Postpartum University® Podcast

Making Postpartum Beautiful | Courtney Boylan EP 237

• Maranda Bower, Postpartum Nutrition Specialist

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This episode rips into the postpartum care crisis and why the current system fails new mothers. Maranda hosts Courtney Boylan, founder of Le Lolo, a brand dedicated to transforming sterile, clinical postpartum essentials into beautiful, functional, and empowering tools. Courtney shares her personal struggle with postpartum mental health and the medical-grade narrative that makes women feel "broken." We discuss the deep need for high-quality postpartum accessories and why shifting the focus to the mother's needs first is the only path to true postnatal healing and long-term maternal wellness. This is a bold call for a cultural shift in how we support and value the new mother.

Check out this episode on the blog HERE: https://postpartumu.com/podcast/making-postpartum-beautiful-courtney-boylan-ep-237/

Key time stamps: 

  •  00:15: Addressing the Postpartum Care Crisis and need for Holistic Solutions. 
  • 01:33: Courtney Boylan shares her postpartum mental health struggles and the market gap. 
  • 02:37: The birth of Le Lolo: Transforming sterile postpartum essentials into beautiful tools. 
  • 04:29: Le Lolo's mission: Products as a physical reminder of a mother's worth and strength. 
  • 08:01: The crucial shift: Prioritizing the mother’s needs first for true postnatal recovery. 
  • 09:12: The taboo truth: Mother's self-care prevents depletion and resentment. 
  • 13:37: Normalizing postpartum products on a baby registry to end shame. 
  • 18:18: Why Postpartum Providers must advocate for and educate on essential products. 

Connect with Courtney 

Courtney Boylan is the founder of Le Lolo, a brand dedicated to making postpartum essentials beautiful, functional, and empowering for new moms. Inspired by her own experience as a mom of three, she created Le Lolo to fill a gap in the market—offering stylish, high-quality accessories that remind new moms of their strength, beauty, and worth. With 16 new breastfeeding accessories that just launched, Le Lolo is on a mission to revolutionize and beautify the postpartum market. At its core, the brand is a reminder that self-care and self-love are essential during postpartum—because no one is more deserving of beautiful accessories than a new mom.

Website | IG 

NEXT STEPS:

SPEAKER_01:

The postpartum care system is failing, leaving countless mothers struggling with depression, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions. I'm Miranda Bauer, and I've helped thousands of providers use holistic care practices to heal their clients at the root. Subscribe now and join us in addressing what modern medicine overlooks so that you can give your clients real lasting solutions for lifelong well-being. Hey, hey everyone, welcome to the podcast. Today I have Courtney Boylan, who is the founder of Le Lolo, the cutest, most amazing brand dedicated to making postpartum essentials beautiful, functional, and empowering for new moms. And it's inspired by her own experience as a mom of three. She actually created Ley Lolo to fill the gap in the market, offering the stylish, high-quality accessories that remind new moms of their strength, their beauty, and their worth. Courtney, I am so, so glad that you are here. Can you tell us a little bit about your personal postpartum experiences that kind of led you to recognize the gaps and how we support mothers during this vulnerable time?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, absolutely. Well, first of all, thank you, Miranda, so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Um, oh my goodness, postpartum. Wow. I so like you said, I'm a mom of three. I'm a stepmom to a 10-year-old, and then I have a six-year-old and a four-year-old. And I thought I knew what I was getting into when I had my first child, but I don't really think any mom really understands the feelings that you have post when you go through postpartum until you actually are in it. And I just really struggled with um my mental health, my body, getting used to the way I was thinking, the way I was feeling, the way my new body looked. And it was just a really, really tough time for me. And um, I didn't have the idea of Leila at first. It kind of just came to me. It really started with my nipple shield. I used a nipple shield to breastfeed my son. I would always lose it. It was clear. I would lose it under the sheets in the couch, under the bed. I could never find the thing. I searched for a colored one. I couldn't find one. And I said, you know what? I can't be the only one losing my nipple shield. I'm going to make my own. And I had my son, then I had my daughter two years later. I still hadn't made the nipple shield. I used a nipple shield again. Couldn't find that one either. And my husband was like, you should just do it. Like you should make it. And so I was like, you know what? You're right. I should. So I went for it. I started designing it. And that was the point where I was like, wait a second. If I'm gonna redesign a nipple shield, I should probably make it pretty at the same time. Let me shape it like a flower. Let me make it a really pretty color. If there's anyone who deserves something pretty during the postpartum phase, it's a new mom. And that's when the idea kind of sparked for me. It was like, wait, not just the nipple shield, but every single product we use postpartum is so stale and clinical and sterile and it makes you feel like a patient. And if there's anyone who's more most deserving of beautiful accessories, it's a new mom.

