Spilled Milk: Feeding Unfiltered with Hayley

From breast cancer to baby, and finding a formula without compromising. This mama is on a mission to give her little ones the best, no matter what life throws her way! 

A diagnosis of breast cancer at just 28 years old put life into a whole new perspective for Hayley. Even though she and her husband hadn’t initially planned on having children, when faced with the necessity of undergoing a double mastectomy, she found herself heartbroken that breastfeeding was now off the table. 

“There’s a huge stigma around breast is best… and for some people it truly is just not possible.”
- Hayley

Many moms know all too well the pressure to have a perfect pregnancy and a perfect breastfeeding experience thereafter. But the truth is that’s simply not the reality for many women, and if you find yourself unable to breastfeed for whatever reason, it can bring up a lot of guilt and create stress about finding an alternative. 

‘‘For breast cancer survivors, we don't have an option. There is no plan B. The plan A is formula. Unless, you're gonna go find donor milk, which...I can understand, but also seems really scary because you're entrusting somebody else.’’
- Hayley

Fast forward after an arduous battle against this aggressive illness, and coming out on the other side proudly cancer-free, Hayley felt ready to take on a new challenge: motherhood. However, doctors told her she wouldn’t be able to conceive, so Hayley and her husband decided to have their first child through IVF.

While pregnant, faced with feeding decisions in real time, and knowing breastfeeding wasn’t an option, she was concerned about how to give her son the best start in life, so down the rabbit hole of research she went.

‘‘Especially during pregnancy, you go through like these spirals of staying up all night and Googling... So I did that with formula... I bought a can or two [of local options] to have on reserve. And then I was looking at it, and I thought, this isn't good enough, and if I don't feel in my heart that this is acceptable. How do I change that?’’
- Hayley

After doing some more digging, Hayley knew for certain that she didn’t want a non-organic formula loaded with unnecessary additives like extra sugars, impure oils, and chemicals. She and her husband eat clean, so why should she settle for less when it comes to her baby? That’s when she found HiPP Dutch.

‘‘I've never fed my son anything except for HiPP formula ever. And I wouldn't… My son is happy, healthy, thriving. He's hit milestones and then blown past them. So he's really a testament to, you know, this works… and it's okay if breastfeeding isn't for you. And if it doesn't fit your family's needs, that's okay.’’
- Hayley

The strict EU organic standards that formula brands like HiPP are subject to totally erased Hayley’s uncertainty about formula feeding and gave her peace of mind that her son was getting pure, wholesome nutrition designed to mimic breast milk. 

HiPP Dutch is an organic cow’s milk formula with a recipe based on insights from the brand's very own Human Milk Research Group. It features gentle lactose-only carbohydrates, pre- and probiotics for gut and immune health, DHA for a brain boost, and essential vitamins and minerals to balance it all out. The line comes in several stages, made to reflect the compositional changes of breast milk, so your little one gets nutrition tailored to each of their major milestones.

The best part? Her son gets a science-backed formula made to some of the world’s highest infant nutrition and safety standards, and Hayley gets the relief that she didn’t have to compromise; every sip her son takes is filled with ingredients she stands by, and as an Organic’s Best Ambassador, she wants other parents to know that this can be their reality too. 

‘‘My main reason for wanting to share with people is that… I wanted to immediately provide an out for cancer patients… we have options. I'm so happy to be here and so happy to have found Organic’s Best.’’
- Hayley

So what’s next for Hayley on her feeding journey? Baby number two is on the way after an unexpected miracle! Find out how this blessing came about and hear more about her resilience as a mother and breast cancer survivor by watching her story above.

Our ambassador program is built around the premise that every feeling journey matters. We believe the most powerful way to support parents is to share real feeding stories so other families can relate to or learn from them. If you’re interested in being a part of this community, you can apply to be an ambassador here.