Mother donates breast milk to help mothers in need

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the baby formula shortage continues across the country, mothers are choosing to donate their breast milk. Not only are donations increasing but so is the demand.

First-time mother Angela Lairmore and her husband both agreed to donate some of her excess breast milk she has had stored since her baby boy was born in December. But the current baby formula shortage didn't come to her mind when choosing to donate.

"Being so fortunate with having a healthy happy baby and a good milk supply drove me to want to donate," Lairmore says.

Due to continuing to add to her storage of breast milk, Lairmore had to upgrade her freezer to a bigger size.

"2700 oz stores safely and properly in a deep freeze," she said.

When starting her breastfeeding journey she knew early on she wanted to donate but didn't know the avenues till she saw a Facebook ad for "The Milk Bank."

She says, "my first donation was over 300 oz."

After her screening and approval process, she dropped her first donation off at her local collection site at Central Missouri Mother's Milk Depot and then it's shipped to The Milk Bank in Indiana.

The Milk Bank is a non-profit that collects and distributes breast milk safely.

Jenna Striet with The Milk Bank says its donors are screened so they know what kind of medications the donors are on and to know if the medications are harmful to an infant.

"In addition, our milk is pasteurized so any bacteria or illness is removed from the milk and we also have a third-party lab test it," Striet said.

The Milk Bank says its phones are ringing off the hook as mothers are in need to feed their babies and donations have increased.

Striet says, "Last year we had 96 donors from Missouri and it's only May and we already have 49 Missouri donors."

Lairmore wants her story to be an inspiration to others to donate and says her family's goal is to donate once a month.

"We don't have a goal in mind of the total ounces each month but we just know we want to make some form of a donation," she says.

The Milk Bank recommends donating 150 ounces but it isn't required.

"Every little bit does help because one ounce is three pre-mature baby feedings," Lairmore said. "It's my belief you should help out when you can so since we are able to why not."

The Milk Bank accepts donations until a mother's baby turns 2 years old.

If you are in need of breast milk the milk bank will provide you with up to 40 ounces without a prescription.