One thing that I’ve been forced to think about recently is feeding. It’s been really eye-opening to me to watch friends go through breast feeding or formula-feeding or a mixture of both. What a taxing but rewarding experience, it seems! I am planning to breastfeed, but I’ve heard it can be incredibly difficult and sometimes just hard to “get it.”
My brother and sister-in-law had a baby about 6 weeks ago and one piece of advice that Kyle gave us was to at least have a container of formula on hand, just in case. I decided to actually listen to Kyle for once and started scoping out formulas and the multitude of baby sites out there. My boss has told me she loves Honest Co. for all natural, healthy baby products and always buys their diapers as shower gifts for new moms because they have lots of really cute patterns to choose from as well as being organic.
I started checking them out and then before I knew it a few items had jumped into my cart. I just don’t know how that happens sometimes! 
I got The Honest Company feeding line organic premium formula as my “just in case” back up. I’ve also heard that since your milk can take a while to come in, I may need it in the very beginning.
They’ve recently launched a whole new line of feeding products. Here’s the breakdown I learned about the formula I chose:
-Easy to digest for baby’s tummy
-No GMO’s, gluten or DHA/ARA
-Balanced and modeled after breast milk
-Nutritionally complete
-Sourced from trusted organic farms
I got the unique opportunity to ask Honest co-founder Christopher some questions about their new feeding line so make sure you check out our Q&A below, because he certainly knows a lot more about feeding than I do right now.
What sets your formula apart from others?
“We here at Honest like to shine the light instead of cast the shadow, so while we won’t talk about other brands, let us tell you more about how new Organic Premium Infant Formula is differentiated:
- It’s USDA certified organic! Our infant formula is certified by QAI (Quality Assurance International). QAI is committed to ensuring organic integrity at every link in the organic production chain, and is a USDA approved government agency that complies with the high standards of the USDA National Organic Standards Program.
- We focus on high quality, premium ingredients that are “Honestly Free” of artificial growth hormones, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), antibiotics, steroids, gluten, added flavors, added colors, peanuts, tree nuts, radiation processing and potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides.
- We are proud to have ingredient and packaging traceability and sourcing transparency – with our milk sourced from trusted organic dairy (organic certified) farms (see the infographic on this page) to ensure only high quality, pure ingredients.
- We have carefully balanced the protein and carbohydrate blend patterned after breast milk and is 100% nutritionally complete – meeting all the RDI infants 0 – 12 months.
- It made without GMO (genetically engineered) ingredients.
- The Honest Company has chosen not to include DHA in our Organic Premium Infant Formula because the only DHA approved for use by the FDA in infant formula does not meet our rigorous Honest standards or the criteria you see on our Honest Organic Premium Formula label. The Food and Drug Administration specifies the nutrients that must be used in infant formula. Presently, there is no requirement for DHA. Our nutritionally complete Organic Premium Infant Formula has been carefully crafted based on scientific research to meet the “high quality standards for the safety and nutritional quality of infant formulas during this critical time of development” established by the FDA. We have researched whether to include DHA in our Organic Premium Infant Formula with great attention, carefully reviewing oil extraction methods, batching and blending processes, algae vs. fish oil versions, nutritional standards and infant development, and the results of long term studies of DHA-containing formulas. Based on our research and consistent with our ongoing efforts to provide you with high quality, safe, and thoughtfully conceived products for your family’s health, we instead offer Baby DHA, a liquid supplement sourced from premium fish oil that also contains Vitamins D3 and E. That way, we know that babies can enjoy the critical developmental benefits of DHA. Our Baby DHA is a premium, pure fish oil certified by IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) with the highest 5-star rating to ensure quality, potency, and purity. The oil is carefully batched using a patented molecular distillation and deodorization process for maximum freshness. Additionally, the fisheries we source from are certified for responsible and sustainable fishing by FOS (Friends of the Sea) — offering the essential health benefits of DHA for baby and peace of mind for Mom and Dad.”
What aspect of the Honest feeding collection are you most proud of? Is there a specific product(s) you’re most excited about?
“I believe the infant formula is special. I worked for many years to ensure that our formula was scientifically researched and carefully crafted to meet the high nutritional standards established by the FDA and guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics. We carefully selected only high quality ingredients, without GMO (genetically engineered) ingredients, with dairy from trusted organic farms that abiding by the strict criteria of the USDA certified organic program to ensure premium sourcing and sustainable farming practices. Of course
We are also proud of our Honest Natural Feeding Bottle, crafted from BPA, BPS-free medical-grade, soft-touch silicone. We offer peristaltic nipples with a flex accordion design that allows babies to feed in a natural wavelike motion that mimics breastfeeding. And the integrated, anti-colic tri-vent system allows for continuous feeding to reduce gas, colic, reflux, and spit-up.”
How far along? 17 Weeks. In case you missed last week, here’s my 16 week report! (See below for my feeding questions, the NEW Honest Company feeding line AND….drumroll please our baby’s NAME!)
Total weight gain: 8 pounds
Maternity clothes? I got in my maternity jeans (& the black top I’m wearing in this pic and a few other items I can’t wait to bust out!) and am thrilled that they look so normal! It is taking some time to get used to that elastic waist band though, I’m not gonna lie! I also purchased some clothes this week through a Facebook trading site.
