One Mom’s Far-Reaching Impact Through Milk Donation

Second-time donor, Katie, admits that pumping milk is a lot of work, but says it’s worth it when you think of the lives you are helping. She explains, “I wanted to share what I could so that other mothers wouldn’t have to worry, especially if they might be dealing with difficult situations.” 

As a mother of four in Rockwall, Texas, Katie has experienced the frustrations of a low milk supply, to joy for having an excess supply and everything in between. Breastfeeding Noah (9), Benjamin (7), Elizabeth (5) and Noelle (3) was a way to bond with her children, not just nourish them. 

Katie first donated her milk in 2018 after the birth of her third baby, Elizabeth. Her oversupply enabled her to donate more than 8,000 ounces. Then, after Noelle was born, she donated more than 19,000 ounces. Considering one ounce can feed three premature infants, Katie’s milk has made an extraordinary impact far and wide.   

Katie found out about Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas from a moms’ Facebook page. She anticipated the screening process might be cumbersome but was pleased it ended up being easy.  

She says, “I did local drop-off in Rockwall for a few years, and then switched to home pick-up. That was a game changer.” Her supportive husband, Phil, made donating possible. She says, “It takes a lot of time to pump, package the milk, clean pump parts, etc.” 

Donating the milk her babies didn’t need was important because Katie knew from experience that not all feeding journeys are smooth and successful. She says, “I hope my milk helped other mothers know their baby was getting the liquid gold that would help their babies grow big and strong. I hope it brought peace to those parents who were going through a stressful time.”