I selected to breastfeed my son for a similar causes many new dad and mom do: To provide him the vitamins and antibodies he wants, assist his immune system, set up a bond, lower your expenses, and for the comfort of getting his meals readily available always, amongst different issues. The choice to breastfeed felt proper for my household, however, as everyone knows, whereas breastfeeding is undoubtedly rewarding, it’s additionally one of many hardest jobs a brand new mother can tackle.
Now we have been fortunate to not have had many problems with latching or milk provide, and I like the time we’ve spent collectively creating a powerful emotional bond. However there have been sure issues I by no means even thought of till I discovered myself nursing across the clock, such because the period of time feeding would take, how usually he would wish to eat, the shortage of independence I might have as a result of I wanted to be close to my infant every time he was due for a meal, how troublesome it will be to return to work, that my husband wouldn’t have the ability to feed our son and would miss out on a few of that bonding time, or that whereas I’m lucky sufficient to have an ample milk provide, I nonetheless do not need sufficient area to retailer all of it.
I heard about freeze-drying companies that rework breast milk right into a formula-like powder that doesn’t should be refrigerated or frozen and is shelf-stable for as much as three years. This revolutionary freeze-drying course of makes use of sublimation, eradicating the liquid from the breast milk, leaving solely vitamins in a powder type. The powder may be reconstituted into liquid by including distilled or purified water. It sounded nearly too good to be true. I might ship frozen luggage of breast milk from my freezer stash, a few of which had been dangerously near expiring, and obtain that very same milk again—however with an prolonged shelf life. I wouldn’t want to fret about conserving bottles chilly whereas away from house, leaving my infant at daycare with out sufficient to eat, having my freezer stash defrost if the ability went out, frozen milk expiring on the backside of my freezer, or operating out of area.
I made a decision to check Leche as a result of the corporate was based by mothers and supported by a crew of medical specialists, and so they course of breast milk in a facility with the very best food-handling certifications. Moreover, out of all the businesses that provide this service, Leche is the one one which does pre- and post-processing testing to make sure the security of every order. Milk is freeze-dried in particular person chambers separate from different prospects’ milk in a sterile surroundings for optimum security. Leche prioritizes high quality and security by individually dealing with every order—and relating to feeding my baby, high quality and security are non-negotiable.
Leche Co-Founders, Jenney Korasick and Trish Clifford
Ordering Course of
I opted for the On a regular basis + Premier bundle—which features a resealable pouch for house use with a serving scoop and 20-25 particular person 10g sachets for feeding on the go—in order that I might attempt each choices Leche presents (the person packets are solely out there with the Premier bundle). All the on-line ordering course of was seamless and simple, and all merchandise had been pictured clearly on the location, so I knew what to anticipate. I positioned my order on a Sunday, and my package arrived that Wednesday.
Key Options
Packaging
From begin to end, it was obvious that Leche had put lots of thought and care into their packaging, and I used to be genuinely impressed. I like the branding and all the little added particulars (the included packing tape and cooler field even have boobs on them), and the gifted BPA-free premium breast milk luggage which can be included with every order had been a nice shock (they’re additionally out there for buy, receiving this was a enjoyable bonus!). The field match the cooler snugly, and so they made sending my frozen milk again to them so easy: I didn’t even must print a delivery label or discover packing tape. Every little thing I wanted was included (and lovable). When my freeze-dried milk was shipped again to me, it was returned in a handy Leche-branded stackable storage tin.
Directions
I used to be amazed by how straightforward the entire course of was—all of the credit score goes to the clear directions included with my bundle. The instruction card provided an easy-to-follow step-by-step information on find out how to package deal my milk for cargo. Every frozen bag needed to be labeled with a everlasting marker with my title, ounces of milk, and date (and whereas the Leche storage luggage are very cute, you may ship your frozen breast milk in no matter bag works finest for you). The big storage bag needed to be sealed with my info and signature.
After freezing the ice bricks for 48 hours, I packed the massive storage bag with the labeled frozen luggage of breast milk (as much as 75 ounces) and put the bricks on prime of the storage bag, coated with the lid of the cooler till it sealed, and taped the field closed. A pay as you go delivery label was included, so all I needed to do was drop the package deal off at FedEx.
