When baby Nola was delivered six weeks prematurely at the height of RSV season, her mother Megan was terrified. Born at only 4lbs, 2 oz, Nola was susceptible to many different complications and illnesses early on.
Immediately after birth, Nola was rushed to the NICU. Her mother Megan began pumping, yet ran into challenges with her milk supply. “I had a C-section, was 42, and she was six weeks premature, which all just adds up to where my milk was nowhere near ready,” shared Megan.
Luckily, donor milk from The Milk Bank was available at her hospital, providing Nola the immunities, antibodies, and nutrition she desperately needed to grow healthy and strong.
“Having such a tiny baby, not being able to breastfeed her in the middle of RSV season was just terrifying,” said Megan. “She had no fat on her body. She had nothing to arm herself against everything that’s out there.”
After 11 days in the NICU, Nola was able to go home. She’s now a happy, healthy, and strong little girl whose personality shines.
“Having that access to donor milk, knowing that my daughter was able to start her life the way we had always wanted by being protected by breast milk, even if it was not mine, was so important and so helpful to us.”
Right now, you can provide a lifeline to infants just like Nola who need access to safe donor milk to grow strong. Donate to The Milk Bank’s Lifeline of Love campaign now to provide nourishing donor milk to newborns, hope to parents, and love to families. Make a gift at themilkbank.org/lifeline
