Breastmilk is saving this baby's life

Click here to read this story about the amazing power of breastmilk to save a baby's life (and hearing, and eyesight)! Baby Jayden was born with congenital syphilis, blind, deaf, and addicted to alcohol and cocaine. Unable to tolerate any formula well, her foster mother fed her the formula that was "least bad" for her, but she was never healthy, and often was close to death. Then they tried breastmilk, and what a difference it made!

Because of her multiple food intolerances and health situation, as a toddler she is still very much in need of breastmilk, so if you live in Southeast Michigan and have any breastmilk in the freezer, or are currently breastfeeding and able to pump extra, you can help to keep this baby alive [see the website for more details, including drop-off points].

Prescription Milk

Guest post from Kathy.

There is no substitute for breastmilk when it comes to health, and premature babies are particularly at risk. While many mothers pump for their own babies, some women have trouble making enough milk. If you have "enough and to spare," I'd urge you to look into donating your milk to a milk bank or local hospital if possible. Even though all babies benefit from breastmilk, premature babies are more vulnerable to the side effects of formula, with formula-fed preemies having something like double the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (compared to their breastmilk-fed peers), which can be fatal. By donating breastmilk to a baby who needs it, you can literally give the gift of life.



Soon after my younger son was born, a friend adopted a newborn, and I pumped extra milk for him. Even though the baby was a normal, healthy newborn, and didn't "need" breastmilk like some of these babies in this video, I felt wonderful about giving him the gift of breastmilk that neither his birth mother nor his adoptive mother were able to give*. Yes, it took time, but it was worth it. If I ever have another baby, I will definitely donate extra milk if at all possible.

*[I feel the need to qualify what I mean when I say that his adoptive mother "wasn't able" to give the baby breastmilk. It is important to note that adoptive mothers can breastfeed at least partially, even if some are not able to fully feed their infants. However, this particular adoption was actually a surprise (long story, but they found out about the baby one day before he was born and took him home one day after he was born), so she didn't have time to prepare prior to the adoption.]