I grew up with a mother who successfully breastfed 4 of her 7 children. When I was pregnant with my first baby she told me that breastfeeding was the only way to go. She said that she had noticed several differences between the health of her children that she breastfed and the ones she didn’t. I followed her advice even though it seemed pretty hard for my baby to latch on and I stuck with it. He is now a healthy and happy two year old and has never even had an ear infection. I also remember as a child visiting the neonatal unit where my uncle was a doctor and seeing all the sick babies. After doing some research on the internet and discovering that I could donate my milk (which I have an abundance of with my second child) I decided to donate. I want to help those who cannot help themselves. Every child deserves the best possible start in life.
Samantha Long – Utah
When my best friend called to tell me that she was pregnant with her third child, I had just found out I was pregnant with my first one and only due a few weeks later. Melinda was passionate about nursing her children, and I watched her nurse her first two countless times. When her son and my daughter were 3 months old, Melinda was diagnosed with breast cancer. And once her chemotherapy was started, she was told that she couldn’t nurse her son anymore, yet another crushing blow and her heart was broken again. When she called to tell me, I asked if there was anything in the world I could do. She wanted to know if I had any frozen breast milk that I’d be willing to give her for her son. I didn’t at the time (I was a “stay at home mom” and never thought I would need much extra), but without hesitation I told her I would start pumping that day. I continued to do it until her son was a year old. At my best friend’s funeral 6 months later, so many women that I didn’t even know came up to me telling me how Melinda had told them what I had done and how much it meant to her. I was embarrassed at first, not realizing that she’d told so many people, but also proud at the same time. So, with my second child, I decided that what better way could I honor Melinda’s memory than by helping those who can’t give their babies their own precious breast milk either. It was so important to Melinda, and it makes it even that much more important to me.
Kenzi Larson – Texas
I became a breast milk donor because breast milk is the most magical thing there is. It’s absolutely amazing that we’re more or less constructed to have the perfect mix of food for our babies and make them the healthiest they can be. Now, most things in life have not come easy for me, but both my sons latched on easily and are expert nursers. I seem to have just the right body to produce lots of milk. I know this is not the case for others and I want to help more babies start at the starting line with the healthiest bodies, minds, and spirits they can muster. It would break my heart if I wasn’t able to somehow give my kid’s breast milk (from my own body or from a donor). I donate so someone who can’t give it from their body can give it from their heart.
Christie Anastasia – Alaska
My son was born at 33 weeks by cesarean due to hypertension, weighing in at 4lbs 9oz. He quickly dropped to 4lbs 1oz overnight. He had to work too hard for colostrum and wasn’t getting enough to eat. It took nearly 5 days for my milk to come in. So we had to supplement him with formula and what little I was pumping, though I truly didn’t want him to have formula. For me carrying my precious liquid gold to the nursery for his feedings, I was so careful not to miss or spill a drop, knowing how important it was. When my milk came in I could feed an army of babies I thought. Logan came home drinking only 20cc’s and not strong enough to nurse. He was born October 20, 2008 and by the November 11, 2008 I had over 500 ounces frozen I had ran out of room in my freezer, so started to pump and dump. For me I wanted to cry every time I poured milk down the drain. Thinking of all the babies out there who could benefit from what I was throwing away. Then the thought came to mind to look up donating from my lactation consultant who was absolutely amazed that I was pumping 16oz a pumping session. And by this point my son only ate 2-3oz a feeding. She called me a super milking mom!! When I came across Milkin’ Mamas I knew this is was I needed to do. And considering my son couldn’t nurse until he was 6 weeks old and I had to return to work I have never put the pump down. It has to work for 20 minutes a session, 8 sessions a day on top of nursing. I have just become a qualified donor and plan on emptying out my freezer only to fill it up again. Now maybe I’ll have some room for my food. This to me is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. I know just how important it is for preemies to get a good start and I’m proud to be a part of that.
Brittney Jump – Maryland
I first heard about the milk bank from my midwife- Candace Leach. I loved the idea of being able to participate in such a program. My son, Paul was born November 17, 2007. My desire to breast feed as soon as he was born was made possible with the help of a fabulous nurse named Dana. I had been induced, labored 42 hours, and eventually had a cesarean. Although many aspects of my birth had not gone as planned, I am grateful for the opportunity to quickly bond and be alone with my baby. Paul latched on quickly and gained weight steadily. When he was a couple weeks old, I started pumping to prepare for returning to work as a full time teacher. Before long, my freezer was filling up and that’s when I became a donor on-line. Now that I am back at work, I feel comforted to know my son is being nourished with milk I am able to supply to him. I also treasure the bonding we have in the evenings when I am home. Even more, I get to be empowered by the opportunity to share my milk with other babies in need. I know there are many situations where breastfeeding can be a challenge. I am excited to be a donor and to share in the amazing privilege of being a milk donor.
