“Pumping as a Part of My Healing Journey” Chandler’s Bereavement Milk Donation Story

Please note a sensitivity alert: This story involves the topics of stillbirth and infant loss. 

When Chandler first came to The Milk Bank as a milk donor, it was after the heartbreaking stillbirth of her son, Jensen. She decided to become a milk donor through The Milk Bank’s Bereavement Program, which offers a milk donation program that compassionately honors loss.

Below, Chandler shares her story of why she chose to pump and donate baby Jensen’s milk, and how her milk donation journey came full-circle with the birth of her rainbow baby Sutton, a milk recipient.

“Our first son Jensen was stillborn at 39 weeks in February of 2025. I knew I wanted to still pump and donate my milk while I was still in labor with him.

I utilized pumping as a part of my healing journey for five months as I grieved the loss of him. Knowing he was giving so much to fragile infants made the many hours and sleepless nights worth it.

Our second son, Sutton was born four weeks early and was in the NICU for five days. He was given donor milk via his feeding tube until my milk came in.

In a time where I couldn’t provide milk for him, someone else was selflessly providing the nutrients for him that his body desperately needed.

It was a full circle moment seeing the impact and sacrifice of other mother’s and babies. It definitely felt like a wink from Jensen.”

If you, or someone you know, has endured a pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant loss, we extend our deepest condolences. The Milk Bank’s Bereavement Program provides a variety of programs and services that may be helpful for those who have experienced a loss.