in which i give away hannah's lifeblood

i just sent off my first milk donation, approximately 220 ounces (44 5-ounce bags) which is everything i had in my freezer from june and july. i am so excited to have done this and cannot wait for next month when i can send off another batch, whatever extra i pump during august.

brian did not exactly understand why i would donate milk and who would need it. i explained that it could save a baby's life, because there are babies who have been abandoned at birth or whose mothers die (heaven forbid); mothers who are seriously ill with things like cancer, aids, or hepatitis, or have other health issues that prevent them from nursing their babies; premature or sick infants who need breastmilk but for whatever reason cannot get it from their mothers. there are mothers who have multiples, especially higher-order multiples, who simply cannot produce enough milk to adequately feed their babies. i pointed out to him that if something were to happen to me (heaven forbid), i would want hannah to continue to be "breastfed" with donor milk, because i strongly believe that is the best thing for her.

if you have the ability, please consider donating yourself. it's easy, painless, and can save a baby's life.