For years doctors have encouraged new mothers to breastfeed, espousing the value for mother and child. Yet hospitals often send a mixed message when they hand new moms kits with formula.
Erik Maurer is on a mission to change that. In 2009, Maurer founded Portsmouth-based Cottonwood Kids, a private company that has since sold more than 600,000 breastfeeding support bags to 550 hospitals nationwide. Business has grown about 34 percent annually and the company, which has two other employees, is now in the black. Maurer hires an additional 15 part-time employees once a quarter to compile the bags. Hospitals pay $1.99 to $18.99 depending on whether they order basic Healthy Baby Bags or larger hospital-branded bags. Local customers include Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Exeter Hospital in Exeter.
The Healthy Baby Bags are insulated cooler bags that include coupons and samples of breastfeeding supplies-including nipple cream and milk storage bags-information about breastfeeding, and coupons for baby-related items. The company also sells prenatal breastfeeding support bags to doctor's offices.
Maurer previously ran a promotional gift company that provided branded products to ESPN and Sports Illustrated. The idea for the company was inspired by his wife, who had trouble nursing their first child. The breastfeeding support bag was in response to what the market needed and wanted, Maurer says.
Maurer aims to sell 1.5 million bags annually to compete with the formula distribution programs. His products were featured in Parenting and on the Huffington Post. The company website posts a blog for breastfeeding mothers. This started out as an idea that was also a passion, he says. It's really turned into a wonderful business. For more information, visit www.cottonwood-kids.com.
Current Issue - May 2024