SPEAKER_01:

It feels like such a, you know, just a very simple thing. Like you are losing this clear, you know, nipple shield, which is like something that so many women use. And then you have this like huge product line come out of like the most beautiful products, but also something that's so necessary for so many women. I feel like the postpartum market, it's like historically dominated by, you know, this medical grade products, very patriarchal, right? They scream, you're broken, you need fixing. And what does that do for mothers? Like I'm I'm very curious. Like, how does that change the narrative around postpartum products? And how are you changing the narrative by making these beautiful products? Was that something that you even thought of, like when you were creating this?

SPEAKER_00:

No, it wasn't. And I honestly think it's just something that we've lived with. Like no one's ever thought of it, right? You go to the doctor, you get an ugly bandage, you have these products, and they're just historically not cute. They're not pretty because they're meant for medical reasons, right? And I just, I don't even know like how this idea sparked in me, but now it's become more of a mission for me. It started with products and making something that I knew that a mom could use. And now it's become a mission to where I know that through these products, my goal is to make sure that every mother is reminded of her beauty, her worth, her strength. I hope that when she uses our accessories, that they're a physical reminder for her that she is this person and that it might be tough right now. And there's gonna be long nights and long days, and you're gonna feel like you're not gonna get through this. But I hope that this one little product that she can look at is just a reminder for her that this is just a small period in time and that she's strong and that she will get through this tough time.

SPEAKER_01:

I don't know if you noticed, but I when I went to your website and I was like looking at all of the stuff, I think there's like this connection between what you're designing and almost like nature. And, you know, you've got the nipple shield flowers and some other things that are just very nature-based, which is such a beautiful reminder of who we are and where we've come from. And I I love that aspect about it and like bringing us back to our roots and away from, you know, I don't like to look at it as like this materialistic thing because I think it's very easy to go there. And we do live in a world that is extremely materialistic, especially here in the United States. But I didn't like catch that vibe from you when we were looking at your stuff and your brand and what you were creating. It was, it was such a different uh vibe almost of like, no, we're we're she's like really reconnecting women back to her roots and really supporting women and not just like feeling beautiful in her body, but like at such a deeper, more profound level. Does that make sense?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I mean, thank you. That means so much and is really what we're going for. You know, I wanted to make sure that I always had an option for um a light, light skin and dark skin. You can either choose the pink or the moth based on the color you like most, or you can choose it based on the color of your skin. And I want everyone to feel a connection to our products and feel like they are included and that we do have an inclusive line. The most important thing for me is that they're not just pretty, they have to be functional also. They have to work first and then they can we can add the pretty part into it. And, you know, we don't just have pretty products that you use for breastfeeding. We also have a lot of beautiful accessories that bring every mother back to, you know, who she is as a person. One of my favorites is our journal that has prompts that a mom can, you know, write how she's feeling. It's also half baby tracker, so she can track the baby. It's just, I tried to make sure that every product under line was very intentional and really helped every mother connect with who she is, not as a mom, but as a human being.

SPEAKER_01:

You've mentioned this before. Like when you sent over our your initial pitch, you were talking about putting the mother's needs first, then the baby's, which kind of goes against so much cultural messaging in our in our world right now. Like why is that so crucial for actual recovery? Not just comfort, but like real true recovery.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Historically, we've always put the baby first, you know? And I I'm victim to it too. I reach out to my friend, how's the baby? Like, how's the baby doing? Is the baby sleeping? But really, who we should be focused on is the mom. How are you doing? How are you feeling? How are you managing? Because they're the one who has to, as a mother, you immediately take on this mama bear mentality when you become a mother. And it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and feel very overwhelmed. And if we put the focus back on mom and making sure that the mother is okay, if the mother's okay, the baby has a greater, you know, 100% greater chance of being okay as well.

SPEAKER_01:

You know, I this is one of my favorite like conversations because I feel like sometimes we have to step into the taboo. And this is one of those kind of conversations in in terms of like uh taking care of ourselves versus taking care of our baby and understanding that when we when we meet our own needs, then we simultaneously meet the needs of our baby, um, that and beyond. And right. And I think our world is finally starting to see when we take care of ourselves as women, as mothers, when we're getting the nutrients that we need, when we are getting the sleep that we need, when we're putting ourselves first in that way, then then our babies are going to be their needs are going to be met even more so. And we're gonna show up ready to meet those needs rather than feeling uh depleted and exhausted and start resenting, right? How many of us as moms, I am I'm a mom of four? Like there are times where I've like resented my kids. Why are you waking me up at night? Why are you doing this, right? We're more likely to blow up as a mom, right? When you're not getting your needs met. But when you do have your needs met, you are so much better at meeting their needs. And I think that is a conversation that we need to have and like really switching this role and bringing back strong, healthy moms that are getting their needs met. Uh, and and let's face it, it's a lot of needs, right? And you're filling that gap for so many of women. Like this is just a small piece of it, but it's a it's a big piece. And when we all come together with what we have as these visions, like you, you had this vision, you knew something needed to change, you had this experience, and now you're going to do something about it. Like, imagine if all mothers did that and what our world is going to look like for our children and their children, because we're literally changing the entire way we see postpartum and what it means to be a mother. It's just like that's mind-blowing to me.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, you you gave me goosebumps. I feel very lucky. I have two daughters, and I think you're right. We are headed in the right direction and the focus is being put back on mom. And that's so important because you're right. If a mom is taking care of herself and putting herself first and her needs first, she's able to put everyone else around her that she takes care of, give them a little bit more of who she is. And by the time my daughters are mothers, I, you know, think will be even further along. So it just, you know, it makes my heart warm that their future is, you know, as a mother will be, will be better than than we leave it.

