Mother donates thousands of ounces of breast milk to babies in need

MANSFIELD — Alia Ross of Mansfield knew she wanted to breastfeed her daughter Novaline. What she didn’t expect is that she’d help feed thousands of other babies.

After years of trying to start a family, Ross gave birth to a healthy baby girl last summer. She soon found her body produced more milk than Novaline needed.

Ross began pumping and freezing the extra, stowing it away for when she went back to work. She and her husband purchased an extra freezer for the milk and managed to fill it up.

Once Ross decided to stay home with Novaline rather than going back to work, she knew she needed to do something with the excess.

She hated the thought of pouring her time, work and nutrient-rich milk down the drain.

After hearing about the OhioHealth Mother’s Milk Bank at a lactation class, she decided to donate it instead.

She’s has donated more than 7,000 ounces of breast milk over the last nine months.

“The first time I came in, I think I kind of surprised them,” Ross recalled. “I’ve down regulated a little bit, but I still have a major oversupply.”

It was a full-circle moment for Ross. When her milk didn’t come in right away, she received donated breast milk from the hospital after giving birth to Novaline.

Nevertheless, Ross said the impact of her donations truly hit home when she spoke with other women in her lactation class whose babies spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“A couple of them came up to me after the class and were like, ‘Thank you so much for donating,'” she said.

“I appreciated it when I got it for (Novaline), but I didn’t really realize the impact was as close to home as it is.”

The OhioHealth Mother’s Milk Bank distributes about 35,000 ounces reach more than 50 U.S. hospitals per month.

Donated breast milk helps nourish premature and ill babies unable to breastfeed. It’s also the next best choice when there’s not enough of their mom’s own milk, Allen said.

The milk bank faced a critical shortage at the end of 2023, but Allen said the situation is improving.

Nevertheless, the bank is always looking for more donors. While Ross has donated an unusually large amount, Allen said donors don’t need to have that much milk to spare.

Every ounce counts.

“Anything is welcome. It does make a big impact,” said Lauren Allen, a registered nurse and full-time lactation consultant at OhioHealth’s Mansfield hospital.

“It’s such a selfless act to help the tiniest members of our community.”

How to become a breast milk donor

OhioHealth has donation drop-off sites throughout the state, including its Mansfield hospital, the Crawford County Health Department and Knox County WIC office.

OhioHealth also covers shipping materials and costs for donors who live too far from a donation site to travel.

All donors must be pre-approved before dropping off milk. OhioHealth provides donors with all the materials they need to donate at no cost.

To get started, donors must participate in a phone screening to verify their eligibility, fill out some paperwork and participate in a medical and lifestyle history review. They must also receive a comprehensive blood test to screen for certain infections.

Donated milk is sent to the OhioHealth Milk Bank, where it is pasteurized and cultured to ensure no bacterial growth.

Afterwards, milk is placed into containers, gently pasteurized and frozen again until ready for distribution.

Local support group offers community for breastfeeding mothers

Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally. It can be difficult for many women.

OhioHealth Mansfield hosts a breastfeeding support group for moms on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.

Allen said all mothers are welcome, whether they’re feeding with breast milk, formula or a combination of the two. A lactation specialist is always in attendance.

“It is a mother-driven, mother-led support group, but we’re there to answer questions if needed,” Allen said.

While it’s not a substitute for a doctor’s visit, Allen said there is a scale at the support group and the hospital can check babies’ weight.

Allen said research has shown mothers who attend support groups during their postpartum period tend to breastfeed longer.

“Our goal here at OhioHealth Mansfield is to make sure moms are meeting their breastfeeding goals and that may look different for each person,” she said.

“It may not be right for everybody, but our job is to support them, if they want to breastfeed, we’re here to help.”

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies

Allen said breast milk is the optimal choice for babies and has benefits that can’t be replicated with formula.

“Breast milk isn’t just nutrition, it’s also protective,” Allen said.

Breast milk contains antibodies that can help babies develop a strong immune system and protect them from illness. It’s also easier than formula for babies to digest.

Babies who breastfeed have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They’re also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.

Breastfeeding may also have health benefits for mothers. Breast and ovarian cancers, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are all less common among women who breastfeed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until a child is 2 years old or older. 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, breastfed babies who are born prematurely are less likely to contract necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) if breastfed.