At Mash + Mint, we love uncovering stories behind brands that are reshaping everyday life with thought, care, and innovation. This week, we’re shining a light on Lesh, founded by Kat, a mum who transformed her personal challenges with breastfeeding into a revolutionary product for others. From sleepless nights to breakthrough design, Kat shares how Lesh bras are changing the way new mothers experience comfort, confidence, and style during the postpartum journey.
What inspired you to create a leakproof breastfeeding bra and how did Lesh begin?
Lesh was born from my own lived experience. I spent 2.5 years leaking with limited solutions on the market that were either terrible for the environment or just didn’t work - and they were all a nuisance to wear. I remember waking up one night (of many) drenched and the idea of a leakproof bra came to me then and there!
What makes your bras different from other breastfeeding bras on the market?
Our bras completely eradicate the need for breast pads. They are lab tested to absorb up to 60ml of milk which is suitable even for mums suffering with oversupply.
How does the leakproof technology in Lesh bras work?
Or bras are lined with a quick-wicking antimicrobial lining which then transports breast milk into its absorbent core. Our outer fabric incorporates a waterproof lining to stop the breast milk from passing through the bra onto your clothes.
So many new mums struggle to find a bra that fits well during pregnancy and postpartum. How did you tackle sizing and support?
Yes, sizing is such a challenge, even when not breastfeeding with 80% of women wearing the wrong bra size! We made sure our bras stretch as much as possible to work with breast size fluctuations throughout the day (which can be as much as 3 cups!) Our sizing ranges from small to extra large so choosing the right size is as easy as possible and best for your breast health.
Are your bras suitable for both pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Yes, a lot of women have very sore breasts when they are pregnant and choose to wear bras to sleep for comfort. Our bras are made from super soft fabrics and all styles are comfy enough to be worn both day and night.
What materials do you use and why is that important for breastfeeding mums?
The most important aspect is comfort so stretch and the ability to dry quickly is a necessity, especially when you leak so much. We use a modal blend for the outer fabric which is supremely soft to the touch which is ideal for sore skin. It also has a slightly cool touch which is great during the post partum sweats! Our bras are antimicrobial and quick drying too.
How do you recommend washing and caring for Lesh bras to keep them at their best?
To make our bras go the distance, pop them in a delicates bag and wash in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, then hang to dry.
What advice would you give to new mums looking for their first nursing bra?
Make sure you are wearing something that isn’t too tight as that can cause mastitis and definitely no underwire. Being comfortable is the most important thing so find bras that don’t have cup sizes, going with S/M/L etc instead, and ensure they have stretch content within their fabric composition like spandex or elastane.
Do you have plans to expand beyond bras? what’s next for Lesh?
Absolutely, postpartum women have been ignored for far too long. There is so much opportunity to cater for women in a way that still makes they feel like themselves. Just because you’re a mum, doesn’t mean you have to be “mumsy”. We will build out our product offering within the postpartum space moving into clothing and other items where mums are lacking in choice.
Why was it important to you to create a product that’s not only functional but stylish too?
All too often mum is the last priority. It’s a rude awakening to go from the option of dressing sexy and cool to all of a sudden having the expectation of wearing something your Granny wouldn’t wear. Comfort doesn’t have to be frumpy and we are here to disrupt that.
How do customers usually discover Lesh and what feedback do you hear most often?
We are offering something pretty unique so a lot of our success is organic. The mum community is a powerful force – our customers are an incredible group of mums who pass on the recommendations to their friends and so on, which gives the brand a real community feeling.
Can you share a personal moment when you realised the impact your bras were having on other mums?
The best feeling ever is getting a 5 star review. Customers who love Lesh LOVE Lesh. It’s not just a product but provides a sense of freedom for mum who doesn’t have to faff around with breast pads, when breastfeeding (and especially in public) is hard enough. I’ve even had customers say they plan to breastfeed longer because of my bras which is music to my ears - especially considering the UK has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world.
If your bra could speak, what would it say to a new mum in those early hours of motherhood?
“Don’t worry about breast pads, I got you ;)”
How did your own journey with motherhood influence the design process?
I tested the prototypes all throughout my 2nd breastfeeding journey. I am a huge oversupplier (leaking 7oz a day) so if it worked for me, I was convinced it would work for anyone. We made over a dozen prototypes and took 2.5 years before we got the product to launch but rigorous testing was absolutely necessary to ensure the product worked.
Kat’s journey with Lesh is a powerful reminder that some of the best ideas are born from lived experience and a drive to make life better for others. By putting comfort, sustainability, and style at the forefront, Lesh is giving new mums one less thing to worry about. We’ll be keeping an eye on what’s next for Kat and her growing brand - because postpartum care deserves to be as empowering as it is practical.
