Hope Heinz
Plano, TX
I first heard about the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas after my oldest son turned 1 years old; however, I didn’t become a donor until after my second son, Marshall, was born.
He was born a month early, only weighing 4 pounds and 2 ounces. He spent eleven days in the NICU before we were able to bring him home. It was really important for me to be able to breastfeed him, so I worked with a lactation consultant and pumped like crazy! I made sure to consistently pump every 2 to 4 hours a day. After four months of hard work and determination, Marshall was able to successfully breastfeed on his own, and I had a freezer full of more milk than Marshall would ever need!
Having a child in the NICU allowed me to appreciate the importance of human milk and the benefits it has on a child’s health. It is the most natural and complete resource you can give your child. It provides them with the antibodies and nutrition they need in order to grow strong and healthy and gives them added protection from many acute and chronic illnesses. There is even some evidence that children who are breastfed may have higher IQs and a reduced risk of SIDS, which is something that we all want for our children. Breastmilk is amazing because it is perfectly tailored to the child’s nutritional needs at each stage of infancy.
Breastfeeding was also a wonderful way for me to bond with both of my children. It has been such a special experience for me because it is something that only I can provide him; it has allowed us to really connect. Not to mention it was the perfect way to calm or soothe them when they became upset.
When I decided to become a donor, The Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas made the process very easy and the drop-off locations are accessible. From my experience, I know that breastmilk benefits tiny preemies in the NICU, and I can appreciate what the Milk Bank does for those babies in need. It really makes me feel good that my donation has been able to help make many NICU babies healthier and give them the best start possible.
I was very lucky to have strong support from a lactation consultant, and I highly encourage all moms who can to breastfeed or pump. If you are a new mom and having trouble breastfeeding for any reason, don’t give up! With the right support you can do it! At times it can be challenging, but the benefits for both you and your child are priceless!