Andria C., a two-time Mothers’ Milk Bank donor, reflects on her experience and shares wisdom for others looking to save lives through milk donation.
Tell us about yourself and your baby.
Andria: I’m Andria and I’m a mom to two girls. My oldest is four years old and my youngest is 16 months old. My girls love anything pink and sparkly. My youngest, Caroline, is still figuring out the whole walking thing – but in the meantime she’s great at climbing on furniture, tabletops, or anything else she can reach!
How did you end up becoming a milk donor? What inspired your journey?
Andria: My journey as a milk donor really started when I became a recipient. Both of my babies were born early and received donor breast milk in the NICU. With both my babies, my milk was slow to come in, and having access to donor milk gave me tremendous peace of mind during an already stressful time. Because other mothers had donated milk for my babies when they needed it most, I always hoped that if I was able, I could someday pay that kindness forward. I was lucky that I ended up having an oversupply of breast milk. Becoming a donor felt like a meaningful way to support other families, especially remembering those stressful first weeks.
What has your donation journey been like — easier, harder, more complicated, or more meaningful than you thought?
Andria: I’ve had different thoughts and feelings throughout my entire donation journey. With my first baby, my goal was just to donate a couple hundred ounces – just enough to feel like I’d come full circle. It was hard, really hard. This time around, I’ve settled into the routine, and even when I’m away from my daughter, pumping makes me feel like I’m still doing something for her and for other babies who need it. I also remember that my pumping journey is going to be such a short time in the grand scheme of life, so I really try to cherish it.
At the same time, the experience has been even more meaningful than I expected. Because donor milk took away so much of the stress and uncertainty I felt when my babies were in the NICU, donating carries a deeper significance for me. I remember exactly how worried I was about whether my babies would have enough milk. Knowing that my donation may help ease that same worry for another family makes every pumping session feel worthwhile.
What does “community” mean to you now, after going through this experience?
Andria: Community to me includes every single person who has ever cared for a baby.
Motherhood is such a unique journey, and while all of our experiences look different, we’re all part of the same club: doing the best we can for our babies. Donating milk has reinforced that idea for me. It’s a reminder that mothers support one another in ways both big and small, often without ever meeting. Some mothers donate milk, some receive it, and many of us experience both at different points in our journeys. Community is knowing that we’re connected through our shared love for our children and our desire to help one another succeed.
If you could send one message to the baby (or babies) who receive your milk, what would you say?
Andria: I would tell them that they are loved more than they know.
Even though I’ve never met them, I hope my milk helps them grow stronger and gives their families one less thing to worry about. They are surrounded by people who care deeply about them – from their own parents to the mothers who donate milk to help them thrive.
Is there anything you’d like to share with a mother considering becoming a milk donor?
Andria: I would tell her that there is so much meaning in donating milk, no matter how much you’re able to give. With my first baby, I only donated a small amount and I was incredibly proud of that contribution. You don’t have to donate thousands of ounces to make a difference. Every ounce matters to the babies and families who receive it.
One of the most special parts of donating is knowing that you’ve become a small part of another baby’s story. It’s a unique and powerful way to support families during a vulnerable time, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful to have been able to do.
Thank you, Andria! On behalf of all the babies and families you’ve helped through the years, we are so grateful!
