Mother’s Milk – The Gift of Life
May 3 2007

When people ask me why I donated to the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin, the first thought that comes to my mind is “For hope.  The hope that a fragile new baby has for survival.  The hope that his/her family hangs on to that they will bring them home soon.” 

When my first child was born over 4 1/2 years ago my life changed drastically.  Although our son was a healthy, full-term baby, I felt overwhelmed and had challenges establishing breast feeding.  I couldn’t even imagine what parents of sick, premature, and fragile infants had to deal with emotionally and physically.  When my daughter was born just over 2 years ago, breastfeeding was easier and I pumped a substantial amount of excess milk.  I didn’t want to throw away what is often referred to as ‘liquid gold,’ so I got in touch with the milk bank to learn more. 

After a quick phone screen, written approvals from my OB and our daughter’s pediatrician, and a blood test, I was approved.  I collected the milk in the containers provided by the milk bank, froze them, transported them in a cooler and dropped them off at a nearby hospital.  It was really easy.  My daughter often came with me to make the drops, and I was able to transport cooler, stroller, and baby with ease.  She would often slap the cooler and laugh/smile as we strolled up to the nurses station. 🙂 The milk bank also coordinates pick up days/times for those who do not have easy access to a drop off location.

Before I knew it, I had donated just over 500 oz which I later learned put me in a high volume donor category!  After I finished donating, MMBA sent me a wonderful certificate (now in her yet-to-be-completed baby book) made out to my daughter thanking her for sharing her milk with other babies.  I know she’ll feel good about being able to help other babies.  I know it’s strange but I looked at the certificate and looked at her and felt proud that we were able to help, together as mother and daughter, bring hope to people who were relying on hope to get them through each day.

During one visit to the milk bank, I took a tour and was fascinated to see how they collected, pasteurized, mixed, and stored the milk to specifications ideal for premature and sick babies.  It was amazing to see how my and other women’s milk could be used to help potentially save the life of a baby and make those fragile infants first days of life a little more comfortable.  Mother’s milk is less likely to upset their little tummies and more likely to give them energy to grow faster and get better sooner.  If you are interested in donating, there are milk banks located in the US and around the world who can give you more information on how best to share your ‘liquid gold.’  It’s a great thing to do and feels great doing it!

Aruni

The Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin (MMBA) is a nonprofit organization that accepts donations of breastmilk from healthy breastfeeding women, pasteurizes the milk, and dispenses it by prescription to premature and sick infants, primarily those in the hospital. MMBA is one of several milk banks in North America that is a member, and therefore follows the standards and guidelines, of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Medical research clearly shows that premature infants are 6 to 10 times more likely to develop life-threatening intestinal diseases if fed formula instead of human breastmilk. If their own mothers are unable to provide milk for them, pasteurized donor milk is the next best choice.

Author: Aruni | Filed under: breastfeeding, milk banking, pumping | 3 Comments »

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