A woman from Texas has broken her record for donating the largest quantity of breast milk by providing 2,645.58 liters to babies. Alyse Ogletree is a 36-year-old American woman who previously broke the same record by donating 1,568.79 liters of breast milk
She revealed how she first started donating the breastmilk. “Our first child, Kyle, was in the hospital, and I was filling the nurses' freezer. A nurse asked if I was donating, which I didn't know was possible, and that is when I learned about it.”
In July 2023, Alyse donated her breast milk to the Mother's Milk Bank in North Texas. As per the milk bank, around 11 preterm newborns can survive on one liter of breast milk. The bank listed that around 350,000 newborns have benefitted from Alyse's donations to the organization based on her computation, which is an exemplary feat.
I drank lots of water all the time. I stayed consistent. I ate healthy. I worked hard to pump like I did because I loved knowing how many babies I would be helping.Alyse Ogletree
Breastfeeding ensures child health and survival. Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants.
It is safe and clean.
Contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses.
Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year and up to one-third during the second year of life.
· Breastfeeding may help you lose weight
· Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract
· Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk for depression
· Breastfeeding reduces your disease risk
· Breastfeeding may prevent menstruation
At birth, the breast consists of a simple network of ducts. Usually during puberty, the glandular (milk-making) tissue part of the breast, begins to develop, and the ductal network expands. Then typically, further growth of the ductal network and glandular tissue during pregnancy prepares the breast for lactation.
Women whose glandular tissue is underdeveloped and have a condition called breast hypoplasia.
Health conditions associated with it, like polycystic ovary syndrome and other endocrine (hormonal) conditions.
A high body-mass index around puberty may be another reason.
Alyse wishes to help other moms and their infants and wants to educate other women about the benefits of breast milk donation. She also explained that she has never been diagnosed with any condition for overproduction; she was just always well-hydrated, ate a nutritious diet, and kept a regular pumping schedule.
She calls this kind of donation “One of the best feelings in the world."Alyse Ogletree Mother of two
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Swati Sharma/MSM)