A kind-hearted mom has helped hundreds of thousands of premature babies by donating more than 2,600 litres of breastmilk.
Alyse Ogletree (USA) has reclaimed the record for largest donation of breastmilk by an individual with an incredible 2,645.58 litres (89,457.85 US fl oz; 93,111.55 UK fl oz) as of July 2023.
The 36-year-old, from Texas, first broke the record back in 2014 with a measurement of 1,569.79 litres (53,081 US fl oz; 55,249 UK fl oz).
Her donations were all made to Mothers’ Milk Bank in North Texas, although she’s donated even more that didn’t count towards her total, to close friends and Tiny Treasures Milk Bank.
Alyse said her favourite thing about donating breastmilk is knowing that she’s helping others.
“I have a big heart,” she said. “At the end of the day, I’m not made of money and I can’t give away money to good causes over and over because I have a family I have to support for.
She added: “If the three per ounce is accurate, I’ve helped over 350,000 babies. This record is for just under 89,000 ounces, but I also did around 37,000 to Tiny Treasures, and probably another couple hundred to close friends.”
This all began back in 2010 when Alyse gave birth to her first son Kyle, now 14.
She had no idea that donating milk was a thing until she found that she was making more than a normal amount of it.
She explained: “I was overproducing and throwing away milk, unaware overproduction was unique and other mothers struggled.
“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.
“I ended up donating everything I had saved up to that point and continued to donate for a bit.”
Alyse, who is also mom to Kage, 12, and Kory, seven, and has been a surrogate for another, went on: “I got pregnant with my second, Kage, I was excited I would donate again.
“A few months into the pregnancy, there was a news article about someone breaking a Guinness World Record[s title] for donating milk. I did the math and realized I would break that record within three months of donating again if my production rate was as it was before.”
Alyse continued her donations after daughter Kage’s birth and submitted her application to break the record for the first time.
She donated again following the birth of youngest son Kory and again after she acted as a surrogate mom.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” she said.
Alyse was never diagnosed with any condition that would explain her overproduction of milk.
She said: “I drank lots of water all the time, I stayed consistent with my schedule for pumping, I ate healthy, I worked hard to pump like I did because I loved knowing how many babies I would be helping.”
She’s thrilled to have her record back now, but admits she’s a little disappointed she didn’t manage to surpass the 100,000 ounces mark.
Alyse wants to spread the word about donating breastmilk, as she thinks that like her, other women might not realize they could be in a position to help other mothers and their babies.
She quipped that she kept donating milk “way too long” after her children stopped breastfeeding, but that she just loved doing her bit to help premature babies.
But Alyse produced so much milk that pumping really took it out of her.
She’d pump every three to four hours, and while it was easier while her children were still waking through the night, she needed to make the most of the rest time once they started sleeping for longer.
When asked what she wished people knew about donating breastmilk, Alyse said: “There are multiple ways to do it. Using certified banks is the safest and the best way to ensure their milk is going to those in need.”
Shaina Starks, executive director of Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas, said: “Alyse Ogletree has astounded and inspired us once again through her remarkable commitment to donate an incomprehensible amount of surplus breastmilk to fragile infants. Her life-saving efforts are an undeniable testament to her extraordinary generosity and compassion.”
Visit the Mothers’ Milk Bank website to learn more about donating breastmilk
N.B: The post, “Big-hearted mom donates record levels of breastmilk to help over 350,000 premature babies” – appeared first on Guinness World Records.