Charity Rohlfs
Midland, TX
In 
2011, I was a practicing attorney, pregnant with my daughter Emmaline. Online research educated me about breastfeeding and helped me decide to breastfeed my daughter once she was born. That’s also when I first learned about the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas.
I didn’t become a donor after Emmaline was born, but thought about the Milk Bank when a good friend lost her baby boy in October 2012. He was born at 35 weeks and wasn’t able to overcome the condition he was born with. At that time, I felt so much for my friend and realized that I just couldn’t fathom what NICU moms go through.
My friend’s experience was on my mind when I was pregnant with Brandt. It motivated me to contact the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas and become a donor, because I’d learned how much help a preemie baby receives from a small amount of donor milk. Becoming a donor mom was important, especially now knowing parents who have fought a NICU battle. I became a donor mom because I wanted to help other moms.
I left my law practice and am now a full-time stay at home mom. In addition to volunteering on a few local boards of directors and teaching a music class and with the support of my husband Randy, I breastfeed and also pump, store and send my milk off to the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas. Sometimes I drive over to Odessa and drop it off at the Depot, and other times I ship it directly to Fort Worth.
Although it can be hard at times, I’m proud to breastfeed my children. I’ve been known to repeat this mantra while breastfeeding – “I’m burning calories. They are getting my immunities. We’re bonding. It’s for such a short time. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh everything else….”
Emmaline is now three and her younger brother Brandt is eight months old. I was able to breastfeed Emmaline for 13 months and am on my way to breastfeeding Brandt for a full year.
Charity Rohlfs’ Breastfeeding Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I asked for a nurse with lactation training over and over again in the hospital before I was discharged. I really wanted to make sure I was doing this correctly.
- Have grace with yourself. No matter if you breastfeed for a day or for three years, know breastfeeding is making a difference. Know that you can do this. The reward is worth it. Find and use your confidence.
- Remember that you have breastfeeding and pumping rights in the workplace. Inform and assert yourself.