Donor Mom Emma never imagined that her premature birth experiences would lead her to become one of the most dedicated milk donors at Milk Bank WGL. Today, as a mother of three, Elijah, Ke’Mara, and Keonte Jr., she has donated over 5,800 ounces of breast milk, providing life-saving nutrition to countless babies in need.
A Premature Introduction to Milk Donation
Emma’s journey began when her first child, Elijah, arrived at 35 weeks. “I first heard about milk donation when Elijah was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU,” Emma recalls. “The staff offered donated milk until my supply kicked in.”
Fortunately, Emma didn’t need the donor milk as her own supply established quickly. But this early exposure to the milk banking system planted a seed that would soon flourish into something meaningful.
From Oversupply to Opportunity
What happened next transformed Emma from a potential recipient into a generous donor. “I quickly began overproducing, which allowed me to donate roughly 1,000 ounces in the first three months of Elijah’s life,” she explains.
This pattern of abundance continued with her second pregnancy. Ke’Mara faced fetal growth restriction and was delivered via emergency c-section at 36 weeks. While Emma was recovering from anesthesia, her newborn daughter received donor milk during her first critical 12-18 hours of life, a full-circle moment that deepened Emma’s appreciation for the milk banking community.
With Ke’Mara, Emma’s donation reached new heights. She contributed over 3,800 ounces before her supply naturally dipped during her third pregnancy.
A Source of Light in Postpartum
Now in her third round of donating with Milk Bank WGL, Emma continues to give back while nursing two of her children. Just last week, she donated another 1,000 ounces, a remarkable feat while exclusively breastfeeding two babies.
“It has become a source of light to be able to donate during postpartum,” Emma shares. “I love being able to provide for not only my two littles, but other babies who are in need!”
The Ripple Effect of Generosity
Emma’s story illustrates the beautiful cycle of giving within the milk banking community. What began as a safety net for her premature son has evolved into a mission that has impacted hundreds of vulnerable infants. Her donations have provided essential nutrition to babies in NICUs, supporting their growth and development during their most critical early days.
Through her generosity, Emma embodies the spirit of milk donation—turning personal abundance into community support, and transforming her own experiences into hope for other families facing similar challenges. According to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, donor milk can be life-saving for premature and medically fragile infants who cannot receive their mother’s milk.
Emma’s story is one of many that highlight the incredible impact of breast milk donation. For more information on becoming a milk donor, visit our donor resources page. If you’re interested in learning more about the milk banking community, contact your local milk bank to explore how you can be part of this life-saving network.
