I am 30 years old, married, and a mother to two wo
nderful little girls. My oldest daughter Chloe is 5-years-old and my baby Claire is now 9-months-old.
For the past five years, I have been a Labor and Delivery/Nursery nurse and am also working on a master’s degree in Family Practice. At my job, all staff members were required to take a certification class on Breastfeeding Education in hopes of increasing awareness for new moms to breastfeed their newborns.
My profession allows me to see firsthand all kinds of babies under different circumstances. Premature babies are especially vulnerable to illness with obstacles to overcome. Breastfed babies are often healthier; however, I know mothers can do everything right and still not be able to breastfeed their baby.
I was able to breastfed Chloe for three months before my milk dried up for no apparent reason. With Claire, I was so lucky to have had a very good milk supply and was able to continue breastfeeding. When I realized I was producing more milk than she could drink, there was no question as to do anything but donate it.
I learned about The Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas through a referral by Arkansas Children's Hospital and have greatly enjoyed the experience of becoming a donor. Thus far, I have donated 608 ounces to the Milk Bank. Claire attends daycare regularly and I am so fortunate she has been so healthy this year. I believe breastfeeding has contributed to this and I truly hope other babies are receiving the same benefits.