Looking for Milk Donors : )

As most of you know, our family is going to be growing really soon!! Soon being December 11th! Most people have asked if we were freaking out trying to get everything done to prepare for a new baby in our 2 weeks whereas most people have 9 months to prepare. The truth is we are not really worried at all... about anything.... except what we are going to feed him. 

I have spent the past few days trying to think of just how I am going to word this post. It is a very near and dear post but I don't want it to come off as offensive or try to make anyone feel guilty or obligated in any way. Before our son Sawyer was born, I had read different ways on how a woman can induce lactation without giving birth to a baby. I tried every way and gave it my all but I had no success. To some, breast milk isn't a big deal but for me it is. The fact that I didn't even have the option to provide that for him was sad for me. I felt like I was already starting off motherhood on the wrong foot not being able to provide him with something that I know to be so good for him. I started looking and asking around for other ways. Then my Aunt told me about women that donate milk to other babies. She herself had been a milk donor to a local milk bank a few years earlier. She told me how some women just over produce and the rest needs to go somewhere. But how exactly do you know who overproduces and who doesn't? It's not just something you go up to a lady with a baby and ask her. After lots of thought and prayer I was led to looking online for a donor and sure enough I found one! Through her I found another one and then more and more people found out and I got a few more milk donors. It was a lot of work and a lot of flying across the country to get it but it was so so so very worth the work for me. Sawyer was able to make it an entire YEAR on donor breast milk! I never in a million years expected him to make it that long on BM but we are so so so grateful!

Deacon and his Mommy Jeni donated to Sawyer. 

When I started looking into breast milk for him, I didn't realize how much time and effort it takes to be a donor. One of his donors, Jeni, that lived out of state, spent countless hours, restless nights, tons of dish washing, loads of milk bags, loss of space in her freezer, etc, all for my son. I will always feel indebted to her and all the other amazing ladies that donated to my son. I am truly grateful for every drop! I had no idea how much effort it takes to be a donor for someone else. Knowing that, I feel so so guilty for asking someone to be a donor for our next baby but at least I know it's possible. 

 I've gone back and forth about trying to find a donor for Sawyer's little brother. Of course I want it desperately for him, but at the same time I am feeling a huge amount of guilt asking for it. I love this little baby just as much as I love Sawyer so I have to at least try. So if by chance you are a Mom with an oversupply and you have extra to spare, we will gladly take any drop : ) His tummy will be very thankful for any drop! 

Blowing a Heart : )

We are not expecting a year supply by any means so don't feel like if you donate a little that we will expect more. 1oz is better than no oz. Some people think we are crazy for feeding our child someone else's milk but I don't see whats so weird about it. People donate blood to others all the time and thats not weird. 

Things have changed since Sawyer was born so flying out of state to go pick up milk is not an option for us anymore. Therefore we have to ask locally or at least within driving distance. So if you or someone you know has some spare milk that they are willing to part with, please let us know. We will gladly pay for any bags used to store it it : )

Lots of Love, 

Brett & Candace