Michelle Kuteyi has always been passionate about breastfeeding, supporting families and friends, however it wasn’t until she had her first rainbow baby that she realised how difficult it can be. With unhelpful community-based support and being told that “breastfeeding is supposed to hurt”, Michelle endured the pain for 8 weeks until something changed. After the same experiences with her second rainbow baby, she decided enough was enough and started her training to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). This led to the birth of Baby Care Consultancy where Michelle now provides high-quality support and education to ensure that no-one has to go through what she endured.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
After delivering, I struggled with colostrum harvesting and latching. A midwife, very kindly but painfully, helped me to get 2 mls out. The following day, the doctor told me that I had not been feeding my child and that she was weeing crystals. I was instructed to give formula and felt like an awful mum and such a failure. I continued giving formula and kept trying to breastfeed but it was excruciating. Any mum who has experienced a shallow latch will know what I mean. It’s like your baby’s mouth is full of broken glass and needles every time a feed approaches. I was filled with tension and was dreading every second of the feed. The lack of quality community support I received when I struggled with breastfeeding my daughter was concerning. I was told on multiple occasions that my nipples were too sensitive and breastfeeding is supposed to hurt, so I endured the pain.
The wide range of unhelpful videos online compounded my feelings of failure. After carrying my daughters through pregnancy, why couldn’t I feed them? I felt like my body was failing me and I was failing them. Once we had finally figured it out after 8 weeks, I spoke to other mums and they had also felt the same way.
Then rainbow baby 2 came and she was tiny, the same length as 3 toilet rolls (I have the picture to prove it lol). This was in a COVID world so there was no support on the postnatal ward. Within 30 minutes of birth, the recovery nurse was feeding her formula, the midwives were overstretched and unable to help with latching and the community-based care was non-existent. I remembered that breastfeeding is supposed to hurt and so endured the pain until she grew. Over time, it stopped hurting and she fed for 3 years.
This lack of support made me determined to make a change. Surely there must be an easier, less excruciating way to breastfeed. My friend directed me to train as a lactation consultant and once I had qualified as an IBCLC, Baby Care Consultancy was born.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I regularly had stalls at community-based health events and offered assistance and support. The reception was immense, the stories painfully (pun intended) similar, and the relief once they were able to correctly latch was tangible. I attended parent and child events and continued to offer support; I networked with local services, spoke to friends, family and colleagues and introduced my services. I eventually launched in August 2024 and my first two clients were post tongue tie release and had difficulty latching. One of the babies had never latched and just by changing the feeding position, they had their longest feed in 3 months. The relief and boost in confidence this gave to the mum was so moving, I knew that I had made the right decision and began advertising my services.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I would say it’s knowing that I’m playing my part in increasing the local breastfeeding rates, especially in the Black and Asian communities who historically have lower breastfeeding rates and health inequities in general. Being able to empower and encourage these mothers to reach their breastfeeding goals is so rewarding. I was even nominated and received an award recognising this impact.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
It’s difficult if I’m being honest. When you are office-based/hospital-based, it’s easier to leave the work at work, but when you are home-based, it’s more difficult to switch off. My daughters are very pro breastfeeding and regularly cameo in my videos (uninvited lol). I’m getting better and have set times and days where I focus on my family. My husband is also very supportive. Every so often, things become unbalanced, but it’s a work in progress.
