During a trip to New York, Serena created a stash of breast milk in her freezer that she didn’t want to toss and didn’t want to travel with. Been there? Instead of taking it home, she donated it. It’s crazy to think this superstar took the time and effort to do that. You go Serena!
Afterall, we moms got to help each other out. There are so many reasons some mothers do not breastfeed but still want to give their babies breast milk.
Breast milk is more than just food. It's packed with essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect babies against various diseases. For premature or medically vulnerable infants, breast milk can be critical for their survival and long-term health. This is where breast milk banks and donation centers come into play.
If you want all the ins and outs, check out our breast milk donation guide. But if you just want the jist it works like this:
Similar to blood donation, potential donors are screened for health conditions and lifestyle factors to ensure the safety of the milk. This process ranges from real formal to informal depending on where you donate.
Donor moms express milk at home and store it.
Milk is either dropped off or shipped to a milk bank or hand delivered to the recipient family.
At the milk bank, the milk undergoes pasteurization to kill any bacteria or viruses, without significantly impacting the nutritional and beneficial properties of the milk.
Once processed, the milk is distributed to hospitals or directly to families in need, often those with premature or sick infants.
By sharing her story on Instagram, Serena Williams not only contributed to a family in need but also helped to raise awareness about breast milk donation. Heck yes, some lucky baby is getting Serena Williams’ “super soldier milk”.
If Serena can do it, so can you! To get started, check out these resources on how to donate or receive breast milk.
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