Imagine filling nearly 700 one-gallon jugs with milk. That’s roughly what 36-year-old Texas mom Alyse Ogletree has donated in breast milk over the years. As of July 2023, she’s donated approximately 89,457 ounces to the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas, reclaiming her Guinness World Record for the largest individual breast milk donation.
As Ogletree explained, “Donating milk was a way I could give back. Mothers’ Milk Bank told me that every ounce would be feeding three preemie babies. If the three per ounce is accurate, I’ve helped over 350,000 babies.” Each ounce represented a chance to make a difference in a baby’s life.
Her journey began in 2010 when her first child, Kyle, now 14, was born, and a nurse noticed her unusually high milk production. “I was overproducing and throwing away milk, unaware that overproduction was unique and that other mothers struggled,” Ogletree explained. A nurse suggested she look into milk donation, and a light bulb went off: she could help countless moms and babies.
With each pregnancy, Ogletree found herself just as thrilled to donate milk as she was to grow her family. After Kyle, she welcomed two more children, Kage, now 12, and Kory, now 7, and even acted as a surrogate mom. “Every time I got pregnant, I think I was just as excited about donating again as I was about growing my family,” she said.
It’s natural to wonder if any condition might explain Ogletree’s high production rate, but she has never been diagnosed with one. Her body simply seemed to produce abundantly—and she was determined to use that gift to help others.
Why breast milk donation matters
Ogletree hopes to inspire other moms to consider milk donation and show how impactful it can be. “There are multiple ways to do it,” she shared, “but certified banks are the safest and the best way to ensure milk goes 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 breast milk to fragile infants. Her life-saving efforts are an undeniable testament to her extraordinary generosity and compassion.”
How to get involved in breast milk donation
If Ogletree’s story inspires you to donate, here are some ways to get started:
- Find a certified milk bank. Organizations like the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas or the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) provide guidelines for safe donation.
- Ask your healthcare provider. Lactation consultants or OB-GYNs can often guide you toward milk donation programs in your area or connect you with families in need.
- Consider peer-to-peer sharing safely. If donating through a certified bank isn’t an option, look into safe practices for direct donations, as some programs, like Tiny Treasures Milk Bank, accept local donations.
Ogletree’s record-breaking story shows the incredible impact of even one mom’s choice to share. Breast milk can be a lifeline for preterm infants and babies with health challenges. Whether you have an abundance like Ogletree or a little extra to share, every ounce truly counts.
