A little over a year ago I caught a glimpse of a news program about breast milk donation. Since then I have seen the same information presented on Oprah and other various news programs. I found myself investigating the process online. For anyone who has pumped breast milk you may be thinking, why would I subject myself to voluntary pumping. This was certainly my first reaction. Pumping is time consuming and a little painful. Then I learned that the donated milk went to help sick and premature infants in the NICU here in the U.S. and to babies with Aids in Africa. My heart told me this was a cause worth supporting.
Upon the birth of our third child, Carley, I began the application process. It involved a blood test, DNA test, and gathering documents from my doctor and Carley’s pediatrician. I pumped daily for almost 4 months while waiting to be an accepted donor. My coolers arrived just last week. The final count was 426 ounces. I was hoping to collect enough milk to feed an infant for a month. I estimate the milk I donated will provide an infant with 18 days of breast milk. Though the process was long, somewhat painful, and inconvenient, I would do it again. I will never meet the infant who receives my milk, but I hope it will give him or her a better chance at life.
If you are interested in supporting the breastmilk project with a milk or financial donation log onto www.breastmilkproject.com
