By Jean M. Drulis
Director and Co-founder
Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa

It was a race against the clock in the Time Check neighborhood and other areas of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 11, 2008. The rapidly rising Cedar River placed these areas in harms way and a mandatory evacuation order was issued.

Bonnie McCall was at her home in the Time Check area when her neighbor told her she must get out. Her husband, Scott Sullivan, was already gone, helping others sandbag. Bonnie had heard that if the levee broke, it would be less than two minutes before the water invaded her neighborhood. She grabbed what’s important - her nine-month old son, Ethan Sullivan, her frozen breast milk, a few personal items and drove away from the neighborhood. She believes “everything else can be replaced.”

The early morning message said, “I have some milk to donate. It is with me in my car. Can we meet soon?” It was Bonnie. She donates her extra milk to the Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa. She woke that fateful morning thinking about her donation. Her generous gifts of milk help tiny babies have the opportunity to thrive and grow.

Cynthia Pauley, program assistant for the milk bank, brought Bonnie’s milk to Iowa City. Bonnie told Cynthia that “she escaped with what are most important!” Her other store of milk, earmarked for Ethan, traveled with them to Mercy Hospital. She did not let the flood prevent them from participating in the Breast Feeding Support Group.

The McCall/Sullivan family has lived with relatives as they work sifting through the remains of their home, cleaning, removing cabinets and drywall. The breast pump was destroyed by the flood. Because of the unsanitary conditions, Bonnie expressed and dumped her milk when she was at Time Check. During those times, Ethan, under the care of family and friends, was gobbling up the stash of milk. There were three bags left, not enough for Bonnie to leave Ethan for another day of scrubbing. Bonnie called it quits at Time Check. She stopped going there with her husband and others. She remains with Ethan and is there when he’s hungry. She feeds him what’s important – her milk.

Scott and Bonnie attend City Council meetings. They do not know the fate of their home. They have not received permission to restore. They are on the list and are hopeful that soon they can move temporarily into a three-bedroom FEMA trailer. “It’ll have a kitchen and I can make bacon and eggs for breakfast,” smiles Bonnie. “And I’ll continue to breast feed. Ethan loves it. I love it!”

Ethan T. of Waterloo, Iowa, was delivered at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics seven weeks early; however, he could have arrived even sooner. 

At 16 weeks, his mother Lisa learned that the results of a blood test (quad marker screen) indicated a possible genetic disorder, trisomy 18.  Additional testing was indicated and Lisa had an ultrasound and amniocentesis done at UI Hospitals and Clinics. While these tests ruled out trisomy 18, they did show that her amniotic fluid level was low. Lisa made the 90-minute drive from Waterloo to Iowa City frequently over the next several weeks to have her amniotic fluid level monitored.

Her physician in Waterloo found that her fluid was leaking and rushed her to UI Hospitals and Clinics where she spent the next five weeks on bedrest. She celebrated her 30th birthday, their fifth anniversary, and Father's Day in the hospital. Each morning when the doctors visited, she asked, "Can I go home?"  She was told that every day that Ethan remained inside her could mean two days less for him in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

At 33 weeks, Lisa and her husband, Chase, were the proud parents of 4 pound 5 ounce Ethan Miles. On his second day, Ethan received 5 cc of donor human milk every three hours. On day three he received a combination of his mother's milk and donor milk. By the fourth day Ethan no longer required supplementation with donor milk.

While Lisa was bedridden she learned about donor human milk and its availability at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Lisa says she "pumped like a mad woman every three hours. I'd be getting up with him if he were home. It's all about supply and demand." She built up quite a supply, so much so that she became a milk donor. She said she wanted to give back

On August 2, 2007, at 38 weeks, Ethan was released home, nourished on Lisa's milk. At nine months he weighed 16 pounds 2 ounces. Lisa exclaimed, "It is very rewarding providing for him." She plans to feed Ethan her milk until he is at least 15 months old.

"I am so grateful to have been a small part of this program. It is such a fantastic way to improve the health of the children in our area. What a wonderful way to 'share the bounty' of the mother-baby breastfeeding bond with an infant who (for whatever reason) is in need of this perfect nutrition."

My son was fortunate to have been born full-term and healthy, and I was thrilled to be able to donate the extra milk produced. I am convinced that by pumping an extra bottle a few times a week, I kept my supply up so there was in fact more milk available for my son than if I had not donated!

There were many other benefits to my family (besides the satisfaction of sharing important 'medicine' with other babies). By being made aware of the few minor restrictions on donation, I was more observant of my own ingestion of medications, etc. I did not find the restrictions burdensome in any way.

With warmest wishes,
Lauri (and Jacob)

In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, I want to take the opportunity to express my support for all breastfeeding women.

Next to motherhood, breastfeeding my baby has been the most rewarding experience I’ve had in my life thus far.  Not only has it awarded me the opportunity to develop an unbelievable bond with my son, but also it has provided me with great comfort knowing that I have given him the best start to life

My positive breastfeeding experience has also touched the lives of countless other babies in Iowa, as I have donated over 200 ounces of my breast milk to the Mother’s Milk Bank at the University of Iowa. My milk, along with milk from many other Iowa mothers, is fed to infants who are premature, adopted, or whose mothers have an insufficient milk supply.

Knowing that my donation has helped other babies achieve the same healthy start that I was able to provide to my son, has made my breastfeeding experience entirely gratifying.

Sarah Goff
Burlington

I know firsthand how important breast milk is. My daughter was born nine weeks early and weighed three and one-half pounds. Luckily, I was able to pump milk for her while she was in the hospital. She never had any complications. We are convinced that breast milk made all the difference for her. She is now a healthy three-year-old who weighs 30 pounds and has never had any problems. We are very blessed.

Jenn, Latimer, Iowa

I have no doubt that the benefits of breast milk helped Amy (she was born at 25 weeks) in her struggle to grow and achieve the general good health she enjoys today. Some mothers, for a variety of reasons, cannot provide breast milk to their premature babies. It is for this reason that I wholeheartedly support the establishment of the Mother's Milk Bank.

Anne, Iowa City, Iowa

Our freezer was overflowing before I even returned to work and was told about the Milk Bank from the lactation consultant. I felt that it was important to share the blessing and give as much as I was able. The women at the Milk Bank were there to answer questions and make the process as easy as possible. It was my way of giving life to someone else. I was able to donate milk after two of my pregnancies. I would definitely do it again if the opportunity arose.

Elizabeth, Decorah, Iowa

With my second child I had an over-abundance of breast milk. The time spent pumping can be boring and repetitive, but knowing I was not only helping my child but many other babies made it much easier. I found the experience to be self-fulfilling, and I encourage any mother who is capable to consider donating.

Billi, Donnellson, Iowa