Donor Spotlight: Andrea’s Heart for Healing

The path to parenthood isn’t always linear, and sometimes there can be bumps along the way. Despite facing fertility struggles and difficulties with breastfeeding after the birth of her first child, Andrea navigated her way through the challenges that unfolded – and found purpose as a Milk Bank donor.

When I became a mom for the first time, I experienced just how overwhelming those early weeks after birth can be. I remember feeling exhausted, emotional, and unsure of myself; I cannot imagine how hard it must be for the parents whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and they’re unable to feed them because their milk hasn’t come in yet, or they are having difficulties producing enough milk. That thought has always stayed with me.

Our road to parenthood wasn’t easy. I spent seven years trying to get pregnant before deciding to move forward with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It was a long, emotional, and incredibly hard journey. One filled with uncertainty, heartbreak, and hope. When I finally held my first baby, I carried with me not just the joy of that moment, but the weight of everything it took to get there.

Breastfeeding didn’t come easily; it took us three long months to figure things out. It was emotionally draining and isolating at times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, we found our rhythm, and I was able to nurse and pump plenty of breastmilk, but I did not donate any of it. I remember wishing I could do something to help other parents who were struggling the way I had.

So when I welcomed my second baby in 2024, I told myself that if breastfeeding went well and if I had the chance, I would try again – and this time give back.

To my surprise, our breastfeeding journey went smoothly from the very beginning. I was able to collect extra milk almost immediately, and that’s when I reached out to the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank to begin the donor process.

Becoming a milk donor has been such an emotional and meaningful experience. It’s a quiet act done in the early mornings or late at night, while my baby sleeps or plays nearby. Knowing that the breastmilk I have pumped is going to vulnerable infants in the NICU who need it most, fills me with such gratitude. After everything it took to become a mother, being able to help other babies and other parents feels like a full-circle moment that I never expected.

If there’s one message I could share with other new moms, it’s this: if you’re in a place where breastfeeding is going well and you have a little extra to give, please consider becoming a donor. Even small amounts can make a huge difference for babies who are fighting to grow stronger every day, and for the families holding onto hope.

Milk donation is no easy feat. Although seemingly simple in its execution, it requires significant time commitment from each of our donors. We are grateful to Andrea and to all of our donors for their generosity and time. The impact of donor milk is profound, and each ounce of donor milk creates a ripple effect of hope for critically ill, premature babies in the NICU.

Learn more about how to become a Milk Bank donor.