SPEAKER_01:

Do you do you find that the way that you provide care for your friends or like the people in your life who are having babies, has that has that shifted over the last few years of you doing this? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I'm very cognizant of making sure that, you know, my focus is on them and what can I do for them. Hey, I'm headed to the grocery store. Can I pick something up for you? Um, how are you feeling today? Like, can I come over and hold the baby? It's not necessarily about seeing the baby anymore. It's how I can help the mom and making her job easier.

SPEAKER_01:

I feel the same way. Like the way that I had and the way that I care for the people in my life has dramatically changed. And it's not just about babies, but it's like just in general, like when somebody's sick or like I'm delivering, you know, soup at your doorstep or whatever the case may be, right? Like the way I show up, which I will tell you is like not always the. I had to put myself first before I could be in a place to be able to do that. Again, like taking care of yourself. Like when you take care of yourself, you can take care of your children, but also you can take care of your village, you can take care of your community and the people around you. And I think that's such a beautiful thing. But I I noticed that shift too, right? It's like, I don't ask about your baby as much anymore. I will like spoil you, rotten as a mom first. Yeah. And then we'll get to that baby, right? If I show up to a baby shower, like uh people love to invite me to their baby showers, right? And they're like, Randy, you have to come because I know I'm gonna get spoiled in all of the things for mom. Yeah. And everybody else has all the baby stuff, right? And we'll get kids and like outfits and tons of all of that necessary, right? We're not saying it's not necessary, but I'll be the only one to show up with postpartum herbs and you know, uh sit-bath blends and like all of the things.

SPEAKER_00:

And so, yeah, it's a bit I I can't wait to live in a world where a mom is proud to put postpartum products on her baby registry. I think right now a lot of a lot of women might feel awkward, especially as a first-time mom, of putting something that is a product that cares for herself on her postpartum or on her baby shower list. And, you know, I that's another piece of Le Lolo. These are pretty products. You I was always embarrassed to have, you know, my disposable nursing pads out on the counter or, you know, my nipple shield and, you know, the guys coming over my the boomers, you know, who are kind of stuck in, stuck in their ways. The grandpas are like, oh, like what is that? And get all awkward around around those products. But I want a mom to be able to throw her lactation massager or her disposable nursing pad that's shaped as a flower on the counter and not have to care about cleaning it up because it's beautiful.

SPEAKER_01:

That is so, so true and so accurate. Like, you know, yes, this generation before us of like feeling awkward and like not aware of it, but I think that also speaks to how close we are into like making this shift, you know, and how how funny it is that we will make a baby registry for our babies, but we won't like take care of ourselves. And how many first-time moms don't even know that those things were necessary? I know as a first-time mom. I didn't even have a nursing bra. I would, I literally, I have to tell you this story. I was three days postpartum, and I had had this idea. This was after my first, that my my boobs were gonna grow. I knew that part. And so I'm not gonna go to get a bra because I don't know what this is gonna be. And so I'll wait until I'm early postpartum to go bra shopping. No, that that did not work out. I remember bawling my eyes out and calling Nordstrom, who is like the only place in my area that sold nursing bras, and saying, I need these bras. And they were like, no problem. This gal on the phone was like, I'm gonna deliver them to you because I I was like crying because I was like, I need them overnight shipped. And in Alaska, that doesn't happen. You don't get like overnight shipment. And she was like, No, girl, I'm just gonna bring them to your door. So an employee from Northstrom's never forgot this experience, picked out my uh my bras based on my my measurements that I had given her over the phone and hand delivered in a snowstorm. I'm in Alaska, in a snowstorm, delivered these to my front door. I'm sobbing. I'm sobbing as I am opening the door. I am so grateful for you. Thank you. You know, and they fit and they were absolutely perfect. And it was like a whole different experience just to have bras. I never did that. Like I didn't know, right? I certainly didn't have nibble shields. I certainly didn't like I had none of that stuff in my friend. I didn't, oh what a crazy experience, right? And so to have those things in your pocket, right? In the very beginning, would be such a game changer for so many women.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, totally. I'm the same way. I would have not had any of that. My sister has a son that she breastfed before I had my first child. And she's the one who got me all my products. I didn't have anything on my on my registry. She was just like, You're gonna need this stuff. So I'm gonna buy it for you. This is what I'm gonna get you. And I was like, okay, perfect. Just give me everything that you used. And my thing was like, as a first-time mom, especially, you don't even know what you need. You can do all this research around what you need for breastfeeding. And there's a million different things that you feel like you need. So I wanted to create a gift set that literally has anything that you could possibly need in one place. You can buy this set and it has everything that you can need. You don't have to go from, you know, site to site to company to company to get different things that you need. It's all in one place. And I just wanted to make it easier, especially for those first-time moms. I think I'm really like harnessing how I felt as a first-time mom, learning how to breastfeed and going through postpartum for the first time. It's tough. And you just don't realize those emotions. And breastfeeding can be hard. It's easy for some, it's not for others. And there's a lot of there's a lot of learning within those first couple of weeks of getting used to your body and your feeding and your baby that you have to do. And I don't, I just don't want a mom to have to worry about not having the products that she needs on hand and just have it all in one place.

