Alexander came into the world on July 20, 2023, with a genetic heart defect. Following open-heart surgery at two days old, he spent one week on life support. Then at 12 days old, he received his second open heart surgery.
To close out May, NEC Awareness Month, we are highlighting the extraordinary story about Addison, who was born with an abdominal birth defect and is a two-time survivor of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal disease.
Life in the NICU hangs in the balance. So much can go wrong. Preterm and fragile infants are extremely vulnerable to developing respiratory distress, hearing and vision deficits and cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal complications.
Today, April 19, 2024, is Hannah’s first birthday and a miraculous milestone. A year ago, Hannah was born with a terminal brain condition called hydranencephaly. She left the hospital on hospice and was placed with her adoptive family three weeks later.
Dallas mom and breathwork facilitator, Shelsea is currently donating her extra breastmilk after her premature twins, Cielo and Sol, spent five months in the NICU.
Every breastfeeding/pumping and donation journey looks different. Donor mom Julie shares her story.
From 1904 to 1943, New York's Coney Island amusement park showcased technological advances from around the world, including infant incubators occupied by live babies. A sign at the entrance read, "All the World Loves a Baby" where visitors paid 25 cents to see the tiny preemies.
Through the help of a local woodworking organization, a second memorial tree, honoring little lives lost, was recently installed in the reception room at Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas.
Caio was a recipient of donor milk both in the hospital NICU and then as a medical necessity recipient after he graduated from the NICU and went home. This is his story…
“Our sweet Elby is turning 18 months old soon, and we just requested a pickup for our LAST milk donation!"
A smile this big can only mean one thing - lots of milk donated to babies in need!
Philip was born at 35 weeks and spent 13 days in the NICU for help regulating his temperature and bilirubin levels. For mom Christine, Philip’s time in the NICU was incredibly challenging emotionally. She said, “Seeing him hooked up to monitors in a temperature-controlled environment receiving light therapy hurt my mommy heart. All I wanted to do was hold him and never let go - but I had to let go for him to get the treatments he needed so that he could come home.”
"Seeing all the little precious babies [in the NICU] fighting for their lives hits me hard, and if there’s one way I can help I’ll do it by donating my extra breastmilk.”
Boone Edward decided to make his presence on 1/19/2023 at 33 weeks and 3 days gestation. Since he was 7 weeks early, he had to have donor milk until my own milk came in…
Over 150 representatives from 30 nonprofit North American milk banks attended the Symposium on Human Milk Banking in Columbus, Ohio last week.
Why did Sharvonne decided to become a milk donor? To help preemie babies like her son, AJ.
Indie Mae spent nine days in the NICU and relied on donor milk until donor Becca’s supply came in.
“Knowing that I can give a gift to other mothers, and fragile babies really means the world…”
“Knowing that I can help families during their most vulnerable time gives me such a huge feeling of joy and purpose. I donate on behalf of many friends, coworkers and family members who have had…"
“I didn’t reach every goal I had for 2022 but the one that I did achieve was donating to the milk bank over 10,000 ounces of milk! Such an amazing feeling to provide help to other babies!”
Amanda shares, “It feels so great to give back and know that the extra milk we donated will go to help little ones and families in need!”
As a three-time donor, Camille has now donated almost 1,500 ounces for a total of 1,750 ounces.
Milk drives have been a great way to get out and about to connect with the community – we’ve been able to hold them with a variety of community partners including hospitals, clinics, a private lactation consultant’s office, and even as part of a Trunk or Treat Halloween event with a local nonprofit supporting NICU families.
After their son's unexpected early arrival, Susan and Wes are grateful for their extra liquid gold, and that they can pay it forward to help other fragile babies and families who are in the NICU.
Krista says, “Donating my extra milk is extremely special. I know that many moms either struggle or cannot produce enough at times. I am blessed that I am able to help out anyone that may need it.”
