Britt Bachmann shares her milk donor story, passion for breastfeeding and invaluable advice for other moms.
Why did you decide to become a milk donor and what does donating mean to you?
I have been blessed with an abundant milk supply and view it as a gift that I can use to help babies and families in our community. I have spent a lot of time learning about the amazing powers of breastmilk to help children thrive. Breastfeeding is a protective factor against SIDS, infections, and diabetes and supports the immune system and brain development in babies. It also helps mothers lower their risk for breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, as well as osteoporosis. With so many benefits to breastmilk, I want to do everything in my power to share the “liquid gold” that keeps our precious babies happy and healthy! Donating my breastmilk is truly a highlight of my life and probably one of the most tangible ways I can help children. I view it as a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity and resources to be a donor.
How did you find out about Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas (MMBNT)?
When I spoke to a Lactation Consultant shortly after my son was born, I mentioned the volume of milk I was producing and she told me I should consider donating to MMBNT. At that point, I had no idea whether I was producing more than average, but I quickly learned that I was on the high-end and my body was making more milk than my son could ever drink. Once I was able to build up a sizeable freezer stash, I was so excited to make my first donation to MMBNT! My son and I were welcomed with warm arms by the MMBNT staff and were introduced to the team, given a tour of the facility, and provided with supplies to help me with bagging and storing.
How was the screening process and how long have you been a donor?
The screening process was not difficult at all! MMBNT has streamlined it so all prospective donors need to do is complete the paperwork and submit to a blood test. MMBNT contacted both my obstetrician and my son’s pediatrician, so there was very little for me to do during the screening process except keep pumping while awaiting my approval! I have been a donor for about half a year. My goal is to donate 50,000 ounces or until my son self-weans. The personal stories of donors and recipients I hear about from MMBNT inspire me to keep pumping for as long as I’m able!
Where do you deliver your milk?
I usually deliver my frozen milk directly to MMBNT headquarters on Magnolia. However, during the icy days this winter and the stormy days this spring, we lost power at home quite a few times. I remember driving to the hospital in the middle of the night so I could pump there where they were able to maintain power through generators and deliver all of my frozen milk before my freezer began to defrost! I take my milk donation very seriously and make it my personal mission to never waste a drop.
Tell us about your baby and personal donor story.
My first child, a son, was born this winter and he has brought an incredible level of joy to my husband and me. He is so active, curious, engaged, and expressive. He has been walking around in his rolling walker since he was 4 months with no signs of slowing down! I have been so incredibly lucky to have had a textbook pregnancy, easy birth, and healthy, full-term son. With such amazing blessings, I have been in a position to share my joy and good fortune with others. I worked diligently by nursing and pumping around-the-clock the first few months to build up my milk supply so that I would be able to donate to as many sweet babies as possible who needed mother’s milk during their first days and weeks of life. It brings me such fulfillment to imagine all of the lovely little ones who receive my milk and all of its antibodies, long-chain fatty acids, and other nutrients that help them to survive and grow during a most fragile time. As a new mother, I applaud other moms who choose donor breastmilk for their babies because I, too, would choose what is best for my child.
Do you have advice for other moms?
Please take advantage of a provision of the Affordable Care Act that provides free breast pumps to new moms! My health insurance gave me two electric breast pumps – one for home and one for work. MMBNT also provides free bagging and storage supplies, so donor moms don’t have to spend anything but their time pumping and storing! Another helpful tip I can offer is to pump frequently during the first 6-12 weeks. In addition to nursing, I was pumping 5-7 times per day during the early weeks. There’s no doubt it was tiring and time-consuming, but it helped me maintain an excellent supply that I continue to this day. Nowadays I only pump 3-4 times per day in between nursing my son. It might sound like a lot, but I use the time for quiet reflection, catching up on emails, or browsing the Internet on my phone. Also, drink a ton of water and try to keep your stress level to a minimum! Easier said than done, but I always notice a decrease in my supply when I haven’t consumed adequate water or am under considerable stress. As far as freezing goes, I recommend storing the milk in light-blocking bags that lay flat in your freezer. I usually put six 6-ounce milk bags in a gallon storage bag laid flat in my freezer. This way, you can stack bags upon each other and remove them easily when you are ready to make a donation. The first 6 weeks are the most challenging for many first-time nursing mothers! Both you and your baby are new to nursing, so a “learning curve” is inevitable. My best advice is to not give up in the early stages because it gets easier every day. Do whatever you need to do to keep the breastfeeding relationship going – pump to keep your supply up, visit a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group, use a shield, and experiment with different nursing positions.
Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you for sharing my donor story and for all of the wonderful work you do at MMBNT! By supporting nursing mothers and babies in North Texas through educational initiatives on the benefits of breastmilk and the prevention of SIDS through breastfeeding and safe sleeping environments, we can make our community one of the safest and healthiest places to raise children in Texas!
For more information about Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas and how to become a donor, click here.