Why so much milk
While I do believe that there [must be] some sort of genetic factor that goes into milk supply issues – whether it be too much or too little – I will say that neither my mother or grandmother produced nearly as much as I do (or even enough to feed each baby completely with supplementing), so I’m not sure this is necessarily the case. I do know, however, that the more water I drink and fatty and protein-rich foods I eat throughout the day (among other things), directly relates to my milk supply and how many additional ounces I pump – whether that be a “mere” 25 ounces or up to 50+ (not including what I feed my daughter). The same can be said for those days where I do tons of cardio, walking, etc. – as I notice my supply is much less; due to the amount of calories I burn vs. the amount of food and water I drink (again, among other things).
My first experience sharing milk
Since I never expected to over-produce with my son, I had never looked into “what to do with an oversupply”, or what having a lot of extra milk even meant. However, I quickly learned that having 2 freezers full of frozen milk [that would literally fall on the floor every time you opened the door] was not normal, nor was it something that I, nor my husband, wanted to keep dealing with. So, I looked into “what to do with extra breastmilk” and eventually came across a site that is basically like a Craigslist for breastmilk.
To make a long story short, I posted an ad and eventually was contacted by a woman whose baby had a heart condition and wanted to purchase my milk. However, it took us both a while to find each other as there are many scammers out there in this “industry”, since it is not regulated and not something a lot of people ever even think of looking into to or dealing with. Having spoke over the phone and through quite a few emails, as well as her looking at my website and knowing that I am who I said I am, we decided to begin “working” with each other.
Now here we are, 3 half years later, and Jessica and I (yes, we have the same first name), are still super close and will forever feel connected by the experience we shared. To her, I helped save her baby as the Doctor’s contribute my breastmilk – thanks to the loads of healthy foods I eat – to the overall health of her son and to why he is thriving the way that he is (read her Testimonial, here).
Having been able to help Jessica and her son is something I will never forget and makes me feel so honored to be a part of helping to literally save a life.
After my 2nd child - sharing milk
Like with any pregnancy, and child thereafter, I anticipated that my [milk-making] experience would be different, and wasn’t sure what to expect after having my 2nd child. Would I produce less milk? Would she have trouble nursing and inadvertently affect my supply? Would my oldest [son] allow me to nurse her on demand? Would I even have time to pump at all?
Without having to go into all the nitty gritty, I definitely got the whole breastfeeding thing done much easier the second time around, and was producing copious amounts of extra milk from almost the very get-go. Having gone through this all before, I was able to find multiple families in need, much more quickly then I had with my son, and am still to this day – with my daughter about to turn 18 months – am feeding 2 babies full time + still nursing her. I have also provided 1000’s of ounces of breastmilk to other families in need on numerous occasions, as well.
Why am I sharing this? Why do you care?
I’m sharing my story to let you know that I’ve been there! I know what it’s like to feel like a Momma Cow and to be attached to your baby and/or your pump! I know what it’s like to NEED to produce more milk, and what it’s like to feel like you are drowning your baby with too much! I’ve shipped 10’s of 1000’s of ounces of breastmilk and know the ins-and-outs that go along with that. I have all the experience one could imagine with dealing with nursing and breastmilk and WANT TO HELP other momma’s who are going through it all too!
Breastfeeding is tough, don’t get me wrong, but it is SOO worth it in the end!
And I want to help make it as easy as possible for you too!
