Meet Our Moms

Jennifer
New York, NY

Ashley
Pennsylvania

On June 14th, 2006 I had my first son, Bryce. Bryce was only 2lbs, 8 oz at birth because he was born 10 weeks early. My husband and I were in a state of shock upon his early arrival. It was obviously very unexpected and since we were first time parents who still hadn't even had time to take child birthing and breastfeeding classes we felt very unprepared. That summer was the longest of my life. Finally, after 51 days of basically living at the hospital, we were finally able to take our healthy baby boy home.

During our NICU journey I did have the unique opportunity to learn beyond the "basics of breastfeeding and caring for a new baby." I would spend my entire day at my baby's bedside. During that time I would speak with nurses, doctors, and lactation consultants. I felt helpless in those first days/weeks because Bryce was too small for me to care for. That's when I discovered the importance of breast milk. It made me feel so good inside to be able to pump milk for my baby. I knew that was something no one but me could give my premature baby. From this I learned of the monumental benefits of breast milk, especially for babies that are born prematurely. I was very fortunate and was able to produce so much milk that very quickly my deep freezer was filled to over capacity.

A friend shared with me an article about milk donation after I explained to her about my overabundance of milk. I was so excited to find out that my extra milk could be used for babies who wouldn't otherwise receive breast milk. Then in 2008 I had my second son and actually started researching milk donation before he was even born. That's when I discovered the International Breast Milk Project. It was everything that I wanted to be a part of. As soon as I had my son I began pumping extra during the day for milk donation. With my 3rd son who was born this past January, I again signed up to donate and am a continuing donor. It makes me feel so good inside to be able to share something so special to babies who are in need. I know firsthand of the magic of breast milk. I really believe that because Bryce had momma's milk in those first days of his tiny life was the reason why he did so well and continues to do so. He is now a very healthy and active 5 year old who has no negative side effects of his prematurity.

Elisabeth
New Jersey

I went into premature labor at 33 weeks. It was a very traumatic experience. I ended up delivering a baby boy who weighed 4 lbs 13 oz. Although he was premature, he was in fairly good health and only had to be on oxygen for less than 24 hours. But he would stay the next three weeks in the NICU while he learned to eat and grow. As soon as I gave birth, the nurses asked me if I wanted to breastfeed and I said yes. They set me up with a breast pump and told me that my baby would have to be fed from a feeding tube until the nurses felt like he was ready to try and be put to the breast. They told me to pump every three hours, and that is what I did. I was so upset that I had to leave the hospital without my son, and the one thing that made me feel connected to him was the fact that I could give him breast milk. I would set my alarm every night for 3am and 6am and I literally pumped every three hours while he was in the hospital. Once he was ready to be put to my breast, he was an amazing breast feeder! I was so proud of him! I continued to pump even after I would feed him at the hospital. Because of this, I amassed quite a large amount of breast milk. When Beckett was finally able to leave the NICU, the nurses gave me BAGS filled with my frozen milk. And when I continued to breastfeed him at home, I would also pump because my supply was so great. I ended up buying a separate freezer because there was so much milk! Once I realized how much extra I had, I really wanted to do something with it. I didn't just want to have my own freezer stash -- I wanted to help others. I did some searches on the Internet and found the International Breast Milk Project. It appealed to me because it helped premature babies, and I really wanted to help other moms who went through the same experiences I did. I feel like there are so many supporters of breastfeeding, but there are also just as many naysayers who think that formula is just as good or even better. I truly believe that breast milk is what helped my little man thrive. He is now nine months and completely healthy. I know that he is so because of breast milk. It is truly a lifesaver.

Jessica
Virgina

I donated my breastmilk because I still remember how scared I was when at 25 weeks I went into premature labor. I was in a state of shock. I couldn't believe it was happening to me since up to this point my pregnancy had been perfectly healthy. Thankfully, the perinatalogists who were taking care of my baby and me were able to stop my labor for almost six more weeks. However, my little man still decide to arrive over nine weeks early and had to spend 5 weeks in the NICU. My husband and I were so thankful that he was born big for his age (4 lbs 10 oz at 30 wks, 5 days) and that he had no complications beyond simply being born too early. He grew steadily, with the help of human milk fortifier added to my breast milk, and we hoped that we would have him home with us by Christmas (he was born in early November). Yet until the day he could go home it was heart wrenching leaving him every day, attached to seemingly endless tubing and wiring, in the hospital praying that nothing unexpected would happen before we saw him next.

At home, I was pumping religiously every two to three hours to make sure he would have enough. I was blessed from the beginning to have a very abundant milk supply so soon the NICU had more of my milk than they knew what to do with. I ended up simply putting it in my extra freezer at home. By the time, William came home I had over two shelves of my upright freezer full of breastmilk. Once home, William took to breastfeeding like he'd always been doing it and since I was going to be able to stay home with him, I had no use for the extra breastmilk. Yet I knew from what the NICU nurses had said that there was a high demand for breastmilk for preemies who's mothers weren't able to produced enough so I couldn't just toss it away. Thus, I researched how to donate milk and chose the Breastmilk Project because it not only would turn my milk into human milk fortifier but a percentage of it would be shipped to Africa to help the preemies and other children in need of it. While I hope I never have to go through having a baby in the NICU again, if I do I plan on donating my additional milk again.

I knew how important breastmilk was for preemies and wanted to make sure it didn't go to waste. When I saw that your program sent a percentage of the milk to South Africa in addition to sending it to Prolacta to be turned into human milk fortifier (which my son needed while in the NICU), I chose you to donate through. I was able to send enough milk to fill two large containers.

While I hope my next pregnancy does not end in pre-term labor, if it does I intend to resign up to donate my milk.