SPEAKER_01:

You you brought up like I just had this idea of like, why isn't that the case? Like, why do we not know? I mean, obviously, postpartum is kind of like the secret club. And we don't talk about it until we're already in the throws and we're like, oh yeah, we all needed that. But what if every provider, doula, all of these people had these products sitting there in the office or in the I used to teach with them, childbirth education was like a really great place, right? But to have that in your doctor's office, saying, like, these are the things that you need to be aware of, that these things exist and you're likely going to need them when you're you're postpartum. And like, here's how you can get those. Like, what would that do for people who've not maybe been exposed to this kind of stuff, as especially as a first-time mom, right?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, it would be a game changer, a game changer. I've talked to so many women who tell me that a nipple shield literally changed their life. Like they could not breastfeed and continue to breastfeed without a nipple shield. And I'm in the same position. A lot of people use a nipple shield for inverted nipples or, you know, a baby who has a tongue tie who is having a tough time latching. For me, I use a nipple shield just while my nipples adjusted to the pain of feeding around the clock because they were just so sore. And the nipple shield, the nipple shield helped me so much with just that getting through those first couple of weeks while my nipples grew stronger from feeding. And I don't know that I would have survived without my nipple shield. But a lot of women go into breastfeeding without having that on hand. And they have to wait two days to get it on Amazon. They're not really sold in grocery stores or Targets anywhere. Um, they might have one size at Target. I've looked, I go in the aisle like every time I'm there.

SPEAKER_01:

I know it's a total thing. My kids are like, Mom, why are you going down here? And I was like, I just want to see what's on the market.

SPEAKER_00:

Right. Totally. I love it. It's my favorite. It's my favorite aisle to go into. My kids are like, why are we here again? I'm like, oh, you're just looking. But yeah, it's just, you know, you're right. Informing the women who are about to go through this and having those products and understanding what they need so that they're ready and educated is so important and what we have to focus on.

SPEAKER_01:

This has been such a fun conversation. Thank you so much for all of the work that you are doing. Where can people find you and all of the things that you are offering in the world?

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you, Miranda. Um, we are at our website is www.wearelaylolo.com. That's W-E-A-R-E L E L O L O. We're also most active on Instagram at wearelailolo. And um, we would love to be friends. We're also going to offer um your community a 20% discount off of our website. Use code PPU at checkout and continue to spread beautiful, worthy, strong messages for every mom.

SPEAKER_01:

This is so generous. Thank you so, so much from the bottom of my heart. This is amazing. And uh, I hope everybody goes and takes a look at your stuff. I mean, at least to have things on hand, like especially all of the providers who are listening into this. I feel like that is such a necessity. Like if you are working directly with moms to let them know these things exist, uh, have a have a table like out of saying, like, here's what a nipple shield is, here's all of the things. And uh, this is what it can do for you, right? And this is this is how we use those things and how it can help you in your journey and reaching your goals, whatever those goals may be. So, anyway, I'm rambling. I love it. Thank you so, so much. This has been amazing.

SPEAKER_00:

Thanks, Miranda. You too. You're you are amazing. Thank you for spreading such love and kindness to all the moms. Your work is so important and we just need more of it. So thank you.

SPEAKER_01:

Thanks so much for being a part of this crucial conversation. I know you're dedicated to advancing postpartum care. And if you're ready to dig deeper, come join us on our newsletter where I share exclusive insights, resources, and the latest tools to help you make a lasting impact on postpartum health. Sign up at postpartum you the letter you.com, which is in the show notes. And if you found today's episode valuable, please leave a review to help us reach more providers like you. Together, we're building a future where mothers are fully supported and thriving.

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Maranda Bower

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