Kamisha Sullivan - California
I have two children, a son who is three and an infant daughter. Before I became a mom I have visions that I would give birth and that my children would latch on immediately with no issues. When my son was born we had issues. I was induced three weeks early with him due to preeclampsia. I was medicated after giving birth and basically incoherent for the first 24 hours of his life. I was hospitalized for the first week of his life recovering. Although he was healthy, I was not. I believe that the situation had something to do with the fact that I was not successful with nursing the first time around. After working with the hospital lactation consultants we still didn’t make much progress, so I pumped for his first 3.5 months. I wanted him to receive the benefits of breast milk. He received nothing but breast milk. However I reluctantly stopped pumping. If I could turn back the clock, I truly believe I would have tried again and again until we were successful. Throughout his first year he had chronic ear infections and at a year and a half he had pneumonia and a series of issues with allergies. We spent so much time with doctors during his first few years. I then vowed that my next child would be breastfed for at least the first year. I made the joke that if I had to spend the first few months with a lactation consultant I would. This time I started nursing my daughter minutes after birth. It was a normal complication-free birth. It took some time but within a few days we were on track, and when I did need help the hospital lactation consultants were only a phone call or short drive away. Breastmilk is best. My daughter is 5 months old and has yet to visit the pediatrician for anything other than a well baby visit. She is healthy. She is thriving. This time around is so much different than with my son. I truly believe it’s because she is breastfed. The benefits of breast milk are unmatched! As a donor I wanted to give needy babies the nutrition and benefits of breast milk. It is the best start in life, especially for the recipients of the donor milk. There is nothing better!
Beth Yelowitz – Kentucky
I became a breast milk donor for two reasons. One, it’s a tradition in my family. My maternal grandmother actually paid part of her hospital bill when my uncle was born with donated milk for a pair of premies born while she was there. Second, it’s a Karmic Thank You for coming from that line of good milkers. I have been so blessed with both of my babies: both are so healthy and breastfeeding has been easy and natural for us; pure joy. I felt the need to share some of that luck and abundance with those less fortunate.
Jacelin Colosky – Texas
Phew…it feels so good to have some room in my freezer and to be helping babies. I’ve been watching Oprah’s Big Give and there’s so much more stuff we can all be doing for one another, we just have to figure out where we can “plug-in” to this planet. As a mother of two small children, what I do for others has decreased due to the needs of my own family. Donating this milk really helps fill that desire in my heart. God has blessed me with two wonderful healthy children and so far an abundance of milk. “To whom much is given, much is expected” my mama always said. Thanks for the opportunity to participate with you girls in this service to babies.
Susan Kelley – South Carolina
It didn’t take long after I dressed my 1 1/2 month old child in 6-9 month clothing to realize the truth in what others had been saying to me – I must have some power-packed breast milk! And since I ended up throwing away 32 oz of milk per day with my first child, I knew that my new baby, Bryce, would never be able to keep up with his over productive mother either. Although I knew that I didn’t want throw away more milk again, I was told by many that donating milk was not likely an option in the United States. Finally, after waking up one morning with breasts full enough to feed the entire neighborhood, I decided to look it up for myself. I was thrilled to see that I could turn my seeming problem into a benefit for babies in need! I’m proud to be a “Milkin’ Mama”…and thrilled to reclaim all the space in my freezer! No longer crying over spilt milk.
Nicole “Mega Milker” Maddox – Connecticut
I never really gave much thought to how important and special breast milk was until I got pregnant. During my pregnancy I read all that I could, wanting to be the best mom I could be, and all the literature screamed that breast feeding was the best thing you could do for your baby. My daughter Bailey, now 5 months old has had nothing but breast milk, and I wouldn’t want it any other way (I don’t think she would either). I started pumping when she was about 4 weeks old, wanting to prepare her for when I went back to work part time. Pumping was easy for me and I ended up with a lot of extra milk. I didn’t have enough room in my own freezer to store the milk so I was constantly taking it over to my parent’s house to store and bringing it back when I needed it. I thought about donating when Bailey was about 2-3 months old and began searching the internet. There were a lot of different organizations, but I chose Milkin’ Mamas because the milk stayed in the US as well as went to preemies. I’m so glad I did! I’ve always wanted to be able to help more in terms of charities, and donating milk is a way I can give back and help preemie babies.
