Local mom donates 2,000 ounces of breast milk amid shortage

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WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A local mom answered the urgent call for breast milk donations by dropping off 2,000 ounces to the Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes depot on Monday, Jan. 31.

Milk banks across the United States are suffering a shortage amid the pandemic and are looking for healthy, lactating mothers to replenish their stock. 

Brianna Beadle, the mom of an 8-month-old daughter, delivered the extra breast milk she's been pumping and freezing since her daughter was born. The 2,000 ounce donation is about ten-times the size of a typical donation. 

"I wasn't ready to quit pumping. I was happy to keep doing it, and knowing that all of the extra I had could go to a cause like feeding (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) NICU babies or helping mamas in need feed their babies, it was just an easy decision to make," Beadle said. 

About 80% of donations to Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes goes directly to hospitals, primarily for premature babies in the neonatal intensive care units.

A lactation specialist with Advocate Aurora Health told CBS Beadle's donation will help feed premature babies in the NICU. Breast milk is used because it helps the babies grow stronger. 

"It's almost like with blood. We've been short with the blood, too," Lori Kallin said. "Breast milk is kind of the same thing. It's vital for these babies sometimes. So, it's really nice that we're starting to get more questions and phone calls that (moms are) interested in donating."

Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes will be picking up Beadle's donation from their depot in the Aurora Women's Pavilion in West Allis on Tuesday.

If healthy, lactating moms are interested in becoming donors, they can visit Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes' website or call 847-262-5134.

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