Breastfeeding is one of the most foundational human experiences. Not only is it how most mothers have nourished their children since the beginning of time, it also creates the first bond with another human that most newborns experience.
Despite being such a core part of human life, most women struggle to breastfeed successfully. In fact, a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that over 70% of women encounter breastfeeding difficulties.
I was one of those women.
Soon after my first child was born in 2015, I found that I was among the 50% of women who have a low milk supply. For the first few days of feeding him, I did not realize that my son was not getting enough milk. When I took him for his first checkup and learned that he was losing weight, I was heartbroken at the thought of accidentally starving my baby.
My doctor brought in a lactation consultant, who recommended that I try using a supplementer to give my baby formula. She provided me with my first supplementer, suggesting that it would not only help my newborn get the nutrition he needed but also stimulate my breast to encourage more milk production.
Yet after trying the supplementer and others that were on the market, I found myself still struggling to successfully nurse. I was frustrated that there were no options on the market that worked well for women like me.
I decided to change that. I was already pursuing my master’s degree at the David Eccles School of Business, and I quickly switched my focus to entrepreneurship in order to learn all that I could about starting a business.
At the same time as I was taking classes, I was working with a lactation consultant and surveying mothers to learn what they wanted in a better breastfeeding aid. I was also working with engineers on developing and refining a workable prototype for the supplementer I envisioned. My professors at the University and the advisors and mentors at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute were instrumental in helping me find and reach out to experts who helped me on my journey.
After nine years of bootstrapping product development and working through the hurdles of manufacturing step-by-step, Nipa Ye finally launched its website and began taking orders for our At-Breast Supplementer in March 2025. It was a long process, but so many of the lessons and examples I learned of during my time at Lassonde and the U helped me stay dedicated to my vision and weather the ups-and-downs of building a company.
Nipa Ye At-Breast Supplementer
In the end, after years of perseverance and the small victories, frustration, joys and sacrifices that every entrepreneur will recognize, Nipa Ye has brought to market a better At-Breast Supplementer, the fruition of the goal I set for myself all those years ago.
The Nipa Ye At-Breast Supplementer was made to support and encourage long-term breastfeeding through the promotion of natural milk production.
Benefits of our Supplementer:
- Increases milk production through optimal breast stimulation.
- Prevents the nipple confusion that can occur with bottle feeding.
- Promotes bonding through the contact and closeness of feeding at the breast.
- Supports mothers with inverted or flat nipples, common challenges that are often ignored.
- Features an innovative design that aligns the feeding tube seamlessly with the nipple, creating comfortable feeding for both baby and mother.
- Is made with medical-grade silicone, designed to be soft, slim, and discrete, for comfortable feeding anywhere.
Nipa Ye is currently selling our At-Breast Supplementer direct to consumers through our website. We are also creating partnerships with lactation consultants, doctors, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to make Nipa Ye products available directly to mothers at the time of birth. Likewise, to fulfill our mission of supporting all mothers, we are partnering with nonprofits to provide Supplementers to those in need.
As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than assuring that every child can be well fed and cared for.
I am so proud of the Nipa Ye Supplementer. It is the aid that I wish had been available to me and my son when he was born. I am happy that I can provide this product to other mothers, and it is my fervent hope that their breastfeeding journeys are easier with the help of my company and our products.
The work I do to realize Nipa Ye’s mission is dedicated to every mother and child out there, and to my own children, who inspire me every day to keep building this company so that every child can be nourished, and every mother supported.
Learn more about Nipa Ye at nipaye.com.
