Recent Articles
“You’re Cleared!” Postpartum Sex: What to Expect and How to Prepare
You are just now feeling semi-human again at your 6-week appointment, and your doctor clears you for SEX… Now what??
How To Support Your Spouse Through Infertility
Infertility affects 1 out of every 6 couples worldwide, yet it’s an incredibly isolating experience. Society tells us to not speak about these issues, for fear of looking inadequate in some shape or form. This stigma causes us to turn inward and compartmentalize our unresolved feelings, when what would help the most is finding someone else that’s going through it too.
Retaining Employees After Parental Leave: Creating A Customized Plan to Increase Retention and Engagement
Learn how to retain your employees after parental leave by providing meaningful work and supportive policies. Discover the key factors that contribute to employee retention and the benefits of investing in your employees.
Updated Research: Do I Have a Plugged Duct?
Plugged ducts and mastitis are prevalent breastfeeding conditions affecting up to 20% of women. These conditions cause breast pain and discomfort, impacting long-term breastfeeding goals. Effective management and treatment of these conditions are essential to minimize pain and discomfort and maintain breastfeeding.
Updated Research: How to Manage Engorgement
Breastfeeding can be as challenging as it is beneficial for mother and child, particularly in the first few weeks. One of the greatest challenges that a breastfeeding mother can face is engorgement. Most breastfeeding mothers will have experienced engorgement at some stage in their breastfeeding journeys.
Mama, You're Not Alone: How to ask for Help
As a new mom, it's important to remember that you don't have to do everything alone. Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength and self-awareness. It's common for new moms to feel like they should be able to handle everything on their own, but the truth is that it's okay to ask for help.
How to Begin Exercising Postpartum
Baby is finally here, and your days look completely different than they once did. This time in a mother's life is crucial, yet all attention is on her baby. Feed, sleep, change, repeat. For the first year of a baby’s life, there are numerous doctor appointments to check up on your baby’s health, yet - moms only have one 6-week “clearance” appointment.
Everyone Knows About The Baby Blues But What About Postpartum Anxiety?
Becoming a mother is an incredible journey filled with joy, excitement, and love. However, it can also be an overwhelming and stressful experience, particularly for first-time moms. While it’s common to experience some anxiety after giving birth, these feelings can become severe for some women and interfere with daily life.
Updated Research: Do I have Mastitis?
Previously, mastitis was always associated with a bacterial infection. However, science has taught us that it can occur because of several factors, including ductal narrowing, inflammation, edema, disruption of the microorganisms in the milk, and bacteria. Mastitis often occurs in the first three weeks after childbirth, but may occur at any stage of lactation.
Can You Get Rid of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy?
Throughout pregnancy, our bodies undergo so many changes it’s hard to keep track. One of the more obvious but unwelcomed changes is stretch marks. They usually appear during the second trimester of pregnancy as the body begins to stretch and fade postpartum.
Best Postpartum Exercises for New Moms
The fourth trimester is one that no one really talks about, yet it is one of the hardest for moms. Navigating your routine with a newborn is quite the task. Moms begin to feel out of touch with reality as they are sucked into the ongoing cycle of feeding, sleeping, changing, repeat. Trying to figure out your day seems impossible, and you often feel like you have lost touch with the woman you once were.
A Guide To Pumping
The life of any breastfeeding mom usually involves pumping at some point, whether creating a freezer stash for emergencies, providing milk when the baby is not with her, or simply so other family members can take on some feedings by bottle. This topic can feel confusing and complicated, so we have broken down some of the most common questions that arise.
When Should I Start Eliminating a Feed?
Nursing strikes, introducing solids, and spacing out feedings can all be tricky when nursing your baby. In addition, as they grow, the schedule you were accustomed to is suddenly different. So, when do you start eliminating feeds?
Cancer, Donor Eggs, and a Successful Feeding Journey
I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. When I envisioned motherhood, breastfeeding was an important aspect of that. My journey did not turn out the way I initially wanted, but I am proud of how far we made it and proud of my body. To understand my experience fully, let me provide some background.
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.
My Breastfeeding Journey - Dealing With Diabetes and Low Supply
I recently gave birth to my second son, who was born at 35 weeks. In the months leading up to his birth, my prayers were for a healthy baby AND a beautiful breastfeeding journey. I was DETERMINED to breastfeed him no matter what. The journey thus far has not been easy, but worth it!
How to Cope With Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss is a heartbreaking and emotional experience that can have devastating physical and psychological impacts. It can be extremely difficult to cope with the pain and grief of losing a much-wanted baby. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to heal from a pregnancy loss, you can take steps to help yourself work through the emotions and learn how to cope in the aftermath.
How Supplementing Helps Some Moms Breastfeed Longer
It’s most breastfeeding moms’ goal to be able to provide all the nourishment their little one needs from latching at the breast alone, but like many things in life, the ideal plan isn’t what always comes to fruition. Some moms that have been around the breastfeeding block before are familiar with the term “triple feeding,” and most let out groans of displeasure when they hear it. It’s no secret that adding extra steps to the feeding routine can be a monumental amount of work. So what is supplementing anyway, and how can it be used to your benefit?
Bouncing Back from Layoffs
I have been laid off during every single recession. That’s three times total in my life so far. I guess that makes me a layoff expert. Let me share with you how I have gotten through these experiences. I hope it helps!
Why Some Moms Don’t Breastfeed
It’s no secret that most moms say that the actual act of breastfeeding is much more challenging than they originally anticipated. According to the CDC, 83% of parents intend to breastfeed their babies when they are born, but only 24% of mothers manage to exclusively breastfeed their babies by the six-month mark.