Inside three weeks of delivery my package deal again to Leche, I obtained a package deal with my freeze-dried breast milk in a big resealable pouch with a pre-measured serving scoop to be used at house, in addition to particular person packets. Every Leche packet has easy mixing directions that any caretaker might simply observe, and I really feel assured sending my son to daycare with just a few packets and an empty bottle.
General ease
My favourite function might be how fast and straightforward it’s to combine up a bottle utilizing freeze-dried breast milk.
Upon receiving my Leche, I opened the field and adopted the directions:
Step 1: Pour a person packet (or two 5-gram scoops) right into a bottle.
Step 2: Add 4 ounces of purified water, and swirl or shake.
It was really easy! And most significantly, my son cherished it.
One other Leche-loving mother posted the entire course of on social media. Test it out:
View this submit on Instagram
A submit shared by Freeze Dry Your Breast Milk (@itsmyleche)
Alternatives for Enchancment
Readability
General, I discovered Leche’s directions extremely clear; nevertheless, I used to be a bit confused by the gifted breast milk storage luggage. For the reason that Leche-branded luggage had been included in my bundle, I wasn’t certain if I used to be required to ship my breast milk again in them. Upon clarification, I realized these had been items, and I might ship my already frozen milk in any commonplace storage luggage.
Style
Out of curiosity, I needed to attempt it. I discovered that it didn’t style as candy as my common milk, however my son had no points and didn’t appear to note something completely different. It appears he loves the freeze-dried breast milk simply as a lot as if it had been contemporary—and his opinion issues most.
Value
With kits beginning at $299, there’s no denying that Leche is an funding—although, if it’s inside funds, I’d argue it’s a worthy one as a result of it’s an funding in your child, your self, and your breastfeeding journey. I perceive {that a} service like this comes at a price for cause: The know-how and high quality management behind it are pricey. Nonetheless, I consider it as a price and time financial savings since I prevented throwing away a month’s value of frozen milk that was dangerously near its expiration date, saving me a month of pumping (and some tears).
Fortuitously, if the value is outdoors your funds, there are a number of methods to avoid wasting in your orders. The service is HSA- and FSA-eligible, which will help ease the monetary burden in some instances. Moreover, in the event you join Leche’s emails, it can save you 10% in your order. Lastly, Being pregnant & New child readers can get $100 off their first order with the code PNMAG100.
Who Would Get pleasure from This Product
I despatched in milk that was getting near expiration (from February 2023), and now it’s shelf-stable for just a few extra years, which is spectacular, so this service would undoubtedly profit any over-producing breastfeeding mom with a freezer stash. It’s additionally a tremendous possibility for folks returning to work, households that journey, or anybody seeking to assist a brand new mother by serving to make feeding simpler and extra handy.
It might additionally profit somebody with a freezer stash who needs to extend breastfeeding their baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for 2 years, which can be unattainable for some mothers, particularly these returning to work after just a few months, so having breast milk that may be saved for as much as three years is a game-changer.
In the event you journey, taking powdered, freeze-dried breast milk sachets is way more handy than going by way of airport safety with liquid breast milk. In the event you wish to be ready in an emergency, you may stash some packets away at house, depart some at your child’s daycare, or drop some off at Grandma’s home. If you’re transitioning your infant to solids however nonetheless wish to guarantee they get the vitamins they want, add just a little to your child’s meals or smoothies.
After testing Leche, I like to recommend this service to any mama who’s low on freezer cupboard space, needs the comfort of getting breast milk on the prepared, or needs to avoid wasting that liquid gold for years to come back.
In the event you’re serious about making an attempt this service for your self or a cherished one, Leche is providing an unique supply for Being pregnant & New child readers for $100 off your first order utilizing code PNMAG100 at checkout. After you’ve obtained your first order, write a evaluation on Leche’s web site to get $50 off your subsequent order. It’s also possible to save 10% by signing up for Leche’s emails.