Breast Milk for Baby Logan: BREAST MILK DONATION FOR BABY LOGANBaby Logan is ...

Breast Milk for Baby Logan: BREAST MILK DONATION FOR BABY LOGAN
Baby Logan is ...: BREAST MILK DONATION FOR BABY LOGAN Baby Logan is a premature baby who is in desperate need of human milk. Baby Logan's Story ...

BREAST MILK DONATION FOR BABY LOGAN

Baby Logan is a premature baby who is in desperate need of human milk. 

Baby Logan's Story 

 My water broke at about 2:30 AM on November 18, 2011. I was soon at the hospital, having my bed tipped upside down, awaiting birth. For most mother's, delivery is a joyous moment. For me, it was full of fear, for I was having my baby boy too early. I was only 33 weeks and 5 days. I had PPROM, a condition in which the membrane rupture occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. As soon as it was confirmed that my water had broken, I was whisked away to the OR. My husband left work to rush to the hospital but there was no time to wait for him. Logan had to be born. As I lay there on the table, I anxiously awaited the arrival of my little man. At 8:20 AM, I heard a faint cry. Then all to soon, there was silence. Silence!!!! I knew not of what was going on. Then, I caught a glimpse of Logan as the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurses rushed Logan to the NICU. I didn't even have a name for him yet! Hours later, I got to visit the NICU and see Logan for the 1st time.

A mother's love 

He was here! A 3 pound 15 ounce baby boy measuring in at 17 inches. It was here I learned he had been named: Logan Bradley (named by my mother). I was allowed to touch him, talk to him, but not allowed to hold him, cradle him to my breast, or do anything that my motherly instincts screamed at me to do. It was clear, Logan was born all to soon, and needed help that I alone could not give him. He was needing help to breathe, 1st and foremost. Then, he also needed photo therapy for jaundice, learn how to regulate his own body temperature, and be strong enough to feed without burning too many calories to the point he wouldn't gain adequate weight.

Here he is grunting, trying to clear his immature lungs

The next day, I was released from the hospital. It was very hard to know I could go home but without my child in my arms. I stayed at the hospital as much as I could. I would pump the little amount I would get- a drop- but knowing it was what was best for my baby boy, change diapers, and take his temperature, awaiting the day we could take him home. But at least, he was now given a chance to begin eating!

 The next 15 days after this were exhausting. You see, I have a daughter who turned 1 year old 2 days after Logan was born. Her name is Larisa.

Larisa after her 1st haircut

I tried to celebrate her birthday the best I could along with traveling back and forth to the NICU. The hospital wasn't in our town, so I would have to drive back and forth, trying to be a good mother to both Larisa and Logan. I finally broke down. I told the doctor I needed help. I felt inadequate as a mother. I wasn't superwoman. And it broke my heart. So, I would pump, pump, and pump some more, drive to the hospital, spend time with Logan, clean the house, put Larisa to bed, and cry.

Until this day:

I can finally hold Logan :)

Each day, Logan grew a bit stronger.

Each day, I began thinking how soon he would be coming home.

 After many frightening days, nights, and episodes of Bradycardia's ( where his heart was beating too slow), Logan came home :)

One cheesy little boy happy he gets to come home tomorrow. 

Then the hard part began. When we brought him home, I had to continue to use the pump as Logan still couldn't latch onto the breast, so we had to continue using bottles. I was having supply issues and had been taking every herbal treatment I could to try and build my supply. The pump just wasn't working like we needed it to. I was working with a lactation consultant. We tried different bottles that claimed to help babies switch between breast and bottle. We used the nipple shield. Even began using the Medela SNS. After many weeks of trying to get him to latch, he latched! But it had left us with a dwindling milk supply.

 That's when I decided to seek help: From other mothers, who could provide baby Logan with their donated milk! Knowing Logan needed all the benefits of breast milk and knowing I couldn't provide all he needed, I began begging for help from other mothers in our area. We had an immediate offer of colostrum. And soon after more offers and more blessings. I watched in amazement as Logan began growing faster than I could imagine. When everyone in the home got sick, Logan was the only one who wasn't. He began moving around and his cries became forceful. Right then and there I knew what he needed; he needed Human Milk. And I became determined to provide him with what is best for him.

I also realized though that it would take more than just a few people to supply Logan with all he needed as these mother's also had their own babies to nourish. That's when I began a Facebook page for Logan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breast-Milk-for-Baby-Logan-Texas/341755099187648. Soon after, I became inspired by a story that touched me greatly: Milk for Baby Anthony. I soon contacted someone who could guide me on how to do a blog. If hadn't been for Baby Anthony, we never would have known how to reach out more, and soon, Logan would have been on formula :(

Now, we are again reaching out to our community, friends, family, and anyone who may be reading this story to ask if you would please help us find breast milk donations for Baby Logan. Breast milk provides Logan with the proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates that his body and brain desperately needs to continue thriving and growing. I cannot begin to explain the amount of gratitude we have for all those who are donating milk to Logan or otherwise helping us. Logan is solely dependent on help of others to keep him going strong.

Logan and family saying thank you :)

  It is best to reach us at Tiffany's (logan's mama's) email @ tiffanyr84@gmail.com or text 432-889-3434. We are setting up drop off locations for milk at this time at various locations. Please share this with all you can. And don't forget to come visit us at  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breast-Milk-for-Baby-Logan-Texas/341755099187648?ref=ts  for further updates :)