the best experiences in my business journey. From the way it was run to the incredible communication and networking opportunities, it’s been an invaluable learning experience. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of such an inspiring cohort.

With 300,000 babies born annually in Australia, Elysia believes Meke Baby is only at the start of its journey.

Meke Baby was recognised with the Telstra Best of Business Victorian Embracing Innovation Award. 

Footnote

1. Australian Breastfeeding Association