25 Sept 2012

A Story of Peace and Healing


Breastfeeding using a Lact-Aid supplementer

This touching, personal milksharing journey was submitted by Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC and blogger at Normal, Like Breathing

If you’ve visited my blog before, you know that I believe in human milk for human babies, and I have a deep understanding and empathy for those mothers who can’t or choose not to breastfeed their babies, for whatever reason.  This week, World Milksharing Week, offers a perfect opportunity to highlight a beautiful story of love and healing, of generosity and peace that have been made possible by the gifts of milk donors.

First, be sure to check out this comprehensive report about mother-to-mother milksharing, by Amber McCann, IBCLC, and, from the International Breastfeeding Journal, Milk sharing: from private practice to public pursuit.

Stephanie was heartbroken after her first baby, Isaiah, was born and she realized she couldn’t make enough milk to meet his nutritional needs and sustain his growth.  A condition called mammary hypoplasia/insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) made it so that she could only produce about 4 ounces of milk each day; she had to supplement Isaiah’s intake with something other than her own milk, and at the time, commercially-prepared baby milk (formula) was, as far as she knew, her only option.  “I knew there was such a thing as donor breastmilk, but I thought it was only for sick babies,” Stephanie explains.  “We supplemented with just about every formula under the sun,” Stephanie recalls.  Isaiah had an undiagnosed cow’s milk protein intolerance; watching him suffer, and knowing the cow’s milk-based formula was likely to blame was very difficult.  Stephanie felt as if her body had failed her baby, and every day, every supplemental feeding, the pain of this feeling was new.  “When I was pregnant again, I heard about mother-to-mother milk sharing on the IGT support page on Facebook and immediately knew this was what I wanted to do.”
Stephanie's long hair flows around her shoulder's as she breastfeeds.
Stephanie breastfeeding baby Elliot

Several dozen packages of frozen breast milk laid out.
The gift of donated milk fills more than the freezer, it fills the hearts of both the donor and recipient families.

During her pregnancy, Stephanie began visiting and posting her story to various mother-to-mother milksharing websites, such as Eats on Feets, Human Milk 4 Human Babies, and MilkShare.  She met profound empathy, generosity, and support in these online communities, and, over time, received donated milk from more than 10 mothers in 5 states – over 4000 ounces total.  Her first connection, however, was to a mother named Shelly.

Shelly lives an hour away from Stephanie, in southern Maine.  The first time she traveled to pick up the milk Shelly was donating to her and her baby, Elliot, Stephanie had to ask friends to loan her coolers – six of them – so they’d be able to keep all of the milk cold on the trip home.  “I couldn’t believe it!  Our 7 cubic-foot freezer was nearly full after that first donation!”  In her two trips to Shelly’s house, Stephanie acquired over 3000 ounces of milk.

The milk wasn’t all Shelly shared, however, and it wasn’t the only thing Stephanie and Elliot gained.  The two families became friendly, the dads enjoying each other’s company while the moms gathered Shelly’s milk and supervised their little ones, who, at the last pick-up, were delighted by an impromptu play-date.  “The connection was immediate, we clicked,” Stephanie says.  “It felt right.  The thought that a mother — and her child — would care so much as to aid us in our goals is truly heartwarming. The generosity that she has bestowed upon us leaves me in tears every time I think about it. We could never be grateful enough for the hearts of these mothers.”
Portrait of the donor and recipient families together.
Shelly with her children, left, with Stephanie and Elliot, right, at the last milk pick-up
For Stephanie, the ability to nourish Elliot on human milk alone meant a great deal to her, especially after her experience of watching Isaiah struggle with a substitute.  “No greater joy could I have than to know that, despite my severely low milk supply, my child is still able to exclusively receive the benefits of human milk. The healing that I have found with donor milk is more than I can put into words. The peace that Shelly, and all of the other wonderful donors, have given me is more than I could have ever imagined.”  Stephanie goes on to say that being able to fill an at-breast supplementer with “liquid love” (donor milk) and breastfeed Elliot, just like women without IGT do, has been life-changing for her.  “The healing I have found with this is incredible. IGT isn’t easy. There’s nothing easy about it. But what a blessing to have a nursing relationship in the first place, no matter how little I make! This has brought me so much peace.”  While her baby, now 16 months old, has weaned since about a month ago, Shelly continues to pump milk for Elliot, who is 7 months old now.  She shares in Stephanie’s desire to provide human milk through Elliot’s first year, and feels the joy of the impact she is making in Elliot’s life.
Even after that year goes by, Stephanie knows that Shelly and the other mothers who have assisted with her breastfeeding journey will hold a permanent place in her family’s heart.  She hopes her friendship with Shelly will be enduring as their children grow up and breastfeeding becomes a memory for both families.  Stephanie says “I will forever be indebted to Shelly and the other mothers who have donated their milk, time, and love.  Their giving hearts have changed my life. Shelly has helped us defy all odds. She is amazing and I am blessed having her in my life. I will never take for granted all that she has done for us. Calling her a milk donor will never be honorable enough … these moms are superheroes.”

If you have milk to donate, you have options.  Milk banks in the United States are always eager to accept milk donations, but certain requirements, such as the age of your baby, must be met.  Read more about donating to an HMBANA milk bank. 

