Recent Articles
An Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol, And How It Pertains To You
Recently, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine released its protocol for “Managing Nighttime Breastfeeding in Young Infants”. Here at Leva, we are firm believers in supporting mothers, and evidence-based practice. So, what does this lengthy protocol say, and how does it apply to you?
Reimagining Infant Feeding: Prioritizing Maternal Mental Health as the Path to Success
The traditional "breast is best" message has been harmful to many mothers who struggle to breastfeed. The "fed is best" philosophy, on the other hand, recognizes that every mother's journey is unique and that feeding decisions should prioritize both the mother and child's overall health and well-being.
Formula Guilt and How To Combat It
We strongly believe here at Leva that all families have the right to choose how they want to nourish their babies, guilt-free! Our philosophy is that breast milk and formula should both be viewed as feeding options rather than opposing viewpoints. As if being a new parent isn't hard enough, many of our moms talk about dealing with guilt or shame for giving formula to their baby despite formula being a safe form of infant nourishment.
Switching from Breastfeeding to Formula Feeding
When doing their research and considering how they would like to feed their newborn, most parents set out with the goal of providing breast milk to their baby. In fact, 83% of babies are breastfed at some point- but that number drops to just 25% being exclusively breastfed at six months of age. Many mothers then have to switch their babies to formula. Read on to learn how to make the transition.
Why Can’t You Just Breastfeed?
We all truly want what is best for our children. If you ask me, the biggest divider in our motherhood community is the breast vs. formula groups. With the recent shortage of formula across the US, the same question continues on social media forums, in conversations at the park, and even in the grocery store aisles, "Why can't you just breastfeed?"
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.
Which Formula is Best for My Baby?
Sometimes, as much as we want to parent “by the book” as it were, life has other plans for us. Breastfeeding may be causing so much discomfort and stress, that in many ways, formula feeding is a better alternative. Some of us experience severe pain, cracked nipples, mastitis, or simply have to return to work and cannot find an extra thirty hours in our week to exclusively breastfeed/pump. Read on to find out about the most popular formulas on the market and the pros and cons of each.
How Much Milk Does My Baby Need?
Are you wondering how much milk your baby needs? How big is your baby’s tummy, and how much can it hold? Find these answers here, and we will show you an easy way to calculate how much milk your baby needs and how many ounces your baby should eat.
Is It OK to Breastfeed and Formula Feed at the Same Time?
While many of us understand the benefits of breastfeeding, for some moms, exclusive breastfeeding is not always an option. In this day and age, many moms have to return to work within a few months of their baby’s birth, and being able to pump is non-negotiable. However, many moms experience difficulties with pumping and then don’t have enough milk to give to babysitters. Additionally, many moms struggle with issues such as getting their baby to latch, low milk supply, or nipple pain. For these and other reasons, the decision to supplement with formula becomes the only viable option.
Everything You Need To Know About Breastfeeding vs Formula
There are so many reasons why a breastfeeding mom might need to add formula into the mix. Contrary to popular belief, supplementing with formula isn’t the end of the world. Doing so doesn't have to wreck your breastfeeding relationship, and you can still retain many of the benefits of breastfeeding. Read on about breastfeeding vs formula.
Why Do Babies Spit Up So Much?
Spitting up during or after a feeding is common. The Mayo Clinic estimates that half of all babies spit up during the first three months, and most babies outgrow spitting up by a year. Most cases of spitting up have to do with the fact that your baby’s digestive system—specifically the muscle between their esophagus and tummy—isn’t fully mature yet, so the milk they consume is more likely to come back up.