A long journey to wellness began for baby Liam after his premature arrival at 26 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 14 ounces. His parents, Cereena and Austin, describe him as a "true warrior", battling and overcoming a common and serious intestinal infection called Necrotizing Enterocolitis.
Admitted to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Liam was treated with antibiotics and fortified donor breastmilk. Like a lot of moms of preemies, Cereena's milk supply wasn't adequate after giving birth so early. Liam's neonatologist, Susan Sward-Comunelli, MD, prescribed donor milk and explained that premature babies need breastmilk to provide proper nutrients and prevent life-threatening complications. Liam gained weight and won the battle. Over time, Cereena ended up pumping more milk than Liam needed and decided to become a donor. She explains, "I wanted to provide milk for the babies who need it most and reduce any worry or stress for those mothers who try very hard to produce breastmilk, but can't.'' Cereena learned about Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas from Dr. Sward-Comunelli, who helped found the non-profit organization in 2004. She describes the donor approval process as "thorough yet easy". Cereena says, "The paperwork was minimal but they asked important questions; things that I would want to know as a mother whose child would receive donor milk. The best part is knowing that all donors have their blood screened."
Cereena's Advice for New Milk Donors
- Don't give up. Whether breastfeeding or pumping, all mothers go through ups and downs.
- Take care of yourself first. Stay hydrated, eat plenty of food and get sleep when possible.
- Donate when you feel comfortable with your supply.
- Be careful to not overfill breast storage bags, and double check that each bag is properly sealed and labeled before storing.
For Cereena and Austin, donating milk is a way to give back, knowing others helped Liam recover. Cereena explains, "All you want to do is protect and provide for your child and breastmilk can do both." For more information about milk donation, visit our website.