Recipient spotlight: Sarah and Ricardo’s story

Natalia was born prematurely and received donor milk while she was in Mount Sinai Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her mother, Sarah, shared how this support helped give Natalia the best possible start during those critical first weeks.

“I first learned about donor milk after expressing my concerns about not being able to produce enough of my own milk due to a previous breast reduction surgery and a polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis. I assumed that my daughter would need to be on formula from the start. When I shared my concerns with the team at Mount Sinai Hospital, they informed me about the option of using donor human milk. It was reassuring to know there was a safe and supportive alternative available for her.

“I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when I learned that my daughter would be receiving donor milk in the NICU. Knowing how vital breast milk is for premature babies, especially its role in reducing the risk of infections and serious conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), made me incredibly grateful that she was eligible. Donor milk is not only easier for preemies to digest, but it’s also packed with the proteins and nutrients that are essential for their growth and development.

“Learning about the donor screening and pasteurization processes reassured me even more. I felt confident that she was getting safe, high-quality nutrition to help her thrive. The impact of donor milk has been profound. It gave her a stronger start in life when she was at her most vulnerable and gave me peace of mind during a very difficult time.

“Without donor milk, my daughter might not be growing and thriving in the NICU the way she is now. Every tiny weight gain, every sign of progress, is a step forward — and donor milk plays a huge role in that. By donating, you’re giving more than just milk; you’re giving fragile babies the chance to grow stronger and healthier and giving families like mine a sense of hope and deep gratitude. It’s truly an incredible gift.”

Thank you to Sarah and Ricardo for sharing Natalia’s journey and for showing how much donor milk can help during such a vulnerable time. Their story reflects the generosity of Milk Bank donors, whose gift of human milk helps preterm and medically fragile infants grow stronger each day. If you are interested in becoming a donor and supporting families like Sarah and Ricardo’s, please connect with the Milk Bank to learn more about how you can help.