From NICU Mom to Milk Donor, Twice Over: Saira's Story
Saira is a two-time NICU mom and second-time milk donor. She has donated nearly 5,000 ounces of her extra breastmilk and says it is one of the most meaningful things she has ever done. Saira explains,
“I decided to become a milk donor because I had an oversupply while breastfeeding my own baby and realized there are many infants in NICUs or with medical conditions who desperately need human milk to thrive. I wanted to support other families going through difficult times and knew that something my body was naturally producing could make a real difference in a vulnerable baby’s life.”
Saira’s first baby was born prematurely at 24 weeks and spent three long months in the NICU. This unexpected first chapter of parenthood was an emotional rollercoaster of fear, hope, exhaustion and love. Being a part of the NICU world and experiencing the power of donor milk ultimately shaped Saira’s desire to help. She says,
“Our NICU journey had a profound impact on my decision to become a milk donor. Seeing firsthand how fragile and vulnerable premature babies are—and how critical breast milk was to their development—opened my eyes to the importance of donor milk. We were lucky to receive donor milk during the early days when my supply hadn’t fully come in, and I never forgot how much that meant to us. Once I had an established supply, I knew I wanted to give back and help other families going through what we went through.”
Her second son, Adam, was full term, but had some breathing issues which required CPAP respiratory support. It was a reminder how unpredictable and fragile those early days can be. Saira says, “After everything we’ve been through, it means so much to be able to help other families who are facing their own challenges in the NICU and beyond.”
With significant experience as a donor under her belt, Saira offers some tips for moms who want to help other babies with their extra milk:
“My biggest piece of advice is to be patient with yourself. Pumping on top of caring for your own baby can be exhausting, so give yourself grace. Set a routine that works for you, and don’t compare your output to others — every ounce matters. Also, stay organized! Label and freeze your milk right away and keep a simple log so you don’t get overwhelmed when it’s time to ship or drop it off. And lastly, remind yourself often why you’re doing it — you’re literally helping save lives. That’s something to be proud of!”
Saira’s remarkable story of walking the NICU path twice, followed by donating thousands of ounces breastmilk is a testament to her resilience, compassion and unwavering commitment to helping other fragile babies thrive.
