Recent Articles
What is a Milk Bank?
It only makes sense that a place that stores precious liquid gold would be called a "bank." However, with the recent formula crisis in America, Breast Milk Banks are becoming a more significant topic of interest in mom groups.
Infant Formulas that Ship to the U.S.
The formula shortage crisis has been a few months in the making. It started in February 2022 when suspected contamination of Similac led to the recall of products countrywide and the shutting down of a manufacturing plant in Michigan. This plant supplied as much as a fifth of the infant formula products on the market. It is also a critical supplier of specialized formula products for babies with allergies or other health conditions.
Finding an Alternative Formula
On 17 February 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was investigating several reported cases of Salmonella Newport infections in infants and toddlers likely linked to the infant formula produced in the Abbott Nutrition’s Michigan Facility. This was only the beginning of what would turn out to be a national crisis. No one could imagine that the USA would face a formula shortage, leaving parents in a state of panic about how to feed their babies.
Formula Shortages in the US
Following the baby formula recall in Spring of 2022 ago, mothers who depend on formula are now undergoing another stressful situation. Since the recall of Similac Formula, in fear of contamination by the bacteria, Cronobacter sakazakii, supply chain issues following COVID, palm oil shortages, and international trade issues in combination have created a massive lack of formula.
How to Deal With a Nursing Strike
You grab baby, sit down in your favorite spot, and latch your baby… except they won't latch. So what in the world is happening? Not to fret, mama, whether this is the first time this has happened or a new trend that you've noticed over the past few days, we have been there personally, and we are here for you!
Pumping Strategies For Working Moms
Pumping while away from your new baby or even pumping full time is A LOT of work. Often, there are so many questions about where to start, how to set it up, how long and often to pump, etc. Our IBCLC here at Leva, also a breastfeeding and pumping mama, has found some strategies that really work:
Choosing the Correct Flange Size
Whether you are pumping to increase your supply, pumping for your infant in NICU, working away from baby following maternity leave, or an exclusive pumper, knowing how to select the correct flange size can be confusing. Read on to learn more about how to select the correct flange size to optimize your milk output.
How Do I Stop My Baby From Biting Me While Breastfeeding?
You’ve moved past the initial nipple pain from the early newborn stages, and now your bundle of joy has just cut their first tooth. This is new territory for both you and your little one, and you may be nervous about dealing with biting while breastfeeding. Read on to learn more.
Breastfeeding for Two (Twins)
Congrats! It's twins! Double the cute, double the cuddles, and double the feedings. Even if you've had a successful breastfeeding journey in the past, it's not uncommon to find yourself overwhelmed over breastfeeding two babies. Or maybe you've never breastfed before and want to be successful with both sweet babes. Scheduling and tracking breastfeeding twins can seem overwhelming in the beginning. You may have questions like: Who do I feed first? Do I feed them both at the same time? What if one doesn't latch? Read on to learn about what it takes to breastfeed twins.
Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm every year. If your baby was born before 37 weeks of age, they would fall into the "preterm" category. As an L&D nurse, I have witnessed 35-week babies come out thriving with no issue. On the other hand, some 37-week babies come out and need extra assistance or have trouble transitioning from utero to the outside world. Read on to learn more about breastfeeding your preterm baby.
The Willow Breast Pump- My New BFF
Finally, someone gets it. One of the hardest things about pumping is being tied down. We all have unending lists of errands to complete, which becomes more stressful when you have to stop and pump for hours each day. The Willow Breast Pump has changed the game for breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant with my second child, I was given one of the best gifts I could ask for by a fellow nurse/ friend, her Willow Breast Pump. I was ecstatic. I knew that having a Willow Breast Pump meant that I could pump hands-free without being tied to a wall outlet.
Colostrum - Every Drop Counts
Colostrum is often described as liquid gold, and for good reason too. While it does have a golden tinge, it is also the most precious and valuable food your newborn will receive. Produced in the smallest amounts, colostrum plays an important role in the start of your breastfeeding journey. Read on to find out more about the benefits of colostrum for your baby and why every drop counts.
What You Should Know About Losing Weight after Pregnancy
Following a long nine months of pregnancy with a roller coaster of hormones and body changes, we are so excited to welcome our baby into the world and embrace our role as a mother. At the same time, there is also a lot of pressure to shed the baby weight within weeks of giving birth. Social media influencers and famous celebs set unrealistic standards that we hold ourselves to, but there is no secret formula for gaining that six-pack or fitting back into your skinny jeans. Read on to learn more about what you can realistically expect when it comes to weight loss after birth.
What We Thought of the Cake Maternity Bra
If you've been online recently in search of a pumping/nursing bra, the results can be a little overwhelming. Function and comfort being at the top of the list, this usually leaves us with the frumpy, ugly styles that do nothing for our postpartum confidence. However, Cake Maternity (who doesn't love cake?!) has a solution for all of the above.
How You Can Support Your Partner
When mothers decide that they will be breastfeeding/or pumping, it often leaves their partner curious about their role. Partners may feel that they may lose that bonding time with their babies or don't know how to support the breastfeeding journey. Here at Leva, we believe that breastfeeding can be a family connection.
Alcohol and Breastfeeding
About 1-2% of the alcohol a mother consumes enters her breastmilk. Because infants’ livers are not developed enough to process the alcohol, it will remain in their systems much longer. While mothers can safely consume alcohol while breastfeeding, they should limit their intake to about 1-2 units per week or plan accordingly.
Nipple Confusion
One challenge many mothers face, along with all the other breastfeeding issues that arise, is nipple confusion. Some professionals argue that there isn't such a thing. Some disagree and highly recommend that you wait until breastfeeding is firmly established before introducing a pacifier or bottle nipple. Read on to find out more about nipple confusion.
Choosing a Breastfeeding Bra
With a simple internet search, you can find hundreds of choices for bras for breastfeeding mothers. While it is encouraging to have so many options, it can also quickly become overwhelming. Underwire? Material? Size? At LEVA, we want to make your breastfeeding journey as smooth as possible, including helping you pick out a bra that works best for you.
Oversupply of Breast Milk
Oversupply comes with a completely different set of issues than under-supply. Mothers may experience persistent engorgement, leaking, and discomfort. In addition to difficulty with latching and emptying, there is an increased risk of clogged ducts and mastitis. Mastitis is an infection in the milk ducts. Read on to find out more about oversupply and how to manage it.
Composition of Breast Milk
We are all aware that breast milk is packed full of magical nutritional benefits that perfectly support your child’s development, but did you know that the composition of breast milk changes over time? Read on to find out more about the properties of breast milk and how it transforms to meet your baby’s changing needs.