NariCare, a Visakhapatnam-based start-up for breastfeeding support which was incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, is the brainchild of Gayathri Kanumuri.
Breastfeeding is a deeply personal journey that can be overwhelming due to the challenges it entails. Mothers often lack assistance during this vital period because of physical discomforts and societal pressures. Therefore, they value breastfeeding communities as not just guides but also a place to find emotional support and solidarity.
The exclusive nature of motherhood exposes some key aspects of mothering that are overlook despite their significance in fostering positive relationships between mother and her child. Sexual fulfillment within marriage and beyond is the only thing on many minds when it comes to women’s lives. All in all, women must pause with their sex life until they give birth since their babies will get contaminate from having contact with her vaginal area during intercourse.
But Gayathri Kanumuri has undergone some sort of hellish experience with breastfeeding. As with many new moms, she faced numerous difficulties such as failing to have proper latching or dealing with societal expectations. This made Gayathri realize that there was no accessible help for women who breastfeed in India.
Consequently, she brought up NariCare which provides online workshops as well as one-on-one meetings by experienced lactation consultants. It was support by NSRCEL (Nadathur S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning), IIM Bangalore under the Women Startup Programme since September 2022.
“Breastfeeding goes beyond feeding infants; in fact, it serves as the basis for early childhood health and development. Studies show that babies who are breastfed are less likely to have respiratory infections or allergies as well as other chronic conditions like diabetes or obesity later in life.” She adds “For mothers too nursing lowers chances of certain cancers while aiding postpartum recovery.”
Nevertheless these advantages notwithstanding breastfeeding poses serious problems making it difficult for women to continue breastfeeding or even start. “Physical issues such as latching problems or pain and emotional and social obstacles like a lack of family support, the stigma surrounding breastfeeding and misconceptions characterise these challenges. If unaided during these difficulties new mothers tend to develop feelings of alienation, distress, blame,” she includes.
NariCarehas one simple yet powerful mission: empowering women by providing them with information, resources and support they need in their breastfeeding journey. In addition to individual consultations to address specific concerns, this startup offers online workshops covering various topics –from an introduction on breastfeeding basics all the way through overcoming common challenges.
Within this community, we will also provide assistance in understanding progress made by participants in their breastfeeding journey towards reducing use of formula milk.
Since its inception, NariCare has reached out to about 400 women across India, helping them overcome their breastfeeding hurdles with assistance from its team of five certified lactation consultants who are based in India.
The work Gayathri is doing has not gone unnoticed since. NariCare was recently selected as one of the top 15 startups that have been incubated at NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore). Which is a significant validation emphasizing on what matters most about the cause of business’s venture.
In the future, NariCare will look to increase its footprint through hospital partnerships and develop an AI empowered application. Creating a network in which women can share their stories, seek guidance or encouragement making sure that it nurtures mothers countrywide may be Gayathri’s wish.
