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Once A Pumper

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This post is for the Carnival of Breastfeeding. Welcome readers!

breastmilkWhen my oldest was born my milk was a plenty. In those first few, hazy days we were not yet sure if I would return to work or not. So just in case we got an electric pump. It was bad! It was a cheap model from some brand I had never heard of, and used. At the time it was the best we could afford so I made due.

Luckily, my breasts seemed to love that cheap, loud, almost painful pump. Each day I hooked myself up to the thing, feeling like a cow at the dairy farm, and worked towards a stash of milk that I hoped would keep my son nourished should I return to work. Just as my maternity leave pay was ending we made the decision that I would stay home instead.

I cannot explain the sadness of seeing those bags and bags of precious milk going to waste. A few were used now and then when we went on trips out, before I was confident enough to breastfeed in public, and a few others on those rare dates without the baby. But for the most part I was only counting down the days on the bags, watching all that work go to nothing. It was by total chance that I read online about a woman who had had multiple infants and was unable to nurse them all. The article talked briefly about her trying to buy milk from a milk bank, but the costs were high and the supply was low. It was like a light switched on in my head.

The next week I had faxed in forms and was eagerly awaiting my blood test results. Though I could not donate the bags of milk I already had I could put my breasts to good use for babies I would never see.

I was fortunate to have a good supply already established. I could nurse my own son and still pump 5 - 8 ounces per feeding. It was an amazing feeling to know that I was helping other mothers and children each time. Somehow it made the pain of pumping lessen. Though I was only able to donate milk for a short while before time and other issues became a problem, that short time was amazing. I still keep on my fridge a magnet for the National Milk Bank to remember the time when I could give to more than just my own children.

milk bank

Be sure to visit all the other people joining in the fun:

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5 Responses to “Once A Pumper”

  1. Mike & Toni's hands-free pumping supports - Never a Dull Moment… » I was Pumped to Launch… Says:

    [...] The Attached Mother writes about pumping and becoming a milk donor. [...]

  2. Wendy Armbruster Bell Says:

    Although I am an avid blood donor (in Canada, we donate our blood for free and receive it free of charge when we need it), I never knew about donating milk or milk banks until after I finished nursing my second and last baby! I think a lot of women are in the same boat - they don’t know about donating milk or find out too late. Good for you for helping to spread the word!

  3. Hobo Mama Says:

    Oh, I’m glad someone enjoyed donating milk! :) Thanks for letting mothers know about milk donation, because it really is a great thing to do for other babies who could use such a wonderful resource.

  4. Carnival of Breastfeeding: Pumping It Up and Cleft Palate Says:

    [...] of a Breastfeeding Mother: Pumping Tips Raising Baby Bee: Pumping at Work The Attached Mother: Donating Milk Hobo Mama: Thrills and Chills of Person-to-Person Milk Donation Mike and Toni’s: Hands-Free [...]

  5. Alexwebmaster Says:

    Hello webmaster
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About The Attached Mother

The Attached Mother is about the real-life experiences of an attachment parenting mom. Allison writes about her parenting ideals such as co-sleeping, gentle discipline, child-led weaning, baby wearing and how she applies them with her three young sons.

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