Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio

For the past 6 months, I have donated alot of my breast milk to the "Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio." Over all, I donated 728 oz!! Many people have asked me what the milk bank is, what they do, and why I donate, so I figured I would post it on here.

The following info is from their pamphlet:
"Nothing can protect and nourish an infant like human milk. Human milk is even more important for premature and ill infants because it provides nutrition unmatched by formula. Often, the mothers of these fragile infants are unable to produce enough of this critical nourishment. Pasturized donor human milk allows these babies to benefit from the active growth hormones, developmental enzymes and immunological factors found in a mother's own milk.

The Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio provides human donor milk to babies, older children, or adults. Indications for human donor milk include: Prematurity, Malabsorption, Formula intolerance, Immunological deficiencies, congenital anomalies, Post-operative nutrition, and Biological mothers' milk unavailable" to name a few.

The milk is given to babies by a doctor's prescription only. One of the success stories I was told was a 2 year old girl who was only 15 lbs and was failing to thrive, because she would no longer tolerate ANYTHING put in her g-tube. So the dr prescribed human milk. In ONE YEAR she went from 2 years old and 15 pounds to 3 years old and 30 lbs! Doubled her weight! The drs said that without the human milk, she probably would have starved to death since her body wouldn't tolerate anything else.

I found the milk bank online when Savanna was 6 months old because I already had lots of milk stored for her and I had heard of milk banks, but didn't really know what they were all about. I am so glad I found them! I really feel I was able to help at least a few babies in need! I know not every mother can breastfeed, and I know that many of the sickest babies cannot get their mother's milk, because many times their mothers are sick as well, or it takes them a few days for their milk to come in.

If you would like more information, or are interested in becoming a donor mother, you can contact them at milkbank@ohiohealth.com or at 614-544-0810. This bank has drop off points in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Athens, and even Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. They do offer for you to ship it to them if you don't live close enough to drop off. If you are a nursing mother but don't live in or around Ohio, I would encourage you to research milk banks in your area. I'm sure there's a need everywhere! I also have a few of their pamphlets here at my house if anyone is interested.

This is a picture ofthe scrapbook page that I made for the milk bank. They keep a scrapbook of all their donors. I went to my friend, Brandy's, house yesterday and made it (Thank you Brandy!!!) - I think it turned out sooo cute, I'm kind of sad to see it go! but I know at the milk bank it will be enjoyed by many!

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Here are just a few of my little stinker recently - she is so cute!!

I cannot keep this kid out of the dog's water... ugh!!!

And this is the poor girl after her Uncle Garrett and Aunt Kara put her shorts on her head. Poor baby! She thought it was funny though and walked around proudly like this for a while!