One milk donor’s story of fear, hope, and the decision to donate her breast milk, helping to save countless lives while her baby fought for 280 days in the NICU.
This September, Mothers’ Milk Bank California honors Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month. We recognize the families whose courage and bravery bring hope across the globe. We celebrate the healthcare professionals who care for them and create healthy futures for our tiniest fighters, and we honor the thousands of milk donors who bring lifesaving nutrients to babies in the critical care of NICUs everywhere.
We sat down with Jessica Fell, who has donated more than 1,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to Mothers’ Milk Bank California throughout three hospital stays and the relief of finally bringing her baby girl home after 280 days.
Can you tell us about your NICU journey? What led to your baby needing care in the NICU?
Jessica: I went to the ER at 20 weeks pregnant with severe stomach pain that turned out to be appendicitis. My appendix had ruptured, and I developed a serious infection that ultimately led to preterm labor. Joanna was born at just 23 weeks, four months early, to keep both of us safe.
How is your baby doing now?
Jessica: Joanna spent 280 days in the NICU across three hospitals, including seven months at Stanford. Because of her extreme prematurity, her lungs and airway are still growing and healing. She received a tracheostomy at six months old and remains on a ventilator, which we hope will be a temporary bridge as she grows. She’s finally home now and thriving developmentally.
When did you first learn about milk donation, and what made you decide to do it?
Jessica: I first learned about donor milk during Joanna’s first week in the NICU. When she was ready to receive milk, she relied on donor milk for a few days while my own supply came in. For an extremely premature baby born four months early, human breast milk is so much more than nutrition. It provides antibodies and other protective components that support the immune system and gut, so knowing another mom’s milk helped Joanna in those first critical days made donating my own excess milk incredibly meaningful.
What was pumping like for you during such an emotionally intense time?
Jessica: Pumping gave me a sense of connection to Joanna, especially when I couldn’t physically be with her. During a time when I often felt helpless, providing her milk was something only I could do for her. It gave me a sense of purpose and made me feel like I was contributing to her care in a really special way.
Was there a moment when donating felt especially meaningful or emotional for you?
Jessica: Spending so long in the NICU and seeing so many tiny, fragile babies made donating especially meaningful. Joanna always tolerated human breast milk best, and it made her tummy the happiest. Knowing my excess milk could potentially do the same for another baby made donating feel incredibly special.
What do you wish more people understood about NICU families and their needs? How can we support families like yours?
Jessica: Give NICU families grace, and don’t feel like you have to understand exactly what they’re going through. Every baby’s journey is different. Be an open ear when they want to talk, but understand that sometimes we just need a break from talking about medical things and want to feel normal for a little while.
How did Mothers’ Milk Bank California support you through the donation process?
Jessica: Mothers’ Milk Bank California made the entire process so easy. They delivered the cooler promptly and arranged pickups right from our apartment, which meant donating never felt like one more complicated thing I had to manage.
What would you say to another NICU mom who’s considering donating but feels unsure or overwhelmed?
Jessica: Donating excess milk has been such a positive part of our journey. I never felt pressure to pump more or donate more than I was comfortable with. I simply donated the excess I had when I was able to, and over time that has added up to more than 1,000 ounces. I feel incredibly blessed that my body has allowed me to provide milk for Joanna and other babies who need it too. There’s something really special about knowing that milk your own baby doesn’t need could help another tiny baby grow.
Thank you, Jessica! We are cheering Joanna on every step of the way.
Learn more about becoming a milk donor during NICU Awareness Month.
