There’s something deeply full-circle about being asked to share your story with the students who walk the same hallways you once did. Earlier this year, I had the honor of being featured by The Campanile — the student-run news publication of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, PA, my former high school — in an article about the journey from feeding struggles to founding Bottimals.
A talented student journalist reached out wanting to understand how a problem so many families quietly face — bottle refusal — could spark an entirely new product category. What followed was one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had about this journey.
It Started With a Haircut I Never Finished
I tell the Bottimals origin story often, but it never gets old — because it captures exactly how parenthood can catch you completely off guard. When my son Blake was a baby, I was exclusively breastfeeding and decided to try my very first postpartum haircut. Just a small thing for myself. A few hours to feel human again in the midst of those bleary-eyed postpartum days.
I was sitting in the salon chair — hair soaking wet — when my husband called. I could hear Blake screaming in the background. He said, “You need to come home. He won’t take the bottle.” I left the salon mid-cut.
What started as one stressful afternoon turned into weeks of trying everything — different bottles, different nipple flows, different timing, different caregivers. Nothing worked. And the more I talked to other moms, the more I realized this wasn’t just our family’s problem. Bottle refusal is incredibly common among breastfed babies, and it affects everything: a mom’s ability to return to work, a mom’s mental health, and a baby’s nutrition during critical early months.
Science Led the Way
With a background in clinical trial research and a biology degree from Penn State’s Eberly College of Science, I’m wired to look for evidence. So I dug into the research. What I found was fascinating: studies show that a mother’s scent can stimulate the feeding reflex in infants, reduce stress, and promote secure attachment. Babies are deeply comforted by the smell of their mom.
So I did something simple and a little wild: I wrapped one of my worn shirts around the bottle. Blake drank from it.
That moment — equal parts relief and revelation — became the foundation for the Bottimals bottle-lovey®: a soft, washable stuffed animal that wraps around a baby bottle and holds a removable heart-shaped pad that mom wears against her skin to absorb her natural scent. The result is a feeding experience that feels familiar, comforting, and connected — no matter who’s holding the bottle.
What Is the Bottimals bottle-lovey?
The bottle-lovey is a patent-pending, scent-based feeding accessory designed to help breastfed babies accept a bottle. The soft elastic band fits over most standard baby bottles. The removable heart pad is worn by mom to absorb her natural scent, then tucked into the lovey — so baby feels her presence, even when she’s away. Available at bottimals.com and in 15+ local retailers.
From a Facebook Beta Group to Real Shelves
I didn’t launch Bottimals overnight. There were months of journaling problems, sketching ideas, working with a seamstress on early prototypes, and running a beta test through a Facebook mom group in fall 2024. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive — and hearing from moms who finally had a solution they could trust gave me the confidence to take the next step.
I entered the LionCage Pitch Competition at Penn State’s Great Valley LaunchBox and won first place in the alumni category. That win opened doors to mentors, a patent attorney, and an incredible community of fellow entrepreneurs. Bottimals officially launched in June 2024, and the response has been incredible.
Going Back to The Mount
Being interviewed by a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy was one of those moments that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. The Mount shaped so much of who I am — the curiosity, the drive, the belief that women can lead and build and create. To sit in the position of the person being asked the questions, rather than the student asking them, felt like an enormous gift.
What struck me most was the energy of the student interviewing me. Her questions were sharp and thoughtful. She wanted to understand not just the product, but the process — the failures, the pivots, the moments of doubt. That’s the kind of education that turns students into founders.
If there’s one thing I hope the students at The Mount take from my story, it’s this: the problems you live through as a parent, a daughter, a person navigating the messy middle of life — those are the seeds of the most meaningful ideas. You don’t need a boardroom to start. You need a real problem, the courage to dig into it, and the willingness to ask for help.
Disclaimer: Bottimals™ products are designed to provide comfort and familiarity during feeding transitions and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual results may vary — every baby is different, and Bottimals aims to offer an added layer of comfort during the breast-to-bottle transition. Always consult your pediatrician, a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), or another qualified healthcare professional regarding any concerns about your baby’s feeding, nutrition, or health. The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.