An Interview with Luna Feehan | owner, Legendairy Milk
This interview first appeared on Your Zen Mama
We were so intrigued by Luna's story and how she ended up creating her company, Legendairy Milk. We admire and appreciate anyone who is working so hard to make mom's lives easier and to provide more options and accessibility as we all travel down the journey that is parenthood. Not all women and babies can tolerate fenugreek as a supplement for breastfeeding, which prompted this mama to create new, fenugreek-free lactation boosting products. We loved being able to spend some time getting to know her better, and think you will too.
Interview by Kacy Byxbee, editor, Your Zen Mama
Who is in your family?
Hubby, toddler who runs our house and our 2 guard dogs (a fluffball pom and teacup yorkie).
Where are you from?
I'm Kurdish and my parents immigrated to the US when I was a baby. They've taught me everything I know about hard work, determination and achieving the American dream.
How old are your kiddos?
Joseph is 3 and our fur babies are 9.
Occupation?
Mama bear, professional butt wiper, lady who carries the snacks, owner of Legendairy Milk
How did Legendairy Milk come to be?
The first 9 weeks postpartum were a whirlwind of nursing, pumping, hand expressing, feeding baby, washing bottles and then starting the cycle all over again. The worry about whether I was producing enough milk constantly niggled in the back of my mind. It wasn't until I discovered that a medical condition I'd had since puberty may be contributing to my low milk supply that I had a turning point in my breastfeeding journey. I wasn't going crazy! There was an underlying reason for my struggles with supply.
Now I had to figure out what to do about it. I tried fenugreek to boost my supply but my son and I couldn't tolerate it and it actually decreased my milk production. About 99% of the lactation products on the market contained fenugreek and I thought, there have to be better options out there! Turns out there are tons of herbs and foods that have been traditionally used for milk production in different cultures for centuries. Creating Legendairy Milk was the natural next step to provide other struggling new moms with fenugreek-free alternatives.
How have things changed with your partner since you became parents?
My husband is hands down the funniest person I've ever met. I tend to take myself too seriously sometimes and that's almost impossible to do when hubby is around. Our son has his sense of humor so we laugh and joke around a lot in our house. That's not to say we don't have tough days - every parent does. But for the most part, we're really enjoying this new chapter in our lives.
What is your favorite thing to do as a family?
We try to carve out time a few nights a week to play board games together. We play Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, all my favorites when I was a little kid. It's such a treat to watch my son really get into the game and learn how to win and lose gracefully.
What are you reading?
I'm a horror buff. Currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin and I'm legit terrified to go to sleep every night now. Why do I do this to myself?
What’s the most challenging part about being a mom?
For me, it was just being present in the moment. When my son was a baby, I was always planning two steps ahead. Did I have his diaper bag packed, did I have enough milk for his next feeding, when should I put him down for his nap, etc. I feel like that first year just flew by and I wish I had let myself take it all in -- every beautiful, messy, lonely, awe-inspiring moment of it.
What do the day to day operations look like for you?
My day to day is mostly unstructured because I'm with my son. Nap times and after bedtime are when I get most of my work done though.
What are you watching right now?
3% on Netflix. I'm obsessed! If you haven't heard of it, it's a must watch.
What does self-care mean and look like for you? What do you do for yourself?
Wine is usually the cure for all that ails me. Just kidding...sort of. The gym is my "me time." I don't exercise nearly as much as I should but whenever I do, I'm in such a great headspace for the rest of the day.
What advice do you have for new mothers?
My husband was my biggest cheerleader when I struggled with breastfeeding and I probably would have given up early on without his support. A lactation consultant recently told me that one of the determinants of how long a woman will breastfeed is based on how supportive her mother and spouse are. If you choose to breastfeed, it will be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. But there may be times when you question yourself. Is baby getting enough milk? Should I breastfeed for 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? What will my family think of me if I nurse in public? You may not have all the answers in the beginning but if you're determined to breastfeed, don't let anyone stand in your way. Have a conversation with your immediate family early on and set expectations for what support you'll need from them.
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