I know that breastmilk is best for babies and I'm very fortunate that I've had really healthy milk to give them. Here are a few reasons that breast milk is also known as liquid gold:
- For most babies, especially premature babies, breast milk is easier to digest than formula.(1)
- The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk. (1)
- Some research shows that breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and atopic dermatitis (a type of skin rash) in babies. Breastfeeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).(1)
About two weeks ago I received an email through the MOMS Club of Cedarburg which I belong to. There was a local mom that had just adopted a baby boy and she was in need of some breastmilk. While in the hospital, he contracted a bacterial infection and ended up in the NICU. She knew breastmilk was best and had 11 days worth of donor milk. They brought him home and started giving him formula but he wasn't taking to it very well. As a concerned mother, she reached out for help with getting any more donor milk.
Since I'm still nursing Elsa, I was able to give this mom 24 oz. of milk that I had on hand. I continue to pump, nurse, and freeze milk around here so hopefully I'll have more to donate. By sharing my story on Facebook another friend from Waukesha was able to help out this mom too.
Yesterday I received a text from her with a photo of her little guy enjoying a bottle of milk! How gratifying that made me feel! I'm so happy to help out somebody with the things I've been given.
Then, on Facebook I stumbled across another resource, the Eats on Feets Wisconsin Facebook page. Eats On Feets facilitates a world-wide network of parents and professionals who have made the informed choice to share or support the sharing of breastmilk. I was so excited all over again. I am so determined to help out as many moms as I can while still nursing Elsa and not losing a beat around here.
So, what can you do? Do you know somebody who can spare a little milk? Can you spare a little milk? Go to the Eats on Feets website, share your resources and help a little baby who needs some liquid gold to get a headstart on life!
(1) Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/
3 comments:
it also cultures their little guts differently than formula!
I can't pump worth a lick sadly. :( But this is wonderful! (we're still nursing at 17 months, though only twice/day now)
That's awesome Tracey! Pumping sure is hard work!
What a wonderful thing to do! I have a lot more milk with my son now who is 3 months old than I ever did with my daughter who is 2. I nursed her until she was 1, but never had a lot extra. With my son I probably have a months supply stocked up. I work full time, so I am a regular pumper 2 times a day.
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