My son, Andrew, was born in July 2013. During my delivery my epidural made me feel numb and I couldn’t move the left side of my body, so my doctor performed a C-section. After Andrew was born, my husband brought him back to my room where he began to 
breastfeed almost immediately. He was able to latch, but he was very sleepy.
Andrew latched on in the first 48 hours, but lost weight because he was lethargic and kept falling asleep while nursing. I first learned about donor human milk when I was asked by the hospital nursing staff if I wanted to give Andrew donor milk or formula. We spoon-fed him donor human milk at the hospital two times, and used a feeding tube while breastfeeding once.
Within 30 minutes of receiving donor human milk, Andrew was noticeably more alert. We could see a huge difference with just 10 mL.
Cousins Andrew and Elizabeth
My niece, Elizabeth, is 100 days older than Andrew and my sister was breastfeeding at this time. We asked if my sister, Erin Baker, could give my baby her breastmilk. The hospital’s lactation consultant said that the hospital could not recommend sharing breastmilk outside of a milk bank due to certain risks, but if we felt comfortable with it then that would be our decision.
Once we were home, my sister shared her milk with Andrew and we did spoon-feedings another 24 hours. Then, Andrew was perking up and had enough energy to complete a feeding on his own.
I first found about the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas when my sister became a donor mom. After Andrew was older and I realized I had extra breast milk, I became a donor mom as well. I dropped off my excess supply at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, Hurst-Euless-Bedford.
I love being a donor mom. Because Andrew needed a little bit of donor milk in the hospital, donating gave me a way to give back and help moms who are having trouble breastfeeding, whose milk hasn’t come in yet or those with sick babies. I’m able to provide other babies with good nutrition, and this makes me happy.
I want new moms to know breastfeeding is challenging, but it is worth it because you are able to feed your child, protect him or her against diseases, and receive the greatest gift: bonding with your baby.
Breastfeeding does get easier. If your baby wants to keep breastfeeding even after a year, then just continue on until he or she decides to stop.
If you are an over-producing mom and have extra milk, then you should consider donating. It is a great gift to be able to give an infant the nutrition he or she needs!