Katy Bannerman's breast milk packets were donated to mothers in need.
(CNN) -
When Katy Bannerman opened her freezer, it was overflowing with packages of breast milk - more than 234 liters, specifically.
During the coronavirus pandemic, this mother of two, from North Carolina, began donating her extra supply of breast milk to other mothers who are having difficulty breastfeeding.
Bannerman was inspired by her own experience to donate her surplus breast milk after she herself had lactation problems during the infancy of her first child.
But when she became pregnant with the second, she was determined to overcome her previous difficulties.
After seeking help from a private lactation consultant, Bannerman began producing more than she needed and expressed more than 2 liters of breast milk in one day.
So she decided to donate her surplus milk to help moms facing difficulties like the ones she had before.
“That was the type of person who wanted me to receive it (the milk).
Someone who had a problem with breastfeeding for one reason or another, "Bannerman told CNN.
Katy Bannerman had breastfeeding problems with her first child, but was able to overcome them with her second.
At first, when he started producing more than he needed, Bannerman didn't know what to do with so much extra breast milk.
She then turned to local Facebook groups where women maintained online communities around breastfeeding and breastfeeding, including requests for breast milk.
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Bannerman ended up posting about his surplus milk and received tons of messages from concerned mothers.
“I was so happy to donate.
At one point, he had constant people he donated to, who came every week, "he said.
Many women have problems with breastfeeding
One of the families that benefited from Bannerman's donations had recently adopted a baby and needed breast milk.
Another family had a baby who suffered from stunting, a condition in which a child's weight is significantly less than other children of similar ages.
Bannerman's breast milk supply was high in fat that could help increase the baby's caloric intake and make him gain more weight faster.
Empty bottles ready to be filled with breast milk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding sooner than they want to.
Some of the factors they cite are breastfeeding problems, lack of family support, and concerns about the weight and nutrition of their babies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for their first six months.
However, this happens only about 25% of the time.
During the infancy of his first child, Bannerman was only able to breastfeed for two months.
"I could not breastfeed as I wanted and that affected me in a horrible way," she said.
Bannerman, blaming herself for the situation and feeling like she had failed, was determined to seek the help of a private lactation consultant for her second child.
After successfully overcoming her breastfeeding issues, Bannerman now encourages women to seek out all the resources available to mothers.
"That's another reason donating was so important to me, that women could take care of themselves and their babies without guilt," Bannerman explained.
In October, Bannerman stopped expressing excess breast milk.
He donated his last supply in December.
Breastfeeding
