Gear Overview: Leche Freeze-Dried Breast Milk – Being pregnant & New child Journal

I selected to breastfeed my son for a similar causes many new mother and father do: To present him the vitamins and antibodies he wants, help 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. 

We’ve got been fortunate to not have had many issues 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 dearth of independence I’d have as a result of I wanted to be close to my infant every time he was due for a meal, how tough it could be to return to work, that my husband wouldn’t be capable 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 should not have sufficient area to retailer all of it. 

I heard about freeze-drying companies that remodel breast milk right into a formula-like powder that doesn’t must 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 kind. The powder will be reconstituted into liquid by including distilled or purified water. It sounded nearly too good to be true. I might ship frozen baggage 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 working out of area.  

I made a decision to check Leche as a result of the corporate was based by mothers and supported by a group of medical consultants, and so they course of breast milk in a facility with the best food-handling certifications. Moreover, out of all the businesses that supply 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 clients’ milk in a sterile setting for optimum security. Leche prioritizes high quality and security by individually dealing with every order—and in relation to feeding my baby, high quality and security are non-negotiable.

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 strive each choices Leche gives (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 equipment arrived that Wednesday.

Key Options

Packaging
From begin to end, it was obvious that Leche had put quite a lot 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 baggage which might 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 should 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 supplied an easy-to-follow step-by-step information on find out how to bundle my milk for cargo. Every frozen bag needed to be labeled with a everlasting marker with my identify, ounces of milk, and date (and whereas the Leche storage baggage are very cute, you possibly can ship your frozen breast milk in no matter bag works greatest 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 big storage bag with the labeled frozen baggage of breast milk (as much as 75 ounces) and put the bricks on prime of the storage bag, lined 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 bundle off at FedEx. 

Inside three weeks of delivery my bundle again to Leche, I obtained a bundle 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 comply with, 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 simple 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 liked it.

One other Leche-loving mother posted the entire course of on social media. Test it out:

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A publish shared by Freeze Dry Your Breast Milk (@itsmyleche)

Alternatives for Enchancment

Readability
General, I discovered Leche’s directions extremely clear; nonetheless, I used to be a bit confused by the gifted breast milk storage baggage. For the reason that Leche-branded baggage had been included in my bundle, I wasn’t positive if I used to be required to ship my breast milk again in them. Upon clarification, I discovered these had been presents, and I might ship my already frozen milk in any commonplace storage baggage. 

Style
Out of curiosity, I needed to strive 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 totally 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.

Price
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 value for a great cause: The know-how and high quality management behind it are expensive. Nonetheless, I consider it as a value and time financial savings since I averted throwing away a month’s price of frozen milk that was dangerously near its expiration date, saving me a month of pumping (and some tears). 

Thankfully, if the worth is exterior 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, if you happen to 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 Take pleasure in 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 positively profit any over-producing breastfeeding mom with a freezer stash. It’s additionally an incredible choice for folks returning to work, households that journey, or anybody trying to help a brand new mother by serving to make feeding simpler and extra handy.

It could additionally profit somebody with a freezer stash who desires to delay breastfeeding their baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for 2 years, which can be not possible 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 case you journey, taking powdered, freeze-dried breast milk sachets is rather more handy than going by airport safety with liquid breast milk. In case you prefer to be ready in an emergency, you possibly can stash some packets away at house, go away some at your child’s daycare, or drop some off at Grandma’s home. In case you are transitioning your infant to solids however nonetheless need to guarantee they get the vitamins they want, add a bit 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, desires the comfort of getting breast milk on the prepared, or desires to avoid wasting that liquid gold for years to return.

In case you’re curious about attempting this service for your self or a liked one, Leche is providing an unique provide 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. You may as well save 10% by signing up for Leche’s emails.