You Donated WHAT??!!

I didn’t always enjoy breastfeeding (you can read about my breastfeeding journey HERE) and I have to admit that I took my ability to lactate for granted. I thought that any woman who gave birth was able to nurse her baby if she chose to do so and I didn’t realize how blessed I am to have been able to breastfeed all four of my children with ease.

 Recently, I have had the opportunity to really see how blessed I am. About three weeks ago I got a text from my doula (and now spectacular friend) Marie. Marie asked me if I had any pumped breast milk that I could donate to one of her new mommies. Without hesitation I said yes. I didn’t know what was going on but I knew that if there was a baby in need of breast milk I would do whatever I could to give it to him. I got the family’s contact information from Marie and I told the mom that she could have as much as she needed. Her husband drove straight to my house and picked up a few bags of milk. When he walked into my house I could see the desperation in his face and I will never forget the words he said to me. He said “So you’re the lifesaver with the breast milk”.

Lifesaver. Wow. This was such a humbling moment for me. I never once thought of my ability to produce breast milk as anything above ordinary and yet this man is calling me a lifesaver. Why have I taken this life giving gift to my children for granted?

I have continued to pump milk for this sweet baby boy so that he would have as much as he needed between his mom’s milk and my milk. Every time I deliver my milk to the family they are so thankful. I don’t think they realize how grateful I am for them. This entire process has changed me for the better. Without this experience I would never have truly understood what a gift it is to be able to feed my child with an endless supply of breast milk. I never once had to count how many ounces of milk I have stored in my freezer or worry about where my child’s next meal will come from.  

I’m also very honored to be able to help supplement this baby boy’s feedings. It’s an awesome responsibility to know that his parents trust that I am not going to do anything to make my breast milk anything less than perfect for their little one.  I’m responsible for living a healthy lifestyle so that both Grace and this sweet baby will thrive on my milk. If that doesn’t motivate one to live healthy, I don’t know what will.

Pumping milk used to be an annoying chore that I did nightly before bed so that my boobs didn’t explode by morning. I now take joy in pumping viewing it no longer as a job but as a privilege to provide milk to a baby in need. I love watching this little guy grow and I’m becoming quite fond of their entire family! I will honestly be sad when he no longer needs my milk.

If you are a breastfeeding mama, don’t be ashamed and take pride in the gift you are giving your child. So many women desperately try to breastfeed and are unable to for one reason or another.

If you are interested in donating your breast milk to a baby in need please check out Eats On Feets-Michigan Facebook page.