Why Mothers Carry the Mental Load (with Jenny Lynn Walding)

In this episode of Roar, host Danielle Davies speaks with Jenny Lynn Walding—certified lactation counselor and founder of milkmade, a femtech startup reimagining what breastfeeding support can actually look like.

Jenny shares her raw, personal experience navigating the early days of motherhood: the pain, the pressure, andthe quiet moments of “this can’t be the way.” Instead of accepting broken systems, she's building a smarter one—and working to help other parents get the clarity, support, and insight she wished she had.

Together, Danielle and Jenny explore what it means to trust your instincts, the barriers that keep maternal health in the margins, and why parental leave and real-time support aren’t luxuries—they’re essential.

Tune in to hear how one woman's journey is paving the way for better maternal and infant health.

00:00 Introduction to Roar

00:23 Sexual Assault PSA

01:00 Breastfeeding Challenges and Innovations

01:20 Interview with Jenny Lynn Waling

02:47 Personal Breastfeeding Struggles

04:16 Navigating Tongue Tie Issues

11:57 The Birth of milkmade

17:45 The Importance of Breastfeeding Support

21:26 milkmade: A Smart Solution

34:08 The Mental Load of Breastfeeding

35:37 Challenges in Developing Breastfeeding Products

35:51 Perception and Identity as a Mom

38:39 FemTech and Women's Health

43:16 Innovation in Lactation

45:10 Systemic Barriers and Funding Issues

55:04 Workplace Support and Policy Changes

01:02:15 Call to Action and Final Thoughts

To Learn More:

milkmade: https://milkmade.me/

* Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the lingual frenulum, the thin band of tissue (that may contain muscle fibers) under the tongue, is abnormally short or thick. This restricts the movement of the tongue, making it difficult to perform certain functions such as breastfeeding.

Also discussed:

IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants):https://ibclc-commission.org/

Brittany Barreto Podcast: https://femtechfocus.org/

Cindy Gallup: https://cindygallop.com/

Parental Leave Status in US compared to other OECDnations: https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/paid-family-leave-across-oecd-countries/

To get in touch with or follow Jenny Lynn Walding:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylynnwalding/

jennylynnwalding@gmail.com

jennylynnwalding.myportfolio.com/

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🎧 Roar is a podcast hosted by Danielle Davies. New episodes drop every Monday.

#RoarPodcast #Femtech #MaternalHealth#BreastfeedingSupport #WomenInTech #StartupLife #LactationSupport #MomsWhoLead#milkmade

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