Recent Articles
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!
How Does Exercise Affect My Breastmilk?
However natural breastfeeding is, it may not come easy for some moms - many of us have to put in a lot of effort to increase our milk supply. So it is no wonder that we were very wary of anything that may compromise that precious nectar, including exercise.
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:
When Should I Give My Baby Water?
Water is essential for life. The human body needs water to function properly because it carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, protects body organs and tissues, and helps the kidneys and liver flush out waste products. Water essentially balances all our bodily systems. An adult should drink about 3 liters of fluid per day.
However, as counterintuitive as it may seem, babies under the age of six months should not be fed water, read on to learn why.
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.
The Benefits of Babywearing
Babies that are "worn" in a carrier benefit on an emotional level because they crave close contact with their caregivers. Studies have shown that it can lead to 43% less crying, especially in the late hours of the day when they may be exhausted. Babies feel more comforted and cry less when carried closely. Read on to learn more about the benefits of carrying your baby in a sling.
Your Partner’s Role in Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be one of the most beautiful experiences. The closeness between mother and child, the sense of meaning and purpose, the continuation and the strength of life, the most natural and pure experience - words fail to describe what it means to us. But what about the partners? How can we get them to share these precious moments of bliss and wonder?
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.
Thriving as a Working Mom
We are constantly plagued by the popular notion that mothers must work like we don't have children and raise children as if we don't work. As a mother, nature designed you to put the needs of others above your own. As female employees, society has placed enormous pressure on us to prove ourselves worthy and deserving of the previously male-dominated corporate world.
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.
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.