Between balancing the needs of a newborn, struggling to complete the household chores and dealing with the guilt of preparing to return to work, new mums have a lot to deal with. Which is why working out where to warm up bubba’s milk on the road should not be one of them. It was a realisation that led Melbourne-based entrepreneur and mother of two, Elysia Krstevski, to carve out a niche in the baby product industry with her revolutionary creation – portable milk warmer, Meke Baby.
Elysia’s journey to inventing Meke Baby began during the challenging days of the Covid-19 lockdowns. As a first-time mother experiencing the hardships of breastfeeding and pumping, she encountered a critical moment strolling the supermarket with her daughter, Armani.
“We were grocery shopping and I realised I had no way to heat up my daughter’s milk and I
couldn’t breastfeed because of the pain,” Elysia said.
“Parents’ rooms and cafes were closed, so I didn’t have access to a microwave. My daughter
Armani was screaming, it was pouring rain, so I didn’t want to run back to the car… the
whole thing was a disaster. I remember thinking to myself, I never want to be in this position
again.”
Embodying the adage that necessity is the mother of invention, this desperate situation sparked a resolve to find a solution.
A late-night Google search revealed a gap in the market for a portable milk warmer that could heat breastmilk, formula, or cow’s milk. Anywhere, anytime. Determined to fill this void, Elysia embarked on the journey to develop Meke Baby, which officially launched in April 2023. Major retailers like Baby Bunting and The Memo quickly picked up the product due to its immediate success. As well as distributors in international markets such as Singapore and New Zealand.
Among Meke Baby’s key features is its innovative temperature control processor. Which ensures liquids are heated slowly and accurately to preserve nutrients and antibodies in breast milk. The device also operates on a USB Type C charge with a battery life that lasts all day. Therefore eliminating the need for adapters or electricity while on the move. Its ability to retain heat for up to nine hours further enhances its practicality for busy parents.
Meke Baby quickly became decorated with accolades. Including Gold at the AusMumpreneur Product Innovation Award 2023 and Gold at the SHE com Baby Travel Award 2023. It also received recognition at international forums like the Project Baby Awards (UK) and the Positive Birth Company Awards 2024 (UK), where it secured Silver and Runner Up positions respectively.
Most recently, Elysia won the Commbank Young Hero of the Year Award for Most Innovative Tech Product. A acknowledgement that solidifed her position as a trailblazer in the baby products industry.
Looking ahead, Elysia is focused on expanding Meke Baby’s reach to the UK in 2024 and diversifying her product line. Beyond business success, Elysia uses her platform to advocate for women’s issues through her podcast, A Double Life, which tackles taboo topics in parenthood.
“For me, Meke Baby is more than just a product. It’s a brand that aims to give women the freedom and confidence they need to juggle all the responsibilities and challenges that come with motherhood,” she explains.