Sabrinna
Maryland

I am a mother of a beautiful baby girl born prematurely at 29 weeks. I have always known that I planned to breastfeed my child and just prayed that I would be able to produce enough to satisfy her hunger and keep her growing. While my daughter was in the NICU I stayed pumping on a 3 hour schedule religiously. The NICU told me several times how lucky I was to produce an abundance of milk like I did and that I should look into donating. So that was when the idea was planted.

My little one came home when she was 36 weeks and caught RSV one week after coming home. After a near fatal experience and her being admitted back into the hospital I realized even more the difference that breast milk makes in a baby's life, especially a preemie. The doctors told me that if it were not for me breastfeeding her and that she received the vaccination (that doesn't prevent it obviously), the RSV could have been much worse and stayed in her system longer. Thankfully God saw my husband and I through that hard time. Shortly after she returned home I begin searching for a place where I could donate the abundance of milk I had and give another baby a fighting chance like mine. Now my baby girl is 7 months old and almost 14lbs. I believe every baby deserves a chance!!

Nikcole
Illinois

I became a mother back in 2007 to my son, Caleb. I remember breastfeeding him almost immediately after he was born! What an important moment that was! I didn't know it then, but it was also the beginning of something very special! I am a former 5th grade teacher and became a stay-at-home mom after Caleb was born. So, one day, going about my usual activities with my newborn son, I stumbled across an Oprah show about The International Breast Milk Project! It was hook, line, and sinker! I knew this was such a great cause and something that was so dear to my heart, nursing! I just loved being a breastfeeding mother so much! I knew from the moment that I found out I was pregnant with my son that I would breastfeed all my children! There didn't seem like any other option for me! I had heard all the stories of how hard it is and of how painful etc, but I knew I would be able to do it! I am super stubborn in that way! It was what was best for my child! Contrary to all the stories that I heard, for me it was "love at first latch"! I ended up nursing my son for 16 months and now I have a beautiful daughter, Saralyn, to share that same emotional bond! To this day neither of my kids has ever had a drop of formula! That is something that I am very proud of!

Knowing how special my milk was to my own children, I wanted to share my liquid gold with other less fortunate children who needed it so desperately! With a little effort, I knew that I could easily donate a TON of milk! Et VOILA...that is exactly what I did and am doing now! The total amount of ounces that I have donated with my son and now with my daughter knocks me off my feet every time I hear it! It creates a special feeling inside to know that my milk can help so many other little ones! It is a feeling like no other to give such a special gift that only a mother can give!

Kiana
New York

When I got pregnant with my first baby I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I had heard many stories, but I was determined to nurse knowing the benefits to the baby. When my son was born we made it through many nursing issues in the beginning. I had a lot of pain, blisters, cracks and ended up with mastitis. I stayed strong and kept it up the entire time. When my son was a couple of months old they thought he was allergic to the milk protein allergy so I ended up changing my diet to exclude dairy. It didn't get better so I continued to cut things out of my diet. After a few months and many specialists, they wanted to put him on formula. I did it for about a month to see if he was better. He was, but I was determined to bring breast milk back into his diet. So I found a breastfeeding friendly specialist who helped me work breast milk back into his diet slowly. At about 6 months he wouldn't nurse again directly so I ended up pumping for about 7 months and giving him the breast milk in a bottle. I ended up having a lot of extra pumped milk and I knew I would never use it so I did some research and found the International Breast Milk Project. I could not believe how easy it was to donate. Every aspect of it was completely easy for me. I did not have to leave my house at all. Someone came to me to take blood whenever worked for my schedule and they shipped everything to me that I needed. The directions were very easy to understand and it was just so easy, even as far as the pickup of the milk. FedEx came to my door at the time I told them to and picked up the milk. I was amazed how easy it was! I felt so incredible after the milk left my doorstep. It just felt so good knowing I was helping tiny babies who were struggling to survive!

So far, I have sent two shipments already this time around and it felt just as good as the first time to help out!

I am so happy I could help with this incredible project! I am a huge breastfeeding supporter and truly do believe in the benefits of breast milk. To be able to do this is such a blessing, and IBMP makes it so easy to help all you have to do is pump and they do the rest for you!

Kayte
North Carolina

My daughter was born with a birth defect called gastroschisis, where her intestines were on the outside of her body. Breast milk was the BEST thing for her to have to survive & heal. She couldn't eat for the first few weeks of her life so I had to pump. I struggled to be able to breast feed, & we had so many problems with it, but I nursed her until 14.5 months old. I found out about IBMP when I was pregnant with my son. I grew up in South Africa & had a baby in the NICU...when I found out that IBMP provides milk to American NICU babies & children in Africa, I wanted to help too! My son was born healthy & breastfeeding came easily. Instead of struggling to pump enough milk to feed my child, I was suddenly pumping extra milk to feed other babies. Donating for over a year was the most rewarding & even healing experience for me. As the mother of a NICU baby, I understand first hand the importance of breast milk, & I will always be grateful to IBMP for giving me the opportunity to nourish children in need.

Joan P.
New Jersey

I believe all babies deserve the best shot at living their best and healthiest life. I believe that is what I wanted for my baby and that's why I breastfeed him. I also believe that all babies should have that opportunity. So, that is why I donate my breast milk to the International Breast Milk Project.

My son Daniel is a miracle baby. He was born in the middle of a blizzard and I did not make it to the hospital. I birthed him myself in the front passenger seat of my car. I remember thinking... praying if he turns out ok and if I turn out ok that there is nothing I would do not to ensure I give him all life's most important stuff.

As I worried in the first days of his life whether I would be able to breastfeed him, I again thought and prayed. If I were given the blessing of being able to fulfill my promise to give him life's most important stuff, then I would help other babies also have a chance at life's most important stuff: the blessing of having a mother's milk even when it may not be from your own mother.