Born from sleepless nights, frozen milk mishaps, and a collective “There has to be a better way”, The Milk Fairy is a proudly family-run, mama-powered movement. Co-founded by Christine (the OG mama), her daughter Jessica (milk alchemist in training), and Jessica’s bestie Tiana (professional problem solver), they are on a mission to make mum life a whole lot easier. Inspired by freeze-drying services overseas and fuelled by a deep desire to support other families, they launched The Milk Fairy – Australia’s first freeze-dried breast milk service. More than a convenience, it’s a revolutionary solution empowering mothers to preserve the nutritional power of their milk for years to come.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Our own struggles with travelling while managing frozen breast milk led us to discover similar services overseas that freeze-dry breast milk for mothers. Realising no one was offering this in Australia ignited a spark of passion within us. We saw an incredible opportunity to bring this innovative solution here, becoming the first in the country to provide this service and supporting families to continue nourishing their little ones, even when logistics are challenging.
Over time, we’ve witnessed just how transformative this service is. It’s a game-changer for overnight stays at Nanna’s or day care trips, offering unmatched convenience. Beyond that, the ability to preserve breast milk for years holds immense value. There’s no greater gift for your future toddler than the ability to extend the benefits of breast milk’s nutrition well into their early years.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Given the specialised nature of our service, launching The Milk Fairy required over two and a half years of meticulous preparation. From the very start, we knew a ‘home start-up’ approach wasn’t an option. Instead, we focused on building a state-of-the-art facility and implementing strict protocols to meet and exceed the guidelines set by various regulatory bodies.
Establishing this service involved countless conversations and collaboration with industry leaders, food scientists, biologists and doctors. Each expert contributed invaluable insights that shaped our processes, ensuring we deliver our service in the absolute safest and most reliable way possible. This rigorous approach reflects our unwavering commitment to providing families with a solution they can trust.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Our biggest breakthrough came when we truly grasped the additional uses and long-term benefits of freeze-dried breast milk. It wasn’t just about convenience; it became clear that this service could revolutionise how mums preserve and utilise breast milk. The idea of extending its nutrition for years to come transformed our perspective – it’s not just a product; it’s a movement for a healthier future.
Imagine this: if a mum pumps just once a day for a year, that’s 365 sachets of breast milk. That’s 365 doses of incredible goodness to sprinkle over food or mix into meals whenever her little one needs a boost. Breast milk is unparalleled in its healing properties, with emerging studies even suggesting it could aid in fighting diseases like cancer.
We realised our work is so much bigger than simply making life easier for mums – we’re providing families with the priceless gift of long-term health and wellness. Knowing the profound impact this service can have is the greatest motivation we could ever have.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Right now, things are incredibly challenging. We never anticipated just how personally involved we would need to be for such an extended period. With very young children, it’s tough balancing everything – we rely on a shared nanny for two days a working week and grandparents for another two, leaving us with just one day to truly soak up the joy and love of being with our little miracles. We know this time with our little ones is fleeting, and we cherish every moment. At the same time, we’ve poured so much effort and dedication into building our business that we’re not ready to step back or delegate the crucial tasks just yet. When the time comes for us to take a step back, the celebration will be monumental.