Stretch marks? No, but I have started using my cream and oils to help prevent them!
Sleep: Knock on wood, it’s pretty peaceful but my stomach is starting to feel a little heavier.
Best moment this week: SO excited for sunshine and the excuse to get out for walks and runs with the hubs and friends after work.
Movement: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Gender: Boy! We’ve decided on a name!! Leyton….middle name still to be decided. Eric and I have liked this name for a boy since the beginning of our marriage. Eric told me he like it from the Australian tennis player Lleyton Hewitt and ever since then it’s kinda just been a boy name we considered.
Symptoms: Sinuses due to allergens/spring blooms
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options for registering, feeding, and how to go about what bottles, etc to use. Luckily, I’ve gotten some help with the feeding part from my friends at Honest, Co. You can read all about it below!
Looking forward to: First baby shower tomorrow-with my Pure Barre girls!
It seems like there is a LOT to learn about feeding baby, how long to feed, and how to involve your husband. I’d LOVE to hear your feeding tips below in the comments. Please clue me in on what worked well for you and if there’s anything you’d do differently in hindsight. Major thanks in advance!
Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by The Honest Company via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of The Honest Company or Momtrends.
I love the name! I tried to breastfeed all 3 of mine but ended up supplementing with formula. It wasn’t super-hard to breastfeed, my breasts didn’t make enough milk for my kids. They didn’t gain weight on breastfeeding alone. I agree that give breastfeeding your best try but have formula on hand in case you need it. Also, pack it in your hospital bag in case your milk doesn’t come in right away (My milk didn’t come in until 4 days after birth.) that way you’ll be able to give your baby the good stuff and not Enfamil or Similac the hospital may carry.
Breastfeed!! It is the single most, best thing you can do for that little guy. The benefits are amazing for you and baby. And the nursing relationship is AWESOME!! Yes it has it’s challenges and there is a learning curve, but it just takes some time, patience and some education and you will be able to do it! I HIGHLY recommend speaking and meeting with a lactation consultant BEFORE you have your little one so you can go in with a solid foundation of knowledge and not get blind sided by the common things that tend to stop a momma from breastfeeding. Lactation consultants were my saving grace. Both my pediatrician and OB told me to supplement with formula as I struggled in the beginning, not with breastfeeding, but sleep deprivation and a roller coaster of emotions, but I was determined to breastfeed….I went to a lactation consultant and breastfeeding support groups and we are almost 6 months in to breastfeeding now with no end in sight and I am soooooo happy! But, on the flip side, everyone, every momma and every baby and every situation are different. Probably the best advice I got, and you can apply this to just about anything with being a new mommy, do what works for you and your baby, not what worked for your sister or mother or best friend or neighbor. What ever keeps you and your baby happy, do that!!!! Good luck and many blessings to you and your growing family!
Hopefully, you will have a lactation nurse to guide you through getting started with breastfeeding, as I did with you. It’s very natural and obviously the best way to feed your baby. It’s sad that some Moms are not able to for one reason or another. Hoping that all will go smoothly. <3
Ditto with the lactation coach. Use them as much as you need them! They are a God send. You can call on them anytime and can make an appointment to see them whenever needed. No matter which way you choose….you will be a fabulous mom!
First off, congrats! I’m currently 19 weeks so I always love following blogs I already loved but now have a new interest when they’re in the preggo stages like me! And ps you look so cute! Anyway I was lucky to have been able to breastfeed my daughter for 18 months (I work from home or else I’m not sure if it would’ve lasted that long). I wrote up this advice as a ftm and think you might find it helpful. http://spotofteadesigns.com/2014/03/first-time-mom-advice-tips-for-breastfeeding-and-changing-baby/ looking forward to watching that bump progress 🙂
I did the breastfeeding class while I was pregnant with my husband. I registered for the breast pump and all the accessories. Turns out…breastfeeding was a lot harder than I thought! My little dude had to go back to the hospital after going home since he had jaundice, so I started to use a little bit of formula since the whole breastfeeding thing was not working (And I wanted my son to get OUT of the hospital! lol).
You look great!! And I love that the Honest company now has formula!
Good idea! I have breastfed both, but always had a container of formula on hand. My milk took awhile to come in with #1 and I had to give him a little formula because he was STARVING!
I LOVED these updates and the baby name!! TOO cute!! I breastfed nearly exclusively with both boys, but did supplement with some formula. This one sounds like a good one!
I wasn’t able to bf due to some meds I have to be on so I researched formula extensively. I wish Honest had this line when I was looking!
I love the name Leyton! We are naming our little boy (who is yet to be conceived), Layton- we’ve also liked the name since we first got married- after this famous rock climber.
Just don’t let people shame you into breastfeeding if it doesn’t work out. Our little girl had heart surgery at 3 days old, and had a feeding tube for a few days and I was pumping exclusively because we had to fortify her calories. It didn’t last long because I was hardly making anything and my whole day was spent pumping and I wasn’t able to spend that time with her…so I quit. And people still made me feel guilty. I wanted to kick them in the face. (I didn’t though).
Congrats!