Lactation Support After the Loss of Your Baby 2023

MILK DONATION

can leave a lasting legacy after an unimaginable loss.

Donating through a nonprofit milk bank, such as Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas, is a safe way to share your milk, according to the FDA.

WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS Carmen's Tree is a memorial named after our first bereaved donor's baby, Carmen.

In loving memory, leaves are engraved with the name and birthdate of each baby whose mother donated breastmilk in their honor.

To learn more and for additional bereavement resources, visit:

After the loss of your baby

To donate your pumped milk, contact Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas at 817-810-0071.

You'll complete 3 easy steps:

1. Call us for a 10-15 minute health screening 2. Complete a medical history questionnaire 3. Get a free, non-fasting blood test You can donate milk you have collected before and during the screening process.

Once approved, you can drop your milk off at a milk collection site or ship it to the milk bank at no cost to you.

Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas is a nonprofit with a mission to improve the health and survival of infants through breastfeeding advocacy and the safe, equitable provision of pasteurized donor human milk.

7617 Benbrook Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76126 817-810-0071

www.texasmilkbank.org

The Carmen's Tree Memorial at Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas honors little lives lost.

MILK PRODUCTION AFTER LOSS

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY MILK

Birth stimulates hormones that tell your body to make milk.

Milk usually becomes abundant 3-5 days after a baby is born. Your breasts will feel fuller and may leak milk.

If you have just started lactating or you have been making milk for a while, you can choose whether or not to express your milk.

Stimulating your breasts will tell your body to keep making milk. This milk can be expressed either by hand or with help from a pump.

Early stimulation of your breasts will help build your milk supply. Expressing 8 or more times a day will give you maximum results.

If you already have a milk supply, continue expressing as often as is comfortable for you.

If you have any questions about expressing or suppressing your milk, call your healthcare provider or lactation consultant.

If you pump or have stored milk, you can donate it in honor of your baby and help save a fragile infant's life.

“After Noor passed away, I remember thinking I would donate for her and for those little ones and families who needed the support.

I didn’t realize how emotional and meaningful donating would be. It took me some time to get the energy to pack up the milk and send it off, but when I did, I felt proud. I felt so proud of Noor, that even in a tragic situation, she was still living on by helping other babies have a chance.”

I DO NOT WANT TO EXPRESS MY MILK You will naturally stop producing milk if you do not stimulate your breasts.

Cold compresses or cabbage leaves can be used to relieve swelling and minor discomfort.

Expressing very small amounts of milk can also temporarily relieve pressure. If you experience fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

If you are already pumping, slowly suppress your milk to improve comfort and reduce the chance of infection.

Pump briefly until your breasts soften.

Leaving milk in your breasts tells your brain to slow down production.

You will find you can pump less often and then stop.

While your milk is drying up, you may feel some discomfort and leak some milk. Use nursing pads to absorb leaks.

"Binding" the breasts (wrapping breasts tightly) to suppress milk is no longer recommended. It can cause plugged milk ducts and breast infections. Wear a bra that is comfortable and not too tight.