From painful breastfeeding to a warming innovation

A difficult pregnancy followed by painful breastfeeding problems and the frustration of not being able to find the right support. For Alaa Al Sahli, the experience marked the beginning of a journey that would last several years, filled with setbacks and determination. The result was the Mamelle Breast Warmer, an innovation designed to make everyday life easier for women and offer others the support she herself had been missing.

When Alaa Al Sahli finally held her long-awaited daughter in her arms, she had already been through a difficult pregnancy involving eight months of bed rest and surgery. But problems arose almost as soon as she began breastfeeding.

“I was in so much pain that I called the child health clinic in tears. I had no idea what was happening. Eventually, I found out that I had a blocked milk duct,” Alaa explains.

The advice she received was to use a warm wheat bag or take a warm shower, but with a newborn baby, that was easier said than done. Alaa found an electric breast warmer, but felt that the heat actually made the pain worse. Her frustration sparked an idea: surely there had to be a better solution.

An idea that grew

Alaa bought materials and began experimenting with solutions of her own. When a friend encouraged her to turn the idea into a product, she was hesitant at first.

“I knew nothing about designing or developing products. But my friend said: just think how many other women you could help!”

Drawing on her background in behavioural science, Alaa began interviewing women about their breastfeeding experiences. The conversations confirmed that she was far from alone in facing these challenges.

“It's so easy to blame yourself as a new mother when breastfeeding doesn't work out. I want to help women who really want to breastfeed but feel that the pain is standing in their way.”

Three years of setbacks

The biggest challenge was finding a material that distributed heat evenly. The first prototypes used heating wires connected to a power bank, but the heat was concentrated around the wires, and the power bank was bulky and impractical.

Alaa also wanted to find European textile suppliers. Eventually, she connected with a manufacturer in Germany, and over the course of eight months, the product was refined based on feedback from testers.

After three years of development, the setbacks had almost made her give up.

“I had a clear vision, but when things didn't work out the way I'd imagined, it was incredibly tough. I thought about giving up, but decided to keep going.”

The result was Mamelle, a breast warmer developed to provide even, comfortable warmth.

More ways to use it

Alaa also wants to highlight the role of warmth in women's health. She believes that discussions about breastfeeding often focus on the baby's latch and feeding technique, while warmth and relaxation receive less attention.

Customers have also shared that they use Mamelle to help with menstrual cramps, back discomfort and pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

“I want women to understand that this product can be with them through different stages of life, from menstrual cramps to pregnancy and breastfeeding.”

Looking ahead

Alaa has been in contact with a research midwife about a potential study exploring whether warmth can help prevent blocked milk ducts. She also hopes to expand into more Nordic markets and is exploring ideas for new products, such as cycling shorts and period underwear featuring heating technology.

“Some days you feel like you're on top of the world, and other days you feel like you've hit rock bottom. But that's also part of the beauty of the journey. You have to dare to enjoy every part of it!”

Advice for other innovators

 Dare to try, even without experience! You don't have to be an expert. What matters most is your vision and ambition. You'll gain the knowledge along the way.
 Don't give up. Setbacks are part of the development process, and every attempt can bring you closer to your goal.
 Enjoy the journey! Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs. Learn to appreciate both the successes and the lessons along the way.