Moms from around Central Virginia donated more than 2,200 ounces of breast milk during the inaugural milk drive held at CHoR and organized by The King’s Daughter’s Milk Bank at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters this week. The two hospitals came together to raise awareness about the benefits of human milk, and collect milk donations, alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proclamation designating August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Why the need for human milk?

While it is widely known that breast milk contains nutrients that are crucial for infant development, it can also be a life-saving treatment for those babies who are extremely premature or critically ill. Breast milk contains antibodies to fight disease, protects against allergies and even reduces the risk of developing potentially life-threatening intestinal infections. But not everyone who gives birth is able to breastfeed, which is why the need for donor milk is crucial.

Healing through giving

All the families who donated at this event were pre-screened and have their own very personal reasons to give. Delanie LeTard was the first mom to drop off her milk donation at the drive.  Organizers were expecting her to donate about 500 ounces at the event, but instead she had 1,055 ounces to give!

So, what compelled her to become a donor? Her emotional breastfeeding journey began seven years ago following the loss of her first child.

“My milk came in so strong, and I really wanted to donate, but I told myself it was too much to try to pump and donate when I didn’t have a baby at home,” Delanie explained. “So, when we had our now oldest, in December of 2019, I had so much milk and that’s when I decided to do the thing I wanted to do and donate.”

Delaney now has three children. The youngest, Barrett, is currently nursing at four months old and was born prematurely, so she really understands the needs of pre-term babies. Over the course of breastfeeding, she has donated nearly 6,700 ounces. She says it’s not just other families benefiting from her gift.

“I think it’s just a way I can heal my heart a little after the loss I had of my child,” she explained.

The benefits of human milk

The organizer of the drive, Ashlynn Baker, worked as a NICU nurse before becoming director of The King’s Daughters Milk Bank at CHKD. She says she saw the need and the healing power of human milk firsthand daily. One ounce of breastmilk can provide treatment to four babies, which means the amount collected during this week’s drive can provide treatment to more than 8,800 premature infants. Ashlynn not only showed her passion for the cause but made sure to show her appreciation for donor moms at the event.

“We are deeply grateful for these selfless milk donors who have taken the time to be screened, to pump, to package, and to share their milk so that other babies might have a chance to thrive and survive,” Ashlynn shared. “Your compassion sustains life, an especially solemn thank you to the brave donors who donate milk after a pregnancy and infant loss. Your children’s legacy lives on in every drop of your precious milk and with every baby that survives and thrives because of your gift.”

The moms and babies who benefit from human milk donation

The donors don’t know who receives their milk, and the moms of preemies don’t know who donated, but the community of moms has a far-reaching impact. It even touched the life of Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth, Kelly Gee.

“I had twin boys at 27 weeks right across the street at the VCU NICU. It was a whirlwind moment, but I tell you that the nurses and doctors became my second family,” explained Sec. Gee. “I could not have done what I did without them. But equally important were the moms that donated the milk that fed my babies for the first three months of their lives. The support of those other mothers helped lift me up during that time.” She went on to say, “I didn’t know who they were, and they didn’t know who I was, but it felt like there was a community of other moms there to help me.”

Sec. Gee was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Janet Kelly who talked about the ways moms are being prioritized in Virginia. “Breastfeeding is just one of our overall efforts to improve overall health, not just infant health but maternal health.”