We love hearing from our LittleOak families - there’s simply nothing more rewarding than learning about how LittleOak has made a meaningful difference in the lives of little ones and their parents. Today, we’re hearing from Lauren Perrett, founder of BubbaDesk, who turned to LittleOak after her son developed eczema.
By Lauren Perrett
As a mum, nothing is more challenging than seeing your baby in discomfort and feeling helpless. When my youngest son, Harvey, developed eczema after introducing a bottle of cow’s milk in the evenings, I was heartbroken. His skin was red, inflamed, and covered in patches, and I felt overwhelmed, desperate to find a solution.
Like many mums, I consulted several doctors, but the advice I received was inconsistent and didn’t address what I intuitively felt—there had to be a deeper cause. One doctor said it wasn’t eczema and simply recommended more moisturiser. Another advised continuing with the cow’s milk, despite Harvey’s worsening eczema. A third prescribed a steroid ointment but didn’t mention dietary factors or gut health. It felt like no one was looking for the root cause.
Frustrated, I reached out to my friend Shannon (@livingwithrosie), a nutritionist specialising in gut health and women’s wellness. Shannon suggested something none of the doctors had: Harvey’s eczema might be linked to his gut and triggered by the cow’s milk. She recommended switching to a goat milk formula, which is often easier on babies’ digestive systems, and slowly reintroducing dairy through other foods like cheese and yoghurt.
Within just a few days of switching Harvey to a goat milk formula, his eczema cleared up entirely. The relief was immense. But as any mum knows, finding the right formula for your baby isn’t just about what works; it’s about choosing something that aligns with your values. I wanted a formula free of unnecessary additives and oils, which led me to LittleOak—the only baby formula I found that replaces canola oil with sustainably sourced, cold-pressed flaxseed oil. Knowing I was giving Harvey a nourishing formula made with care gave me so much peace of mind.
This experience with Harvey has been a world apart from my early feeding journey with my older son, Charles. Breastfeeding Charles was incredibly challenging. He had a tongue tie that was misdiagnosed, leading to a poor latch and, eventually, mastitis for me. I had to rely on pumping and formula top-ups, but at the time, I didn’t have the knowledge or resources I do now.
With Harvey, things have been much smoother from the start. Breastfeeding clicked right away, and it felt easier in every way. By the time Harvey was 4 months old, I was ready to return to work part-time and began using BubbaDesk again. The beauty of BubbaDesk is that it allowed me to continue breastfeeding Harvey throughout the day while working in the coworking space, knowing he was right next door in the childcare area.
One of the things I value most about BubbaDesk is that it offers flexibility without the pressure to wean or adjust feeding routines. If Harvey needed me, I could step away from my work, breastfeed him, and return to my tasks without sacrificing our connection. I also had the freedom to pop in for cuddles whenever I wanted, which made the transition back to work so much easier.
For so many mums, there’s an unspoken pressure to change feeding routines when returning to work. But with BubbaDesk, there’s no need to rush into decisions you’re not ready for. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or doing a mix of both, BubbaDesk gives you the flexibility to continue what works for you and your baby. There’s no rigid schedule, no pressure to stop breastfeeding before you’re ready—just the freedom to maintain your rhythm on your terms.
Returning to work as a new mum can be emotional and overwhelming, and I’ve experienced it twice now with both of my boys. But BubbaDesk provided the support I needed to make that journey easier. It’s not just about being close to your baby while you work—it’s about having the freedom to do what’s best for your family. That’s what makes BubbaDesk special: it’s a space that supports parents in maintaining their connection with their children while staying productive and pursuing their careers.