Meagan Myers – New York
When my son was born 4 weeks premature it was a very trying time. We took him home from the hospital jaundiced and weighing only about 4lbs 14oz, less than a bag of sugar, and yet we knew we were determined to give him the best start in life. For us that meant breastfeeding exclusively. He was very hard to feed at first. He had a weak suck and was overwhelmed by my breast, but we stuck with it and he is now a robust 5 month old boy. In those early days I pumped daily to keep my supply up and get relief and as the time was running out for that milk to still be useful to my son I thought it would be a crime to throw it away. I became a donor to help the premies who are in much worse condition that my son ever was and continue to donate as I can.
Maura Redmond – California
I had to return to teaching full time when our daughter Annabelle was 5 months old. I wanted to continue breastfeeding and hoped to be able to pump enough milk so that we wouldn’t have to supplement with formula. Her pediatrician warned me that I probably wouldn’t be able to work full-time and breastfeed exclusively. Many of my colleagues discouraged me from putting myself in a situation of having to pump during my work day. In spite of this I was determined to do whatever it took to try to give Annabelle this precious “liquid gold”. I pumped three times a day during the week and at least once on the weekends. I was so fortunate that I was able to supply enough milk for Annabelle, and constantly reminded myself of how lucky we were. I know of so many moms who wanted desperately to be able to breastfeed their sweet babies but weren’t able to. I feel as though the time I spend breastfeeding Annabelle is some of the most precious bonding time we have together. When Annabelle was about 10 1/2 months old she decided to stop drinking milk during the day while she was away from me. I found myself with extra frozen milk as well as fresh milk that she wasn’t using. After having to dump two bottles I told myself there had to be someone out there who could use our milk. I am so glad that we found Milkin’ Mamas and that we can share our extra milk with some special babies who need it.
JoAnna Sero – New York
I have to be honest and say that I never thought that I’d still be breastfeeding my son at 8 months. None of the women in my family had ever breastfed any of their babies, so I was reluctant at first. I had such a hard time getting started that I wondered if I’d last three months! My son and I finally got the hang of it and I found myself looking forward to feeding times. It was, and still is, a way for me to just sit, relax and be with my son. I enjoy the quiet time that we’re able to spend together and the fact that I’m providing the perfect nutrients for his little body makes the time even more special. It breaks my heart to think that there are mothers out there that physically cannot breastfeed their babies even if they wanted to. It also breaks my heart to think that there are very ill or preterm babies out there that need the nutrition of breast milk. These are the reasons that I decided to donate. I feel very fortunate to be able to share the wonderful benefits of breast milk with the little ones that need it.
Casey Golovko – California
I have been nursing my son for 14 months now, which he still very much enjoys and gets most of his nourishment from. I remember reading about breast milk donation when he was a newborn, but I was feeling so overwhelmed at the time with trying to meet his near constant demands that I decided that it wasn’t for me. The idea of giving this magical substance to babies who need it the most really pulled on my heart strings, but I simply didn’t have the energy or determination to make a commitment back then. I totally forgot about it until about a month ago when I noticed an ad for Milkin’ Mamas on a forum website. All the feelings of compassion and warmth I had felt towards the babies I’d be giving my milk to came back full force. Now that my son is older and not a source of stress for me anymore, it feels natural to give this amazing source of nutrition to babies whose bodies and minds will be extremely grateful for it. I plan on letting my son, Quantum, wean himself and since that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon I am excited about being a regular donor for months or even years to come. I’m reminded of an old Zen parable that’s called “The Giver Should Be Thankful” for there has never been a gift that I have given that comes close to the level of thankfulness I feel for being given the privilege of being a breast milk donor.
Laura Cade – Washington
I first saw the Milkin’ Mamas site when my son was only a couple of months old. I thought then, “No way am I doing that. As it is now, I’m worried about whether or not my son is getting enough milk. I can’t afford to give it away.” But when it came time to have to throw it away, I felt really bad. What a waste! Knowing my son will be weaning now that he’s starting solid foods, I figured I could now afford to donate my milk. I feel good knowing it’s getting used since I’m not doing anything with it. It’s selfish of me to NOT donate since I KNOW I do have a lot of extra milk. It does feel good knowing I can provide milk for my baby and others who need breast milk.
Francine Orozco – California
The trip to the trash can was a difficult walk to make as I held 300 ounces of breast milk expiring and just didn’t know what to do with it. It all went down the shoot, and I don’t remember ever feeling so guilty. Shortly after disposing of the breast milk I read an article about Milkin’ Mamas. I immediately contacted them and have been on the course of pumping for babies in need since then. I think it is a wonderful thing as a community and as women bonding for the future of the worlds’ children that we can do something as small as donating our unused breast milk to help those in need. It’s so refreshing to meet kind and sincere people like Keri and Alice that made the effort of initiation to be a tool to those who have and those who need. I recommend any one who is breast feeding or still lactating to donate anything they can, every little bit helps.
Kellye Dawn – California
