Gear Evaluate: Leche Freeze-Dried Breast Milk

I selected to breastfeed my son for a similar causes many new mother and father do: To offer 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. 

We have now 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 typically he would want 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 might 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 wouldn’t have sufficient house to retailer all of it. 

I heard about freeze-drying providers that rework breast milk right into a formula-like powder that doesn’t have to 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 might be reconstituted into liquid by including distilled or purified water. It sounded virtually too good to be true. I may ship frozen luggage of breast milk from my freezer stash, a few of which have been dangerously near expiring, and obtain that very same milk again—however with an prolonged shelf life. I wouldn’t want to fret about preserving bottles chilly whereas away from dwelling, leaving my infant at daycare with out sufficient to eat, having my freezer stash defrost if the facility went out, frozen milk expiring on the backside of my freezer, or working out of house.  

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 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 prospects’ milk in a sterile surroundings for optimum security. Leche prioritizes high quality and security by individually dealing with every order—and in the case of feeding my little one, 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 dwelling use with a serving scoop and 20-25 particular person 10g sachets for feeding on the go—in order that I may strive each choices Leche affords (the person packets are solely accessible with the Premier bundle). Your entire on-line ordering course of was seamless and simple, and all merchandise have 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 a variety 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 are included with every order have been a pleasing shock (they’re additionally accessible 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 need to print a transport label or discover packing tape. All the things I wanted was included (and lovely). 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 methods 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 massive 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 high of the storage bag, lined with the lid of the cooler till it sealed, and taped the field closed. A pay as you go transport label was included, so all I needed to do was drop the package deal off at FedEx. 

Inside three weeks of transport my package deal again to Leche, I acquired a package deal with my freeze-dried breast milk in a big resealable pouch with a pre-measured serving scoop to be used at dwelling, in addition to particular person packets. Every Leche packet has easy mixing directions that any caretaker may simply observe, and I really feel assured sending my son to daycare with a couple of packets and an empty bottle.

Total 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 liked it.

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

Readability
Total, I discovered Leche’s directions extremely clear; nevertheless, I used to be a bit confused by the gifted breast milk storage luggage. Because the Leche-branded luggage have 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 realized these have been items, and I may ship my already frozen milk in any commonplace storage luggage. 

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 completely different. It appears he loves the freeze-dried breast milk simply as a lot as if it have been recent—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 value for a very good purpose: The expertise and high quality management behind it are pricey. Nonetheless, I consider it as a value and time financial savings since I prevented 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). 

Luckily, if the value is exterior your funds, there are a number of methods to save lots of in your orders. The service is HSA- and FSA-eligible, which might help ease the monetary burden in some circumstances. Moreover, for those who 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.

I despatched in milk that was getting near expiration (from February 2023), and now it’s shelf-stable for a couple of 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 choice 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 lengthen breastfeeding their little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for 2 years, which can be inconceivable 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. 

If you happen to journey, taking powdered, freeze-dried breast milk sachets is way more handy than going via airport safety with liquid breast milk. If you happen to prefer to be ready in an emergency, you may stash some packets away at dwelling, depart 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 of to your child’s meals or smoothies. 

After testing Leche, I like to recommend this service to any mama who’s low on freezer space for storing, needs the comfort of getting breast milk on the prepared, or needs to save lots of that liquid gold for years to return.

If you happen to’re fascinated with making an attempt this service for your self or a liked 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 acquired your first order, write a assessment on Leche’s web site to get $50 off your subsequent order. You may also save 10% by signing up for Leche’s emails.