To celebrate human milk in a big way, we worked with talented photographers in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, to tell stories of breastfeeding in all it’s forms.
In Louisville, Yero Pryor of Two Hearts Media, met with three families to capture this special time on film. Here are their stories.
Special thanks to CareSource for sponsoring this project. To see images from the entire campaign, make sure to follow us @themilkbank on your favorite social media channel.
CYARRA TURNED BREAST MILK OVERSUPPLY INTO A BLESSING FOR OTHER FAMILIES
The second-time around, Cyarra experienced an oversupply. “I had milk coming down to my knees and no more room in my freezer.” Cyarra searched on Facebook for a deep freezer and learned about the need for human milk donations. Cyarra’s donations have helped nearly a dozen infants.
Parents often turn to donor milk to support milk supply during illness or surgery, while some infants have long-term medical needs for donor milk.
Once Cyarra experienced the satisfaction of donating, there was no way to stop.
Cyarra’s experience of breastfeeding has changed her worldview. Before getting pregnant, “breastfeeding in public was such a weird thing. If I saw a mom in public feeding I would think ‘you are doing too much.’ Now that I have my own children, it’s changed my mind completely. [Breastfeeding] has been happening since the beginning of time…
Feed the Babies!”
GLORIA’S PUMPING JOURNEY AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC
Gloria was excited to learn of her pregnancy. She delivered her son Mateo at 37 weeks. The delivery happened via emergency c-section, and at the very beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. It was a very stressful time to be in the hospital. Mateo and Gloria were separated at birth. Gloria was encouraged to pump breastmilk for her son. In the meantime, Mateo’s care providers gave Mateo formula.
When discharged from the hospital, Gloria brought all of her frozen milk home and transitioned Mateo from formula to breast milk. During that transition, Gloria learned that Mateo needed breast milk more frequently than formula.
Gloria tried to breastfeed without pumping, but Mateo’s latch was very uncomfortable. Gloria focused on pumping because she “wanted to make sure he was given the best chance to thrive.”
Her pumping developed into an oversupply, providing far more milk than Mateo needed.
Gloria decided to donate her milk to support mothers who didn’t have the same milk supply but wanted to provide human milk to their infants. Gloria has generously donated over 1,000 oz to The Milk Bank!
MONE’S NICU BABY & MESSAGE FOR BREASTFEEDING MOMS
From the moment Mone found out that she was pregnant, she wanted to give her child the most natural food possible.
Doctors cautioned Mone that Yara would likely be blind, deaf and need further medical interventions, like a helmet. Mone continued to pump and provide her daughter with breast milk. Pumping was uncomfortable, but Mone continued knowing the impact it could have on her very small daughter. At 13 months old, Yara was able to successfully latch and breastfeed at the breast.
Today, Yara is healthy – beating the odds her doctors originally provided. Yara has begun some solid foods, and Mone is committed to breastfeeding until her daughter wants to stop. Yara “is offered breastmilk anytime she wants it – whether at the mall, a birthday party, or anywhere in public.”
Mone encourages anyone who is struggling to breastfeed to “give yourself some grace. Both of you are learning to do this at the same time.”
We’re so grateful to all the families who told their stories for this special projecting celebrating the power of human milk. Did your baby receive donor milk in the hospital? Did you donate your lifesaving liquid gold to The Milk Bank? Share your pictures and stories with us so we can celebrate you too!
