Recent Articles
Breastfeeding and Cognitive Development
Over and above the well-known medical benefits of breastfeeding, the practical advantages of saving money on formula, and facilitating an easy transition to solids, there is still a point of contention over just how potent this life elixir is. To be more precise, there is an ongoing debate over the level of impact that breastmilk has on cognitive development. So, to put it simply, does breast milk aid cognitive development?
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.
How to Treat Thrush
As a proud mommy, you notice every fold in your baby's skin and can read her facial expressions like a book. You will also immediately notice if your baby develops white patches on her tongue, lips, or inside her mouth. White patches in the mouth often indicate that your baby has thrush. Read on to learn more about why thrush develops and what you can do to treat and prevent it.
Can You Express Milk into the Same Bottle?
In order to save fridge and freezer space, it makes sense to combine milk from different pumping sessions, but is it a safe option? The answer is generally ‘yes,’ but there are certain guidelines that need to be followed.
Choking While Breastfeeding
As frightening as it sounds, it is not unusual for a baby to choke on breastmilk. It often occurs because the hyper-gag reflex that protects babies from asphyxiation has been stimulated. This article intends to help mothers understand why babies choke and what they can do if it happens.
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.
The Golden Hour
The first hour after birth when the mother has uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with her newborn is termed the Golden Hour. Research has recently recognized the vital role that “The Golden Hour” plays in stimulating breast milk production and ultimately, breastfeeding success. Read on to learn more about the Golden Hour.
How to Deal With Colic
You will know that you have a colicky baby if they cry for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and for longer than three weeks. Colicky babies are not your typical cranky babies who have their fussy moments at the worst times when you are exhausted at the end of the day. Instead, colicky babies cry incessantly. Read on to find out more about how to deal with colic.
Foremilk vs Hindmilk
If you have ever left your pumped milk in the fridge overnight, you may have noticed the separation of the breastmilk. Rest assured, this is completely normal and expected. What you are seeing is the two types of milk that your body creates - foremilk and hindmilk.
How to Healthfully Lose Weight While Breastfeeding
Young moms have so much pressure to get back into shape pretty much as soon as their baby arrives. Instagram and Facebook are full of examples of heroes who shed their baby weight within weeks after birth. However, the effects of rapid weight loss can have a negative impact on you and your milk production, and by extension, your baby.
How to Unclog a Milk Duct
Clogged milk ducts, while common, are uncomfortable and can quickly develop into mastitis. Most women (especially with their first baby) experience clogged ducts within the first six weeks after birth. Clogged ducts may also develop following missed nursing or pumping sessions, wearing constrictive bras, or when the infant begins sleeping for longer stretches. Read on to find out how to treat a clogged milk duct.
Cracked and Painful Nipples
Cracked and painful nipples are one of the most common reasons mothers prematurely stop breastfeeding. Many factors have been identified to cause painful or damaged nipples, including poor breastfeeding technique or latch, breast engorgement, inverted/malformed nipples, bottle feeding, nipple hypersensitivity, and inappropriate breast pumps. This article outlines some of the most effective ways to correct and resolve these issues.
Cleaning Your Breast Pump
Keeping your breast pump parts clean is as important as keeping your baby's pacifiers and bottles/nipples clean. While each breast pump is different and breaks down differently, cleaning & sanitizing is similar with each pump.
Increasing Milk Supply According to a Lactation Consultant
One of the most regularly asked questions that breastfeeding mothers ask is, “how do I increase my breast milk supply?" Many moms turn to the internet in search of the best product on the market as a quick fix to help stimulate and increase their supply. Hundreds of products are available at the click of a mouse, ranging from pills, smoothies, cookies, and teas. However, it is not always that easy.