If you’d like to share your milk with a mother and baby in need and you don’t meet the requirements for donation to a milk bank, or you would prefer a mother-to-mother arrangement, visit any of the milksharing websites that were linked above.  Be sure to adequately inform yourself and examine the risks and the benefits of feeding your baby donated human milk, and determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks for your situation and your baby. 

60 comments:

  1. Very Nice blog for learning new things, thanks for such beautiful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great Job. Hats off to your work. This sacrifice and donates is help to many small babies.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your blog is knowledgeable, thank you for sharing it with us

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the post and great tips! I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts

    ReplyDelete
  5. We offer a broad range of Top SEO services in Delhi NCR to our clients for improved online presence. Our team works delicately to generate revenue for our valuable clients.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for such a well written article. It’s full of insightful information and entertaining descriptions. Your point of view is the best among many.

    토토사이트
    온라인카지노
    파워볼사이트
    카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!.

    토토
    스포츠토토
    토토사이트
    먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's in addition a great publish which i really valued learning. It's not every day that people maintain the opportunity to discover something.

    사설토토
    온라인바카라
    파워볼
    바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know this web page gives quality based articles or reviews and extra information


    토토
    안전놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love what yyou guys are up too. This kinnd of clever work and coverage! Keep up tthe good works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.Also visit my web blog



    바카라사이트
    카지노

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again.


    카지노사이트
    홈카지노

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article 토토

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is very well written, and your points are well-expressed. I request you warmly, please, don’t ever stop writing. 릴게임

    ReplyDelete
  14. I simply wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the great information you will have here on this post. looking for good and trusted sports betting site?click the link here 경마

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome article. I enjoyed reading your articles. this can be really a good scan for me. wanting forward to reading new articles. maintain the nice work 토토

    ReplyDelete
  16. That completely turned the bubble mouse blast game around, and he was on the front foot once again.온라인카지노

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very nice article and straight to the point. Thank you. 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  18. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. I have spent a lot of my spare time reading your content. 룰렛

    ReplyDelete
  19. I need to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…
    경마사이트
    경마

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post.
    Thank you for providing this information.
    토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  21. Haai! Iemand in my Myspace-groep het hierdie webwerf met ons gedeel, so ek het dit ondersoek.
    Ek is beslis lief vir die inligting. Ek is boekmerk en sal dit ook wees
    twiet dit aan my volgelinge! Uitsonderlike blog en wonderlik
    styl en ontwerp.

    https://www.betmantoto.pro

    ReplyDelete
  22. Solo deseo decir que su artículo es asombroso.
    La claridad en tu publicación es simplemente espectacular y puedo asumir que eres un experto en este tema.
    Bueno, con su permiso, permítame tomar su feed para mantenerme actualizado con la próxima publicación.
    Un millón de gracias y, por favor, continúe con el agradable trabajo.


    https://www.safecasinosite.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hong Kong 온라인카지노 betting technique explanation + Q&A

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's really great. Thank you for providing a quality article. 스포츠토토

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. 파워볼사이트

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, great article.Really looking forward to read more. 바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have seen good contents. The content on your site is great. I am impressed. 바둑이사이트넷

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is really helpful post and very informative there is no doubt about it.

    바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for such a valuable post. I am waiting for your next post, I have enjoyed a lot reading this post keep it up.

    토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  30. You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually one thing that I think I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely broad for me. 토토

    ReplyDelete
  31. Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and in depth information you present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. 파워볼게임

    ReplyDelete
  32. Interesting stuff to read. Keep it up.
    카지노

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am really impressed with your blog article, such great & useful information you mentioned here. 온라인카지노

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have read all your posts and all are very informative. Thanks for sharing and keep it up like this.
    온라인바둑이

    ReplyDelete
  35. This great article has truly peaked my interest.
    바카라사이트윈

    ReplyDelete
  36. I read your article very well. You write very well. I'll come back again next time.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've joined your rss feed and look forward to searching for extra of your
    great post. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks 온라인카지노

    ReplyDelete

  38. I'd like to find out more? I'd like to find out some additional information. 바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very soon this website will be famous among all blogging and site-building people, due to it's nice posts
    카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your way of explaining everything in this paragraph is actually nice,
    all can simply know it, Thanks a lot.온라인카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  41. Just wish to say your article is as amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you, very interesting information.

    ReplyDelete
  43. It’s very nice. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete

  44. it was really great for me – I was looking for such a thing

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you for the very useful information.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hello, good day, this page was very enjoyable for me and I really enjoyed its content. Thank you

    ReplyDelete

  47. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends

    ReplyDelete

  49. This is really helpful post and very informative there is no doubt about it.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Your blog is awesome! So much to learn!

    ReplyDelete
  51. There is something you might be interested in.

    ReplyDelete
  52. “I really enjoyed all of articles on this website

    ReplyDelete
  53. The website loading velocity is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent info

    ReplyDelete
  55. تتخذ مؤسسة الخير بالرياض دوراً محورياً في توفير حلول عزل مبتكرة للخزانات، مما يضمن المياه نقية وصالحة للاستهلاك.
    شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض

    ReplyDelete
  56. تقدم شركة أركان الشامل مجموعة متنوعة من خدمات التنظيف
    شركة تنظيف بالدمام

    ReplyDelete